1989force outboard not firing on all cylinders

[Poormansboating]

Ok I'm new to all this forum stuff but have read alot of good stuff maybe someone can help. I've got a 1989 85hp force outboard. The moter set for 10 years or so. I got it running starts first time only problem is I'm not getting any fire on the bottom cylinder. I'm new to working on boats. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Poormansboating]

There are two wire on the terminal block that are not connected as the terminal block is broken but I have one on order. Also none of the wires that are attached seem to be color matched to diagram on engine but it runs so I haven't messed with them.

 

[roscoe]

Welcome to iboats Poorman. ( aren't we all?)

Gonna guess you have a bad cd module, with no output to the bottom cylinder.
The good news, is that each of the 2 cd modules has 2 outputs, and you only need 3 of them for your 3 cylinder engine.

You can try the unused output.

Or you can swap the 2 cd's around, and see if the problem ends up on a different cylinder.

 

[Poormansboating]

Sounds good I will give that a try when I get off work today. Thanks for the help. Do you they the two wires may have something to do with it? Looks like they come from under the flywheel and hook up to the terminal block which is broke in half. I have one that ordered that should arrive today or tomorrow.

 

[jerryjerry05]

No fire on #3 You can switch the packs and see if the no spark follows the change?
The way the wirings set up you can't just swap the wires to the unused set.
Now if the #2 wasn't firing then you could swap the packs.

Try the tug test: the trigger wires are very thin and break easily and the wire's held in by the heat shrink at the connector: tug gently on each trigger wire to see if one might be broken under the shrink wrap(I just replace them all, SOP when I'm having trouble with a no fire on one cyl.
The no fire can be from the stator too, test it. outboardignitiondotcom has test procedures. Just need an analog meter for the simple tests. For the more advanced need a DVA or Peak Reading Volt Meter, you can get an adaptor for the DVA on ebay.

 

[Poormansboating]

I know I have heard alot of bad about these force engines but as I said before I have 50 hp force that runs excellent with no issues just a little under powered for boat and as for any engine in my experience if you keep it up and do regular maintenance it will take care of you. Thanks for your help Roscoe. I will update what fixed my issue once I solve so maybe it can help others also.

 

[Poormansboating]

Good deal I will tug the wires tonight when I get off work as this moter set along time. Do you have to remove the flywheel to replace the wires.

 

[Poormansboating]

I've read that if the stator was bad It wouldn't run. The engine does run actually runs and idles well and revs ok. Never had this engine on the water. I want to get it right before I put it on my boat and if I pull the bottom plug wire off it doesn't change anything. If I pull the top two plug wires off the engine does.