1990 Force L-Drive 90hp -- Can't get it to idle -- losing my mind :D

[jerryjerry05]

Damnit. Pinched wires on the stator and totally created an open circuit.

This problem and similar problems, when it happens is the hardest thing to troubleshoot.

 

[Redbarron%%]

Non-logical self inflected faults are difficult to troubleshoot and this is the reason to me careful and logical in your working.
Jumping from thing to thing and failing to be careful generates many problems that could be avoided.

 

[Solace]

Non-logical self inflected faults are difficult to troubleshoot and this is the reason to me careful and logical in your working.
Jumping from thing to thing and failing to be careful generates many problems that could be avoided.

Live long and prosper.

 

[racerone]

The saga goes on and on !

 

[Redbarron%%]

I have worked as a maintenance and troubleshooting guy for 50+ years and have not seen everything, but I have seen a lot.
Usually when I arrive on the scene troubleshooting and repairs have been attempted.
Sometimes more issues were installed doing this work.
Looking, making measurements, thinking through the action and the cost of making mistakes.
Logical step by step troubleshooting and repair and especially confirming what you intended to do and really did really counts
I don't intend to demean you, but you have been your own worst enemy and cost yourself time and money.
Be careful with your work, careful with your expenditures and pay attention to those who are trying to give you all of the help you will take.
There is a century or two of experience on these motors here and most have gone out of their way to help when the first reaction of most would be to ignore this thread.
Live long and prosper Nanu - Nanu V

 

[Solace]

Ok here she is running on 2 cylinders, then if I touch the throttle even a little, it jumps over to 3.

You can SEE and HEAR this.

any theories to why?

 

[The Force power]

Ok here she is running on 2 cylinders, then if I touch the throttle even a little, it jumps over to 3.

You can SEE and HEAR this.

any theories to why?

Intermitted connection on the trigger wires, inspect the trigger-wires/terminals for the one that's not firing

 

[Solace]

Intermitted connection on the trigger wires, inspect the trigger-wires/terminals for the one that's not firing

They both have 50 ohm resistance as per spec, they seem to be fine physically.

 

[Solace]

Intermitted connection on the trigger wires, inspect the trigger-wires/terminals for the one that's not firing

Could this be some other issue with the trigger and should just replace the whole damn trigger?

 

[The Force power]

Could this be some other issue with the trigger and should just replace the whole damn trigger?

Sure, change the whole thing or one wire has break when moved in a certain way

 

[Redbarron%%]

You could try removing the trigger coil and carefully inspecting it and checking the resistance with your meter while you flex the wires. If you can localize the problem perhaps you can repair it. (carefully)

 

[Solace]

You could try removing the trigger coil and carefully inspecting it and checking the resistance with your meter while you flex the wires. If you can localize the problem perhaps you can repair it. (carefully)

Yes, I hear you on this one, I’ve done it — trigger and stator check out solid. No change in resistance. This is how we what was initially wrong, my leads had all been open, the wire was old and cracked at the terminals. 4/6 lol

 

[jerryjerry05]

Thought I mentioned bad connections on the trigger leads???
1988/85hp: started off with an intermittent miss, once the motor got hot the miss went away.
Then the miss became more pronounced and would miss every now and again under power.
Then it became a constant miss.
One lead from the trigger, I found the wire had broken under the shrink wrap at the connector.
As I was fixing this another wire came loose.
I just replaced ALL the connectors, even the stator leads and the leads from the wiring harness too.
Never had another miss.
Do the tug test on the wire/connector.

 

[Solace]

Sure, change the whole thing or one wire has break when moved in a certain way

Thought I mentioned bad connections on the trigger leads???
1988/85hp: started off with an intermittent miss, once the motor got hot the miss went away.
Then the miss became more pronounced and would miss every now and again under power.
Then it became a constant miss.
One lead from the trigger, I found the wire had broken under the shrink wrap at the connector.
As I was fixing this another wire came loose.
I just replaced ALL the connectors, even the stator leads and the leads from the wiring harness too.
Never had another miss.
Do the tug test on the wire/connector.

I have inspected the trigger leads, there was indeed a problem with it which was repaired. All trigger leads are now working properly.

 

[Solace]

Thought I mentioned bad connections on the trigger leads???
1988/85hp: started off with an intermittent miss, once the motor got hot the miss went away.
Then the miss became more pronounced and would miss every now and again under power.
Then it became a constant miss.
One lead from the trigger, I found the wire had broken under the shrink wrap at the connector.
As I was fixing this another wire came loose.
I just replaced ALL the connectors, even the stator leads and the leads from the wiring harness too.
Never had another miss.
Do the tug test on the wire/connector.

Re-reading this -- I will double check the trigger wires.

 

[Solace]

I’m out on the water, looks like it’s firing on 3 but lack of power.

note: if I move my timing gun “down the wire away from the coil pack, moving toward the spark plug” my flashes slow down dramatically on CYL 3. CYL 1/2 do not exhibit this behavior.

Is it possible a coil pack is weak? They are all brand new from Crowley within 2 months.

 

[Solace]

swapped coil 2/3 and the same problem occurred on coil 3.

so it’s either coil 3, CDI 3 (which is its own unit), or wiring still.

going to swap CDI circuit to the spare circuit, see if that does anything.

is this logic???????

 

[Redbarron%%]

swapped coil 2/3 and the same problem occurred on coil 3.

so it’s either coil 3, CDI 3 (which is its own unit), or wiring still.

going to swap CDI circuit to the spare circuit, see if that does anything.

is this logic???????

It is possible that it is. try swapping coils. that would be the next easiest cheapest trial.
I have no experience with the Thunderbolt system with two CDI packs., but if the trigger from #3 fires #2 I would think that it is OK. So either the coil or the CDI box OR some other wiring issue with the #2 box.

 

[Solace]

OK. Swapped the entire CDI module out with the same result.

#3 is still firing, just weak. Swapped it's CDI, checked trigger and stator resistances, all OK.

I swapped 2/3 Coils:
- Using my timing gun I can get it to light up, sliding the timing gun lead down the wire results in lower and lower spark frequency.
- So I put on my spark testers on #1, #2 and they fire like mad. Great.
- Put spark tester on #3 and NOTHING.

So I'm extremely confident during all this messing around and learning I probably damaged Coil #3. Will order replacement and post results.

 

[Solace]

Hi all, I can happily END this thread. Finally got my new coil pack, swapped it out, engine is running on all 3. Never sounded better. Will post some water test videos soon.