97 force 120 has no spark

[force lover]

hello!
i love this site! been reading for 3 days!!!!!lol i have had my starcraft with a force 120 since 97!!!!! and most of the threads i have readi am already had to deal with on my own!!! But here is one i have not had yet aand didnt see on here! I took my boat out the other day for first time this season.... started and died did it a few times ...figured it was just cold from sitting up all winter... couldnt get it to start ,......brought it home and found i had no spark....but yet the boat fired 3 times ...i know carbs are good i have those mastered!!!! lol plugs look good ,,,,,not sure if it is trigger or stator?? was told by local parts house probably trigger...just want a second opinion.....and what would cause it to go bad???? or since it is electrical is it just one of those things when it goes ,,,,it just goes,,,,any feed back would be appreciated,,,,,,thanks

force lover

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 97 force 120 has no spark

To check the stator, disconnect the White/Green and Green/White wires that come from the stator. They should read 500 - 700 OHMS between the two wires from the stator. If not, the stator is bad.

If it checks out OK, check the ignition "Kill" circuit. Make sure the kill switch is working properly, and the lanyard is attached. To completely disable the Kill circuit, unplug the Black/Yellow wires run from the four CDM modules (coils) from the wiring harness. If the engine starts, you can kill the motor by engaging the choke (flood it out). Also make sure that the ground (Black wire) from each of the CDM modules is making good contact with the CDM module mounting plate. I believe they're all tied together under one bolt that is screwed into the mounting plate. There is also a ground wire that goes from the CDM module mounting plate to the engine block. Make sure that it's also making good contact. I believe that there is a service bulletin that recommends that an additional ground wire be added between the mounting plate and the block.

 

[force lover]

Re: 97 force 120 has no spark

Bigger problems!!!

I tested got absolutley sqwat!!!! so i took fly wheel off!!!! And found i have a busted magnet!!! aparently its been this way a while as it has warn one side of the stator flat!!!!! So I found a fly wheel at a local bone yard for a $100 bucks already had the stator and trigger ordered!!! going to replace all over it!!! being she is 14 and always been good to me she is long over due for some big time TLC!!!Thanks again pnwboat for all your help!!!!! i read three days before joingin i will now be a regular on this site as it proves to very helpful!!! I will wrote and let you know final outcome of everything until next time.....


MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU......


FORCE LOVER

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 97 force 120 has no spark

If you change the trigger, you'll have to double check the timing. CDM ignition system is a little different than the older Prestolite systems. If you check the timing with the engine in the water running at WOT, it should be 30? BTDC (kind of dangerous, spinning flywheel acts like a buzz saw when it come into contact with flesh) . If you're checking it in your driveway at cranking speed (static timing method, much safer) with the throttle wide open, it should be set to 32? BTDC. Good luck and happy boating!

 

[force lover]

Re: 97 force 120 has no spark

back again!!

thanks for the info lieutenant!!! i thought all i had to was just take them off put new ones on!! and put fly wheel on cause its in exact postion from when i took it off! My problem is this,,,,,, they want more for a new fly wheel then it is worth,,, and a local bone yard wants to sell me a flywheel with 6 magnets and says,,,,, use acid to break apoxy lose and re apoxy it back in,,,,,and what kind of apoxy do i use to put them back in ????? not sure if i should take the chance???? what do you think guys???? any info would be great!!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 97 force 120 has no spark

If you change just the flywheel and stator, you don't need to check the timing. If you change the ignition trigger, then yes you'll have to check the timing. I agree, the price of a new flywheel is ridiculous. You said the local boneyard has a flywheel with six magnets on it for $100. Sounds like it might be the type of flywheel you need. Yours should have 6 magnets. Is there any reason that you can't use it?

Never tried using acid to break the epoxy loose. I've taken a hand held propane torch and heated the outside rim of the flywheel right where the magnet is and popped them off. Use any high temperature epoxy like JB Weld, PC-7 etc to glue it back in place. Make sure the spot on the flywheel your gluing to is clean and free of any rust.