CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

[navywife09]

My husband and i bought a 1979 15ft larson last year. Was told it needs a new cdi box. does anyone know where we can purchase one? Agian for a 85 hp mercury outboard. Thanks.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Can you post the serial number as there are 2 types of ignition systems for the 850 Merc.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Sure i will do that tomorrow afternoon when i get home from work, and there is daylight to see.... Thank you for your response.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Because there is NO RETURN on expensive electrical parts, you really may be better off testing the ignition system to verify the module is whats needed.

Faulty connections, or a grounded ignition switch can falsely lead one to think a new module is needed.

All you need is a DVA Meter, spark tester, and a third hand or remote starter switch and follow the directions listed in the free Ignition Troubleshooting Guide.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

The Person we bought it from said he had it in the shop and they said it needed a cdi box. The serial number was really hard to read the 4th and 5th number are so wore out i could hardly make out what they are. I got 38721175 or it could be 38781175. Thanks for any help.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

So we found out the cdi box for this motor is obsolete.....so here sits a 1979 15ft larson with new floors, carpet, seats, and new rebuilt transom... with a non-working motor.....anyone want to buy a boat?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

If you look hard enough you will be able to find a used one on places like ebay, craigslist etc.

I also believe that an aftermarket ignition system upgrade is available. Search these forums for more info.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Did you check here?

http://www.rapair.com/Products/ApplicationGuide/tabid/58/language/en-US/Default.aspx

If yours is the 4 cyl then this should be your box

114-2986

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

got the new switch box on but boat still wont run....any ideas?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Time to get back to the basics. Don't make any assumptions. Test each of the electronics components individually as recommended in earlier posts. Narrow down the area of fault (electrical, fuel, mechanical) then address the specific problem.

Bring us up to speed on where you are and what has been tested, replaced, repaired etc. Need to get the whole picture before pointing you in the right direction.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

ok i know the spark plugs and wires are new. new cdi/switch box that replaces the older model. when trying to start it, there is no spark coming from the cdi box......

 

[CharlieB]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

You need to troubleshoot the system from square one to be sure that all components are capable of performing their tasks.

The stator makes voltage

The Switchbox stores the voltage

The triggers tell the Switchbox when to fire which cyl's coil

The Coil steps up the voltage to fire the plug.

Not so tough once you understand the individual functions.

Go to this site

www.rapair.com

Follow the links and download the free CDI Ignition Troubleshooting Guide, it has step-by-step detailed directions to test each component with a DVA Meter and decisively determine an ignition problem.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

thank you for the info. the link you posted say's it is not viewable.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Finally had a boat mechanic come look at the motor. and of course the motor is shot.... amazing how someone can sell you something that they had to have known was junk. I even told the guy we were buying the boat with the money my husband got for re-enlisting in the naval reserves......real nice guy...........

 

[j_martin]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

I bought a used car that had a bad starter once. I said once.

I feel for you. It's gotta be tough to be trusting and get taken.

John

 

[daveswaves]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

Finally had a boat mechanic come look at the motor. and of course the motor is shot.... amazing how someone can sell you something that they had to have known was junk. I even told the guy we were buying the boat with the money my husband got for re-enlisting in the naval reserves......real nice guy...........

With all due respect to the "boat mechanic" did he test anything or just look at it and declare it shot? Many mechanics do not like to work on the older mercs, or don,t know how and simply declare it shot to avoid the job. If you have compression on all cyl and you are just chasing a no start problem there is lots of expertise on this board that can and will walk you through it step by step. You need someone that can measure voltages for you and report the results.

 

[navywife09]

Re: CDI box for mercury 85 hp outboard

He came to our house and took it completly apart...tested everything.....it basiclly needs to be rebuilt.....He even said it looked to had been sumerged at one point.....he went over everything with my husband and i....sure wish i wouldnt have bought that brand new $235 switch box!!!