electronic ignition vs. points & condensor?

[dquigley]

I bought a boat with a after market (prestolite)electronic ignition. It ran fine up until I changed my alternator. Could the alternator be sending to much or not enough juice to the batteries causing my ignition module to fail/burn/or anything?<br /><br />Sincerely, the boat nut.

 

[Trent]

Re: electronic ignition vs. points & condensor?

Are you shure you dont have the "Pertronix" system?? Whats the problem? No spark at the plugs? Check for 12 volts at the plus side of the coil with the key on.<br /><br /> Tech Info

 

[dquigley]

Re: electronic ignition vs. points & condensor?

Thank you for the reply, I am unfamiliar with message boards. I am almost positive it is a Prestolite ignition. I have the part number that I bought (3854077). Maybe it was the wrong one. If that was the case, would it have started after I put the new one in? I can't tell if I have 12 volts at the positive side of the coil. How would I check that? A volt meter? Can I tell if the alternator is good or bad? I just installed a new one, it was the exact duplicate of the one I took out. SOOOOOOO confused. Please help.<br />

 

[Trent]

Re: electronic ignition vs. points & condensor?

Using a voltmeter. Turn key to run position. Check for 12volts at the positive of the coil. To check alternator. With key on check the voltage at the battery, It should be about 12.5 volts. Then crank and run the engine to about 1500RPM to make sure the alternator has come on line and then recheck the battery voltage while running. It should go up to around 13.5 to 14 Volts. If the voltage stays where it was before cranking the engine the alternator is not working.<br /><br />You got to fix the running problem before you can check the alternator. By the way whats your make, model and year?

 

[dquigley]

Re: electronic ignition vs. points & condensor?

Trent, Thanks for helping me. But I CAN'T start the motor. When I turn the key to the on postition the volts on the gauge is under 10. I have minimal spark coming from the coil and no spark at the end of the plug wires. I have tried to hot wire it with no luck.<br />It is a 1988 24' bayliner trophy, 305 omc cobra. I have replaced the impellar, thermostat, pullies, belts, exhaust manifolds and risers, coil, ignition module, and alternator. I had a overheating problem, fixed that.. Now this, it ran after I changed the ignition module for about 6 hrs on the water, went to start it again and it fired up and sputtered out from sitting all night, started again at 1000 rpm's let it warm up and dropped back the rpms to neutral ran for 15 seconds and died. Now it won't start at all. Stuck on the water again. second time in 3 outings.<br />Should I change it to a points and condensor starter? What will that do? I am told that will atleast eliminate the thought that it is my ignition module.<br />What do you think?