Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

[stp119]

I am new to the boating world. Force 1989, 50 HP cranks but won't turn over. I replaced the spark plugs, have new gasoline with oil mixed, checked the fuel filter, cleaned battery connections. What can I do next? Please help.

 

[JB]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Howdy, Pod Dog.<br /><br />Check if you have a hot spark to all cylinders. <br /><br />Then try spraying a bit of premix fuel into all carbs before you try to start her. <br /><br />If she still wont pop, run a compression test.<br /><br />Let us know what you find.

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

We held the spark plugs, one at a time against metal and didn't get a spark. The wires look good and so do the coils. We'd rather not replace them until we know for sure that they're the problem.The spark plugs are weird though, they're the kind that are flat on the end.I don't know if that is why I can't get a spark. <br />Also, do you think its okay that there is small amount of gas spitting out of the carburator while we are trying to start it.

 

[JB]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Howdy, Pod Dog.<br /><br />Did this engine ever run for you? How long have you had it?<br /><br />Is the kill button out and the clip in place?<br /><br />You need a manual and a multimeter. <br /><br />Let us know when you are ready.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Lanyard!????<br /><br />There maybe is or was a thing like you see on jetski's a small piece of plastic that attaches to a coiled cord to you so that if you fall out the motor will stop. If this thing is needed for your motor and not in place it will not run or have spark.

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

I bought this boat a month ago. The owner has not had it running for a year and a half. He hit a rock and it needed a new lower unit. I installed the new lower unit. <br /><br />I do not have a manual for the boat but I just ordered one for the engine. I should get it in the mai soon. <br /><br />I think we are on to something with the kill switch. I am not sure how it works. When I put the plastic cap on top of it, it only makes contact with the round portion that it clips onto. It does not touch the button at all. Is it suppose to push the button in and then if pulled away, release the button shutting off the engine? Like I said, I am new to the boating world and this is the only way I am going to learn. Thanks, pod-dog

 

[revertmastec]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

YES, The plactic clip should slide into the groove and push the button in. When you releas the clip the button comes out and the circuit is then incomplete and kills the engine.

 

[JB]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Mine all work the opposite of that. You have to pull the button out to insert the clip. If you pull away from the console the clip pulls out and the button goes IN to kill the engine.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

It looks like my kill switch is no good. The button does not spring back. Is there a way to wire around it? Or where can I get a new switch?

 

[DJ]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

pod dog,<br /><br />Just take the kill switch out and TEMPORARILY connect the two wires together that go into the switch. Presto-I think it will run.

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Still no luck. I connected the two wires for the kill switch. I don't think I am getting a spark. Is the next step replacing the coils or should I try something else.

 

[JB]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Hey, Pod Dog.<br /><br />On most kill switches they kill the ignition by grounding the trigger or points. Disconnect the wires from each other unless your Force is opposite this. <br /><br />Get out your manual and your multimeter. Check that your ignition switch provides +12V to the ignition circuit as shown in your manual. Then troubleshoot the ignition according to the manual's instructions.<br /><br />Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Hey, I had a problem with the kill switch once, and a mechanic told me to disconnect a wire from the wiring harness where it connects to the engine. I cant remember the color, I know JB and the other experts will know. <br /><br />After I got it running, I had to choke the engine to get it to quit though.

 

[y-knot]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

You have to determine what ignition system you have. On my 89 -125hp I have the CDI ignition (type III) system. According the shop that launches my boat, this was a change over year-you may have another system. The 50hp also came with the type III system, but check the manual when you get it. (It pretty easy to tell the difference) If you have this system, it works on the priciple of grounding out the coil (not a full explanation)to kill the engine. If you go to your coils, you will see three wires. One goes to the CD unit, one goes to the plugs and the other goes to ground. Disconnect the ground wire and you will have disconnected the engine kill circuit. On the 125hp it is one wire for all four coils, I'm not sure on the 50hp. This should disconnect the kill swich for both the key and the I believe the deadmans switch, (the Seloc manual doesn't show the deadmans swich in the circuit.)<br /><br />If you can start the engine, either your key swich or deadman's switch is the problem. Also, review the manual on testing for spark. If you try pulling the plug and seeing if it jumps the gap, you can damage the type III system(caution in the manual.) <br /><br />PS---READ THE NOTE BELOW!<br />Good Luck

 

[y-knot]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

One very important note- <br /><br />When you remove this ground and the engine starts, you now do not have a way to kill the engine. Be sure to figure out how you will kill the engine in advance. Also, the voltages on these circuits are very high. Dont touch any of the wires directly-us a well insulated tool and be very carefull if you try this. All this is covered in the Seloc manual, so you may want to wait until you get the manual and read the section first.

 

[Grant Ingle]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

It can be very difficult to see the spark jump across a gapless plug. If you have a comventional styled plug try testing for spark with it. Avoid cranking the motor over with spark leads ungrounded. Trust me the spark will find a way to ground and normally it will shoot through a wire or insulator to reach it. This can damage the electrical components of your ignition system. Generally, a no spark condition results from just a few things.1 loose or damaged wiring (possibly under the flywheel) 2 faulty stop circuit/bad ground 3 bad stator/primary charge coil 4 faulty switchbow/powerpack/ignition module. The manual will definately help.

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Still no luck. I checked and I don't think I am getting a spark from either plug. Do you think the coils are bad? What can cause both to go at the same time. They cost $60, should I buy one and see if I get a spark?<br /><br />Thanks, pod-dog

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Hey Guys,<br /><br />I learned a little more about my engine. I ran a compression test and got 65 psi from the top plug and 75 from the bottom. The manual says I should get around 120. Does this mean my engine is shot or is this normal? Thanks, pod-dog

 

[stp119]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

Thanks for your help guys. It looks like my compression is running lower than I thought. I had a friend run a test and he came up with 40 psi. Since it is a Force I think I am just going to look for another engine. <br /><br />pod dog

 

[park007]

Re: Force 50 HP 1989 Won't turn over

pod-dog... i don't know if you read my recent post yet.. i am having a similar situation with my '86 Force 50hp. One thing i did notice is that when you are testing for spark if you don't have the end of the plug EXACTLY right on BARE (NO PAINT) metal, you will not see a spark. It had me fooled with the bottom coil, i had it just touching some paint a little bit and it wouldn't spark.