Have a 1986 "US Marine" Force 85HP PN 856X6L SN 5376 on a 16 foot 1986 Bayliner Capri. Are there any CD ignition modules that will interchange with the black units I have, PN 300-888787 or 116-5301. I see a lot of the later model blue CD units for sale on eBay and other sites, not many black ones available and they are as old as the ones I have now. Does anyone know if the blue units will work in place of the older black ones? The blue ones look to have the same number of wires but with different color codes. I just bought this boat, quickly educating my self on the Force 85HP unit and aftermarket CD units. When I got this boat the number 2 spark plug was not firing, I have a manual on this engine, understand the concept of the way each CD unit fires two ignition coils, eliminated the ignition coil and spark plug as the problem. With the spark plugs out (Champion UL18V) I observed a small silver spark on them when cranking on #1 and #3 plugs. I bought one used black CD unit on eBay for $49.00 (Boat shops want $453.85 for a new one) and now I have a FAT blue healthy spark on #1 and #2 plugs, #3 plug is inoperative now!! I double-checked the interconnect, all OK according to my manual. Is there something about a diode in these packs that can cause this problem of the other CD unit not operating now?? I have a second CD unit on its way from the same eBay seller, still want to know if the later blue units can be used on this engine. (I intend to keep a good spare unit in the boat at all times if I ever need to change one out on the water). Any help would be appreciated!! john@johndperry.com
