Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

[VT_RainMan]

I just bought a 1974 Glastron V179, Volvo Q 130C motor and Vovlo Penta 270 outdrive. I'm completely new to boating and this forum. I posted this question in the Glastron section. But I think that might have posted in the wrong place. Other Post

Anyway, I replaced the points this weekend because they were fried. She turns over. But, no spark to the plugs. But, here's where it gets interesting. I left the ignition switch to to the ON position for less than a minute and noticed smoke coming from under the cap. I pulled the cap and the points were melted. The battery is grounded directly to the block... is there a crossed wire somewhere. I haven't messed with any wiring yet. Everything is the way it came. Anybody have any idea where to start looking? A bad condensor wouldn't cause that, would it?

Second question: I have a coil on the way and they told me I needed an external resisted coil. So, where is the resistor located? And could that be anyway related to my points melting issue?

I have a shop manual coming in the mail. But, I wanted to get a jump start on this. Any help or advice would be great.

BTW: I've found a ton of useful info on this site. This forum is awesome!!

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Anybody? Any guesses? I'll take any comment! Tell me I'm an idiot for buying this boat. I am already in agreement!

Anyway, I'm going to start cleaning up all of the wire connections and replace as many wires and connectors as possible. I imagine this is a bad grounding issue. The boat sat oustisde uncovered all year... everything was soaked. Probably just a lot of corrosion going on. Wiring was on my list of todo's anyway. I guess I'll start that earlier than expected.

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Somebody could at least say hi... welcome to the forum. LOL BUMP!

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Hi........Welcome to the forums.

If your points melted you obviously have fire and ground at the distributor. Possible problems are coil, coil wire, rotor, distributor cap or points not set right.

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Thanks... I was beginning to think I was invisible.

Anyway, I was wondering about the points. Because, I didn't set them... I let my girlfriend's father do it. I think he set them at .018 Is that about right? I should've double checked them though. Maybe he wasn't fully on the high point?

I'm getting a new coil, points, rotor, condensor, and cap. They look almost as old as I am. I'll also double check all the wiring before I do anything next time. Hopefully, it will all work out better next time around.

Then I have to hurry up and winterize the boat. I think that's another reason I got the boat so cheap.... only an idiot like me wants to mess with a boat motor this close to winter. LOL

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I don't have the point gap specs but it should run at .018, may not be right but should run. Don't neglect the coil and plug wires. May as well replace them too.

 

[alaska_av8r]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I am not sure about your specific setup but an external resistor on some boats is actually a wire that may be fed from the electric choke, the power source for the coil while the engine is starting is 12v through one wire, then after starting and running it is appx 9v through the wire from the electric choke (which is the resistor).

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I don't have the point gap specs but it should run at .018, may not be right but should run. Don't neglect the coil and plug wires. May as well replace them too.

Yeah we weren't quite sure of the specs either. But, figured that would be good enough to get it going. Plug wires and coil are definitely going in.

I am not sure about your specific setup but an external resistor on some boats is actually a wire that may be fed from the electric choke, the power source for the coil while the engine is starting is 12v through one wire, then after starting and running it is appx 9v through the wire from the electric choke (which is the resistor).

No kidding... thanks!!! That is what I have been trying to figure out. so the resistor is actually the choke? That would explain why I couldn't find an actual resistor. I'll have to take the choke out and make sure it's cleaned up and free of any corrosion too.

I really need to get those shop manuals. I have Seloc, Clymer, and a Volvo Penta shop manual/parts list books coming. I Figure you can't have enough info. I was actually considering on getting a compatible auto manual too. But, I think I might be going overboard. LOL

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Hi, I was looking for prop advise and found your question. My husband and I have the same boat. We worked out all the problems with it last summer and it now runs awesome! We know this boat inside & out. We have the volvo penta motor with the dual carbs. The wiring on this boat is tricky. It sounds like you have a direct hot going to the points. Do you have a fuseable link from the main wire to the coil, starter, condenser? Because the fuse or condenser or coil should burn up before the points do, so something is definitely wired wrong. If you haven't figured out your problem already let me know, I'll go out and take a pic of our wiring set up for you.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

pretty common thing to have the points melt on you. With a points ignition you CANNONT leave the key on and engine off... they will melt every time!!!!
It this point your probably looking at a new points set, new coil, might as well grab a ballast resistor while your at it. If you haven't already, a full tune up is probably in order so go ahead and get a cap and rotor, wires, plugs ect....
Your going to need a good multimeter that does dwell, to get the points set right. or a seperate cheap multimeter(for troubleshooting) and a seperate cheap dwell meter (you can get them at sears)
Try and get yourself a volvo manual if your going to do the work yourself.

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Old Thread
November 1st, 2007​

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Nov 1st isn't old.....most of our boats have been in hibernation since then. Now it's time to get working on them.

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Hi, I was looking for prop advise and found your question. My husband and I have the same boat. We worked out all the problems with it last summer and it now runs awesome! We know this boat inside & out. We have the volvo penta motor with the dual carbs. The wiring on this boat is tricky. It sounds like you have a direct hot going to the points. Do you have a fuseable link from the main wire to the coil, starter, condenser? Because the fuse or condenser or coil should burn up before the points do, so something is definitely wired wrong. If you haven't figured out your problem already let me know, I'll go out and take a pic of our wiring set up for you.

Thank you... I might take you up on your offer. I do have the original type of fuse block that connects to the engine block... however, when I was down to the last one... I disconnected it and ran them through a typical automotive fuse junction. Maybe I had the wrong amp fuse? but, something is definitely wrong... for the fuse to blow everytime. It's been so many months now. I can't remember everything I tried.

pretty common thing to have the points melt on you. With a points ignition you CANNONT leave the key on and engine off... they will melt every time!!!!
It this point your probably looking at a new points set, new coil, might as well grab a ballast resistor while your at it. If you haven't already, a full tune up is probably in order so go ahead and get a cap and rotor, wires, plugs ect....
Your going to need a good multimeter that does dwell, to get the points set right. or a seperate cheap multimeter(for troubleshooting) and a seperate cheap dwell meter (you can get them at sears)
Try and get yourself a volvo manual if your going to do the work yourself.

I thought with the resistor (ballast or resisted wire)... the points aren't supposed to fry like that? I couldn't find any information on the resistor and location anywhere.... anybody have any info on that?? I'm wondering if I should convert over to that pointless system??? I don't remember what was involved... but, it seemed like a good idea last fall.

I did buy all of the tune-up items, bought a clymers, seloc.... and a very badly worn copy of the original manual.

Nov 1st isn't old.....most of our boats have been in hibernation since then. Now it's time to get working on them.

True... thanks for everyone chiming in. This was my last desperate attempt to fire her up before putting her asleep for the winter. I still have a few feet of snow blocking her in... which is rapidly melting. Hopefully, in the next week or so, I can try again.

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Some automotive things work and some don't. We kept the original fuse box, We also had a problem with the resistor thing, the starter would get very HOT!, but it has been since last summer and I can't remember what we did to fix it. I know we have an internally resisted coil and an external one, I just forget what one is on the boat. I vaguely remember something about a purple wire, my husband couldn't figure out what it was for, I think it turned out to be the resistor wire. We never fried any points, if it is wired properly, points don't fry. It took us all summer to dial it in but once we figured it all out it was pretty basic and the boat runs way better than expected. We usually get a snow in April, so we haven't uncovered it yet. When we do I'll take a picture of the wiring for all that stuff and post it.

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Does anyone know if the 3.0 Ohm resisted FlameThrower coil will work on this engine? I don't want to dish out the $65+ dollars for a direct replacement. I also think I am going to get the Pertronix or Hot-Spark conversion kit. I'm done with the points system.

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Or maybe someone can just tell me what is a direct replacement for this coil?

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Hi! I finally got a pic for you. If you haven't already bought a coil, I'll go see what ours is.

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

Another Picture close up. If you have any specific questions just let me know. We just pulled the boat out because we might take it out this weekend. It fired right up! Whoo hoo!

 

[nyteez]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

The coil is a Blue Streak UC12X (use w/ external resistor).

 

[Hitech]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I have the Hot Spark on a AQ120 and it works great. I do NOT have a ballast resister and therefore the coil had to have one built in. I used a VW coil as suggested by the Hot Spark instructions.