Mercury Thunder bolt ignition sensor problem

[Rculmone]

I have 1999 Mercury engine it has the thunderbolt ignition the sensor in the distributor continually fails. I have replaced it five times. Each time the engine works fine for 2-3 hours then the sensor fails. Any ideas what is causing the sensor to fail.<br /><br />Its a merc 310 electronic ignition <br />rculmone@aol.com

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Mercury Thunder bolt ignition sensor problem

what do you mean it fails.........can you be more specific?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercury Thunder bolt ignition sensor problem

Did you check the bushings in the distributor? If they are worn out and the distributor shaft moves a lot, it can hit and destroy the sensor.

 

[Rculmone]

Re: Mercury Thunder bolt ignition sensor problem

Thanks for the help folks<br />I have resolved the problem.<br /><br />the v6 and V8 thunderbolt ignition systems have a service bulletin that discribes this problem. Apparently there is a ground fault in the ignition system. and if the sensor in the distributor is not grounded it will fail (cease to funtion) causing the engine to stall. There is a revised ignition sensor with a third wire (black) which is intended to be connected to ground. I installed the new revised sensor and the problem has dissapeard.<br /><br />Again thanks for the help<br />Richard