mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

[upnorth]

I have a 96 Mercury Tracker 60 hp with no spark. Took it out one day when the temp. was in the teens and the starter relay didn't really want to work all the time but it ran good when it started. Next day it was in the 20's it cranked a couple of times then wham, no crank over, changed the relay but then there was no spark. I switched all the wires over from one relay to the next so no wires got crossed. The engine cranks but I have no spark at the plugs. So I put the old relay back on, still no spark. (it cranks though) All that I can tell is that the tach has power going to it because I watched climb while cranking. Read thru the pages on ignitions but it made no sense to me. The kill switch (red button) seems to be ok because when I pull the terminal apart then put it back together the alarm beeps like normal when i turn the key. Im a pretty good shadetree mechanic but when I pull that cowling off it looks like a nightmare of wires and black boxes. any ideas on how can I troubleshoot this thing with a fluke meter and licked fingers would be a help.

 

[Rex]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

You said the tach was working.<br />did the you check the fuses.<br />Could be something assimole as that.<br />I would think so because the change the<br />"RELAY" I would bet that's it. It started and run fine before you did that.<br />You said it' crank fine now?<br />Are you sure the battery wasn't low?<br />Did you have to tap the relay to get it to<br />engage?<br />Did you try to crank it the next day before<br />changing the relay?<br />Rex A.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

Hello upnorth:<br /><br />As REX says....be sure the battery is up.<br />If it is , try here.<br /><br />web page1<br /><br />web page2<br /><br />Hope they help!

 

[DJ]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

Upnorth,<br /><br />You didn't say where you got that relay. It could very well be wired differently internally.<br /><br />You should see voltage on both of the small terminals when the engine is cranking.

 

[Rex]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

Write to Trent and he will send you the information that will help you.<br />He is very good at it.<br />Rex A. Hubble

 

[upnorth]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

Thanks for the help rex, schematic and djohn. first the fuse is good, checked voltage to the starter seloniod/relay and have 12.75, but i don't have power to any of the ignition or ground terminals (if that is what the post are for) took old relay apart, wire to small terminal intact. the new relay came with the boat. it takes about two weeks to get parts here usually so the old owner had a spare. rex, who is trent? and how many fuses do i have? i only found one on the engine itself.

 

[Rex]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

There should be a panel under the gages.<br />There should be about 5 to 10 depends on<br />the electrical system.<br />Do you know where the hot wire or the terminal is. If so use a jumper from the <br />battery to the post and see if you get spark <br />then. But check on the fuses first maybe it<br />is just one. Do you have voltage to the <br />relay? That just to engage the starter but <br />if a hot wire comes off of that then you will<br />not have pawer to the system.<br />"THINK ABOUT THE JUMPER BUT BE VERY CAREFUL"<br />Do not want to hurt the engine.<br />What type of volt meter do you have?<br />Put a 2 amp fuse in line if you do use a <br />jumper.<br />Pull-up OUTBOARDPARTS.COM AND CHECK UNDER<br />MERCURY Troubleshooting. I hope you find it.<br />Rex A. Hubble<br />GOOD LUCK

 

[upnorth]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

hey rex,<br /> just went out and found out that i have spark to all the plugs when they are not in the cylinder but grounded to the motor casing. put them back in and wham, no start, no spark using a screwdriver stuck in the spark plug wire to the motor casing. im going to go check what you suggested cause i don't have a clue. by the way thanx for the help.

 

[Trent]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

If you have fire at the sparkplugs with the plugs out and not with them in do this.<br /><br />Check for a dragging starter/low cranking speeds. Then dissconnect the regulator/rectifier and retest. If the problem goes away replace the regulator/rectifier.

 

[upnorth]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

trent,<br /> ok, my rpm is around 600 when cranking. next, i am in the dark as to where my rectifier and regulator are. im trying to find a wiring diagram for this thing to no avail. seeing how i live on an island i can't just go and pick up a manual either. any idea as to where it is on my engine? thanks

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

There was a site online where you can put in the motor model number and it gives parts breakdowns on it. mercurysomething.com??

 

[upnorth]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

yepblaze,<br /> thanks, i found it at mercurymarine.com. it was hidden on the side but now i at least know where the regulator is and what the rectifier looks like. thanks again.

 

[upnorth]

Re: mercury tracker, no spark, no clue!

FOUND the PROBLEM. It was the regulator. i want to thank all the people who helped me out on this, i would have been kicking the thing forever. now i just got to get a part shipped up here. thanks again.