No spark from coil

[ejput]

I have a 2001 Merc 5.7 EFI/TBI. Had a no start issue this summer, got it back on land and started working on it. A few days ago I replaced the coil and coil wire. I did have to reposition distributor housing shaft and finally had it running. Today I went to dynamic time the engine, grounded the ignition base timing wire (purple/white, I believe that is what it's called) and went to start engine, no start. Rotated the distributor housing in different directions, still nothing. I then put a spart tester from coil to cap and had not spark. Coil is new so there must be something else going on. Any thoughts?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Usually the ecm controls the timing? all you do is install the rotor in its a marked position and the computer does the rest
Need the full engine number to determine the correct manual number
This is free to read

Client Challenge

 

[ejput]

there was no marked position, I had to get the #1 cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke then line the rotor up with the number one plug and micro adjust from there to get it strated.

 

[Bt Doctur]

if you have the HVS type dist(flat cap) ,there is a marked position

 

[ejput]

Thunderbolt 5, not a flat cap.

 

[nola mike]

Here you go

How Mercruiser Thunderbolt ignition systems work.

Mercruiser Thunderbolt ignition systems. Mercruiser introduced the Thunderbolt IV onto their engines in 1982, alongside the introduction of the 1-R drives. The TB-IV system was used until the introduction of TB-V mid-way through 1996. Thunderbolt V was an improvement on an already exceptionally...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Fun Times]

2001 Merc 5.7 EFI/TBI and I went to dynamic time the engine, grounded the ignition base timing wire (purple/white,

Being that you have 2001 year engine model EFI that would (should) still the MEFI ECM controlled engine model you wouldn't be grounding out a purple/white wire and if that is the case, I'd have to believe at minimum, you blew a fuse somewhere possible depending on what actual wire you grounded out as that method should only be used on most V6 and V8 Carbureted Models (Thunderbolt V Ignition) systems.

In the following linked guide about halfway down covers how to time the V6 and V8 EFI Models (EFI Ignition) but using a needed service tool to help get you into service mode....

Or to bypass buying a tool then the following way to do that can be found inside the next following linked guide by Dave_N via jumping pins A & B of the data link connector where you'd plug a scan tool in...,

Make a Marine EFI code tool for less than $1.00 - Offshoreonly.com

Do It Yourself, Boating on a Budget - Make a Marine EFI code tool for less than $1.00 - Some of you may know this trick, but I thought I would share it in hopes that it helps some folks. It is very easy to make a simple, but very useful, Marine EFI Code reading and clearing / Base Timing Tool...

www.offshoreonly.com

CodeMate Code Flasher – 94008 – Rinda Technologies Inc.

Rinda Technologies Inc. Marine and Industrial Engine Diagnostic Tools

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rinda.com