NO SPARK

[ETAGA]

I HAVE A 1983 MERCURY 115 HP INLINE 6 2 CYCLE WITH A TYPE VIII IGNITION SYSTEM. I HAVE NO SPARK ON EVERY CYLINDER EXCEPT #6, WHICH HAS GOOD STRONG SPARK. THE RED WIRE FROM THE IDLE STABALIZER TO THE LOWER SWITCH BOX (TOP RIGHT TERMINAL), THE COVERING ON THE WIRE LOOKS LIKE IT GOT HOT AT SOME POINT AND WAS MELTED A LITTLE. DOE'S ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THIS IS, AND IF SO WHERE CAN I GET A GOOD DEAL ON THE PARTS TO FIX IT.///// SWITCHBOX?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: NO SPARK

Hi<br />I'm not a merc expert but if its the same as a 79, the red wire appears to be a charge lead. It could have gotten hot by reversing battery cables or even a rectifier failure. If this engine has one ignition coil and a distributor, I'd be pulling the cap off and inspecting cap rotor and carbon brush contact in cap. Also check the plug wires and connections. If you have spark on one cylinder, the coil, switch box and distributor trigger must be working. I'd inspect the high voltage distribution first, then the trigger in the distributor. I could be way off if this isn't the same as a 1979 ignition. <br /><br />Hope this helps.....

 

[ETAGA]

Re: NO SPARK

THANKS ANYWAY, BUT THE IGNITION SYSTEM ON THIS ENGINE IS DISTRIBUTORLESS, IT HAS SIX COILS, TWO SWITCHBOXES, TRIGGER AND A STATOR. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ OF OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, THE SWITCHBOX IS AT FAULT FOR THE MISSING SPARK.

 

[12Footer]

Re: NO SPARK

This is true, TwoGuns, but the switchboxes generally fail,leaving half the jugs firing,and the other 3 not firing. Not to say you don't have a bad one, but I would check the trigger for pulse first,and the stator too, since the red wire is burnt (might have damaged the stator).If you must pull the flywheel,inspect the key and keyway,and also the magnets (for a missin one).<br /><br />Other than that, I'm lost.