OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

[thenry]

Gang, I'm putting a post out here to figure out my problem, because so far, no one has been able to help. I am getting no spark on an 89 OMC Cobra 5.0. I quit getting spark when I was gapping a new set of points, and I haven't been able to get it back. I have double checked all of the wiring for the points, the gap is correct, all else is good. I have even gone as far as to replace the coil, still no f'ing spark. BTW, the condenser and the rotor were both replaced as well. Can somebody help me? In the process of jacking with the points did I trash something else? Would the ESA crap prevent the ****ed thing from firing? <br /><br />Also, does anyone know where I can find a remanufactured Holley carb for this thing? When it was running, it was pulling vacuum past the throttle shaft. Now that it isn't firing, i.e. no vacuum, fuel is leaking out! AAHAHAHAHAA! It's a 2 Barrel 300CFM Holley, part #80320. I'm looking for something under the $339 retail list price.<br />Thanks!<br />Tom

 

[JB]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

Howdy Thenry. Sorry about your problem. One part of your description is incorrect. The part that says," ...all else is good...". If all else were good you would have spark. I think you are correct in your suspicion that you "blew something" or made some small error.<br /><br />I wish I could help you beyond that, but I don't know what Ign. system you have and would just spin our wheels while I found out.<br /><br />An I/O -spert will be along in a while and help out.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[fone_man]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

Having worked on vehicles/boats with points plus EI... I would say you have bad set of points... have seen it happen. Put old set back in & see if you have spark, do you have voltage to points???<br /><br />Simple but can wear you out... what are you gapping them at... Details, baby!!!!!! That's what I need... I am waiting your reply!!!<br /><br />

 

[thenry]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

Here's more details. There are some things that I still don't know, but I'll tell you what I do know. I do have voltage to the hot side of the coil when cranking, so the juice is getting that far. I'm doubting that it's the points because I put the old ones back in, and I still have the problem. I have 2 new condensors, both no-spark, as well as 2 new rotors, both no-spark. I do not know if I have voltage at the points or not because I don't have a good meter. The scoop on the engine is that it's a Ford 302 with a Prestolite marine distributor.<br /><br />Help me Obi-wan-kanobi's, you're my only hope... almost. : )

 

[clanton]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

Remove all wires from - side of coil, check voltage, if you have voltage, turn engine until points open,reconnect wire to points, check voltage at ungrounded side of points, you have voltage, insure grounded side of points grounded to dist and dist grounded to block.

 

[fone_man]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

What facilitate changing the points/condensor in this unit???? The info you gave me is good but I am looking for the rest of the story... Worhing one weekend the next wouldn't start... WHAT????????<br /><br />I have got what it wont do, I've got where you have been so far... BUT what got you there to do this NOW... points/cond????<br /><br />Waiting on your reply......

 

[fone_man]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

Oh.... you do not need a hi-tech meter... only a test light right now... we want to know if you are getting anything!!!!!

 

[thenry]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

You guys crack me up. After pulling the boat out of moth balls and getting it running (half-a$$) I decided it was time to change the points. The old ones were really, really, dirty, and after doing a partial rebuild on the carb. it still wasn't running quite right. (I had to change the condensor and the rotor just to get the thing to run at all). This is not a situation where it was working one weekend, then not the next... more like, working one hour then not the next. Now, there have been some simple things that I haven't tried which I will and then I'll get back to you. The first thing being to check the coil wire (to the dist.) and see if I'm getting spark there, which I should be. In the mean-time, any other suggestions? I have one or two other things I'm going to check as well.

 

[fone_man]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

We are just trying to help...<br /><br />I need all the info... you have now given it to me... If this cracks you up then so be it... But I am not on top of our engine doing the normal things that I would check if I were there...<br /><br />So it simple & to the point... what you have change or moved or didn't connect back is causing your problem.<br /><br />You have to have voltage to coil, you have to have points gapped properly to open & close... if this voltage is dropping off or points are not making contact or they ground out... coil wil not work to generate the spark/voltage to ignite fuel in cylinder... this results in what you have... NO START CONDITION...<br /><br />I have put contact/points in my boat... won't fire... go back & eyeball them... close up a litle & fires like a dream & then re-check gap... BINGO!!! all ok... so something has happened in your process that has thrown it off... Good Luck & let us know what you found...<br /><br /><br />

 

[ODDD1]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

RULE #1 OF GOOD WRENCHING...IF THINGS GET WORSE, GO BACK TO WHAT YOU SCREWED WITH LAST!!!

 

[fone_man]

Re: OMC Cobra ignition problems, please *** , someone help me.

ODDD1.....<br /><br />Thank you... I guess when I built my Father his computer & he took it home... tried to put in extra harddrive... then said I think power supply went bad!!! Brings it back over 250 miles... I look in & said "what did you do"... you know the response "harddrive"... took out & it worked just fine... went back to where he started & I left him... worked fine.<br /><br />Same thing goes for engines.... you have a conflict somewhere... as ODDD1 & fone_man say... "go back to where you started"!!! <br /><br />But remember... you're problems do not crack us up... we want you to be on the water having fun w/family & friends & ing!!!!!<br /><br />Keep us posted...