SportJet 175 - no spark

[mainetango]

I have a 2000 SS Tango with SportJet 175. This season it has been a hard starter when cold. Now it won't start at all. Starter cranks, but I don't think I am getting a spark. I checked No. 1 and 2 plugs (one from each bank) and I don't think there is a spark. I don't have a spark tester, so I just held the plug against a cylinder head bolt and looked for a spark across the gap. While someone else cranked the engine, I didn't notice a spark. Is this an OK way to check for spark on this engine?

I also noticed that the at least one of the yellow wires from the Voltage Regulator to the Stator got hot enough at some point in time to melt the weathertight seal at the bullet connector. I can still measure continuity, but it makes me think something went wrong. When I perform the diode and SCR checks on the Voltage Regulator, I get open circuit all the time, which leads me to beleive the Voltage Regulator is blown. Any opinions on that?

Can I continue to troubleshoot the igntion circuit without the voltage regulator? Or am I wasting time or inviting further damage?

In reading posts, this sounds like a stator problem. The procedure in the shop manual for replacing the stator calls for use of a special flywheel puller. Has anyone done this repair successfully without this tool? Any recommendations?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: SportJet 175 - no spark

Rapair/CDI has an excellent Ignition Troubleshooting Guide posted on their website, also post somewhere here on iboats, find it, and follow their guide to test/troubleshoot any ignition problem.