Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

[IceBreaker]

This thing must be haunted!, 1986 bayliner capri, aq131a, 275.
first off it all started when I noticed it hard to start at the begining of the season 2 different times, but it did start, then I put in water ran great went about 5 mi, then it died and hasn't started since but will turn over also lost tilt then bilge pump

since then i have replaced:
Ignition switch twice, funny thing turn key nothing not even a click, turns over when i jiggle the starter relay box but still no start
coil
points set @ 0.16 does this have have a condensor? seems as though it should, if so I don't have one or cannot locate it? ran fine before without one?
fresh gas
starter relay box I think thats what it's called?
fresh battery
in line fuse the big one
under dash 2 fuses
checked wires from ignition front to rear I,S,B..
checked, hit, smacked the big red reset button on engine.

seems as though I'm not getting any spark to the points in fact i'm not.has to be electrical not getting fire from coil to points, seems as though i've exhausted my skills what else is there???
at this point i'm lost not sure what to do from here
I've tried all other suggestions from previous post without success.
can anyone lead me in the right direction. Help!!!

Thanks to all that have been helpfull

Icebreaker

 

[slia67]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

seems as though I'm not getting any spark to the points in fact i'm not.has to be electrical not getting fire from coil to points,



Icebreaker

Your points provide a ground to the coil. The coil should have constant power to its "+" pole, and intermittent power to its "-" terminal.

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

So your saying the problem is between the coil and the distibutor? should this have a condensor?, also what role does the relay have in conjunction with the coil and distributor, or alternator if any? could the problem still be in the ignition although it has been replaced? not sure where to go from here!!..

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

With points you do need a condensor. Check your grounds to make sure they are clean and good connections. Also check your ballast resistor.
resistor.

Good luck

Rob

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

With the key in the run position, what is the voltage at the + terminal on the coil?

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Ok, where is the ballast resistor? it doesn't show it in my documentation?, I know the condensor is usually in with the points but it looks like there was never one there? where else could it be?
I'll check the "+" of the coil tommorrow and let you know the reading I get.
I have to go back and fourth to work on boat!
Thanks for the help, "I'll be Back"

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Ok, where is the ballast resistor?

You don't have one.

I know the condensor is usually in with the points but it looks like there was never one there? where else could it be?

There isn't one inside, it's mounted on the outside of the distributor housing. Since the distributor is only about 3" in dia., it shouldn't be that hard to find.

What you need more than anything is the proper OEM service manual for your engine. It's Volvo PN 7732007 and will cost around 20 bucks from you local VP dealer. Forget about the Seloc or Clymer. The Clymer even has the wrong firing order in it.

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

ok, getting somewhere now replaced relay and now tilt works fine.
power from the coil is around 4+v "+" side, at the points about the same.
so I'm getting voltage to everything but points and plugs no spark to either?
located and removed the condesor finnaly, this is the only thing left that I can think of that would prevent spark to the points and plugs. does this make sense?. all input greatly appreciated

Icebreaker

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Make sure the points are OPEN, then check the voltage at the coil again.
Also, your distributor should be hooked to the - side of the coil, incoming voltage from the ignition switch will be on the + side.

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Thanks for all the helpfull advice

well after intense troubleshooting and massive hair loss I finally got her to fire
turns out it was the CONDENSOR!!! replaced and fired right up first time, everything was getting proper voltage except from the points to the plugs!only getting 4+v at the points and nothing at the plugs..

So now I have another issue and question go figure:
I set the points 0.16, runs great purrs like a kitten no hesitation penty of power, seems after awhile when i turn it off it wants to deisel after choking it shuts off, go to start back up and either takes awhile like no gas or sounds like the battery is dead slow turn (fresh battery by the way!) and runs like crap, I check the points at high Cam and they are closed! reset the points and viola! runs great starts first hit of the key, it seems as when it chokes or deisel I know the points need reset and this is my problem and has done this to me 3 times so far why wont they stay gapped am I setting the points wrong?? my bible doesn't explain this in my opinion the right way, very basic and lame info.
can anyone help

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

On those engines, they are very picky about the tunup, and you really don't what them dieseling when you shut it off, or you will end up with water sucking back into the cylineders.
Using a feeler gauge to set the points is recommende to get it close enough to run so you can use a dwell meter to set the dwell. the book gives you 62?3?. but I have found that 62 to 64 is the best for starting and idle. Then the timing MUST be reset, timing changes with the setting of the points and must be at 6? BTDC at 850 rpm.
Then adjust the carbs mixture and idle speed. Idle at 900 rpm.
To high an idle will cause dieseling.
Also be sure to let the engine idle for a minute or two after a run to allow it to cool down before shutting off.

 

[tswartz]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

I've been having the exact same problem with my AQ131A. My question is where do I find replacement ignition parts? (Points and condenser) I've found several places on-line with the points but no condensers. Also is there a special caulking to seal around the lower unit to the boat? Thanks!

 

[MikDee]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Check your distributor shaft for play, just push on it sideways, and see if it moves? That's the only way your points would not stay set. Could be a bad dist. shaft bearing, or bad distrib.

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

well, well!! success! found out the problem used aftermarket points come to find out the Nylon cam on the points were actually Melting do to heat from the Distributor shaft causing the points to close replaced points 2 times same thing. after realizing that,
("cheap lesson learned") put origional points back in and wow runs perfect no poping, cracking, hesitation everything as should be.
I noticed the origional points have a composite cam must be to withstand the heat. I've came to the conclusion that next season if not sooner,

I will be converting to the pertronix II Electronic Ignition
does anyone no where I can find it at a fairly cheap price and maybe a
part # to go by i have vp aq131a, 275.. will I need the distributor model# also are they a pain to replace or set up
I've herd alot of mixed emotions when replacing from points to electronic, any do's or don'ts??......

Thanks for all the Help, Info and Direction, you Guys are Great..

Icebreaker

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

The problem with the points wasn't that they were melting because of heat in the shaft, they were wearing and melting because you didn't lube the cam lobes of the distributor. Your old points probably still had enough lube on them to keep from wearing.

 

[Hitech]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

This is the one I'm getting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...e=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1&viewitem=&item=220130796126

The model number for the distributer is stamped on the side. If you don't find yours listed you can email the seller as ask it it fits (it probably will).

 

[IceBreaker]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Don, the lobes were very well coated, Lubed probably more than any should be, because of the first set that melted!, I could actually see the material melting on the distributor shaft from the heat hot to the touch!! that Nylon might hold up in a car but not in this aplication with nothing cooling but water?. the old ones were dry as a bone!....

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

I bought the Pertronix I, model #2842 if I remember correctly. Takes about the same time to install as it takes you to drink a beer, very simple installation. You can also throw away the ballast resistor, and while you are at it might as well replace the coil with a flame thrower. All that work should take no more than 2 hours. I have heard only good things about the Pertronix ignition. In one post, one person who installed it claimed he gained 300 rpm at WOT. I am in the process of restoring my boat, and hope to fire it up for the first time this weekend. It also has a AQ 131.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[pearldiver57]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

Do yourself a huge favor. Buy an electronic ignition kit, (cheap on ebay), I bought the hot spark kit for $38 bucks. No more point checking, weak spark, my condensor kept dying out or shorting or just getting wet with moisture. It (the condensor) is screwed to the distribtor in an impossible place to undo without pulling out the distributor. My motor has been purring since
pearldiver57

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Aq131a has me stumped?

pearldiver, welcome to iboats, but look at the dates of the posts you reply to. This one is from 3 months ago. Hopefully he has his problem fixed and is no longer looking at this thread for what to do.