do I have a resistor wire?

[snlgraham]

1980 16' Baretta 140 mercruiser 3.0<br />I have been chasing an ignition problem for weeks now. I bought this boat used this spring and previous owner reported similar problems. My latest hunch is the resistor wire or should I say lack of one. My coil says external resistor but when I put a multimeter to the positive lead on coil and pin 5 in the connector it shows no resistance 0-ohms. Of course this test is from the Clymer manual. From what I'v been reading on this forum the Clymer is not the best(I got it because of the girl in the bikini on the front).I am wondering if the previous owner replaced the coil and put the wrong type in? Should my engine have a resistor wire? Can I just throw a resistor in this and see if it works?

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Please clarify <br />"ignition problems"<br />be very detailed a specific.<br />I know someone here will<br />give good advice, but only<br />if you use the right terms and<br />phrases

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

The engine runs great for 15min or so and then it will miss. Is loses power and eventually dies. I have rebuilt the carb, replaced fuel filters, new points, rotor, condenser, coil, plugs. When I put in the new plugs rotor and condensor it ran great for 15min and then had the same problem.<br /><br />My guess is that the condesor is having problems because of no resistor wire and eventually fails then it begins to miss and then a plug or two fouls. Does this make sense?

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

The resistor wire limits volts<br />to the coil, have you checked<br />the volts at the + side of the coil?<br /><br />Running good 15 min is curious,<br />when and what do you do to restart?<br /><br />Will it restart immediately and run 15 min?<br />If not how long untill it will?<br /><br />Have you verified fuel to the carb when it<br />loses power and dies? Check the accel pump<br />for fuel in bowl?<br /><br />I have some thoughts but want to mull it over<br />thanks for more info, keep it coming

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

I have not checked volts at the coil. I will do that tommorrow after work.<br />I can usualy get it restarted with throttle way up but it still runs bad. When I check plugs they are black and wet. If I put in new plugs and condensor it runs good.<br />I am pretty sure it is not a carb issue. It has plenty of gas. This rochester 2barrel was simple to rebuild. It has very few adjustments.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

With the points closed and the ignition on, measure your voltage. Should be around 7 volts if this is an external resistor coil. If it measures 12V, turn the ignition off, remove the wires from one side of the coil and measure the resistance across the positive and negative posts. If it is an internal resistor coil you will get around 3 ohms. If it is an external type, you will get around 1 ohm.

 

[Don S]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

The engine runs great for 15min or so and then it will miss. Is loses power and eventually dies

Plugged fuel tank vent, plugged screen on the end of the pickup tube in the fuel tank would be my first thoughts.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Originally posted by Don S:<br />

The engine runs great for 15min or so and then it will miss. Is loses power and eventually dies

Plugged fuel tank vent, plugged screen on the end of the pickup tube in the fuel tank would be my first thoughts.

To see if it is cause by a venting problem, try running with the gas cap off.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Don, funny thing... I do remember a strange squeaking sound coming from the direction of the fuel tank. I sure hope your right this problem is driving me crazy. I will check it tommorrow. Thanks very much!

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Sounds to me like your flooding out.<br />Black wet plugs after 15 min, increase throttle running rough. <br />Typical of rich condition.<br />is there oil fouling? sounds possible.<br />The float level can be tricky on this<br />so called simple carb.<br />I would verify theres gas in float chamber,<br />and look for an over flow in the carb throat.<br />if thats prooves ok i would look at oil fouling.<br />comp check, hotter plug.

 

[DaveM]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

It sounds like a fuel starvation issue to me. I would start with Don's list and then add the fuel pump as an item to check.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Checked the fuel tank vent and pick-up tube, they are fine. The fuel pump puts out plenty of gas. I think I have the float right because I got it wrong the first time and made a mess. I went back and re-set the float level and it is good now. <br /><br />I checked the voltage on the coil as suggested by Bruceb58. With points closed and ignition on, got 4.5V.<br />With a wire off the + side of the coil and ignition off the resistance across the + and - side of the coil is 0 ohms. Bruce, this doesn't sound right....

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Low volts, weak spark<br />will foul plugs just like if it was rich.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

I remove the wire from the + side coil<br />attach volt meter, black to good ground<br />turn on key. 9 volts is good.<br />trace your wires to see if crimped, grounded, corroded. This wire is resistor and needs to be<br />in good condition.<br />If you could get wire diagram it would help.<br />someone hear should help you get one.<br />SEE someone here did help you<br />

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Wildlife, I removed the wire from the + side of the coil and with ignition on I measured between it and ground. Got 12V. <br /><br />SOOOOOOOO...... this is not a resistor wire and my coil is expecting an external resistor. I must have the wrong coil. Can I still use this coil with an added resistor? Or Did I ruin my coil by running without a resistor?<br /><br />Does this logic make sence?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

After it dies and you replace the plugs to get it to fire again, whats the condition of the old plugs.dry,sooty,gas fouled, or are they white .might be water fouled from a leaking riser/elbow.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Ok<br />I am surprised<br />Yes there are ballast resistors avail<br />to put between coil and wire.<br />This coil is not orig?<br />There are some coils internally resisted.<br />The meathod you used to get 4 volts<br />tests it. <br />There is a way to bench test coils<br />tests for Hi side and low side resistance.<br />there are specs .<br />I don't know if 12v to coil is bad in your case.<br />If the orig wires are there and correct then<br />it must be right, and the coil is supect.<br /><br />Bruceb gave you the info to tell what coil you have. Check what you find against the orig.<br /><br />I jumped to conclusions and feel bad.<br /><br />You are fouling plugs, Low spark/excess fuel/oil<br />will cause this.<br />Post your ohm tests on the coil that Bruce told you how to do.<br />then you'll know if it is the same as the OEM and <br />what you can do.<br />Sorry for jumping wrong

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

OK looks like your coil is bad,<br />I hate to say that with out testing myself<br />per a tech guide for specific application.<br />I reread you rpost and see you did test per bruce <br />and having 12 to the coil suggests<br />you need a internal resisted coil.<br />I hope you get the right one and that motor<br />running gooood<br />Wild "ooooops" Life

 

[snlgraham]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

Wildlife that is OK. I am glad to know that I am not going crazy and I am not the only one baffled by this problem.<br /><br />I did the tests as suggested by bruce:<br /><br />quote:_____________________________________________<br />I checked the voltage on the coil as suggested by Bruceb58. With points closed and ignition on, got 4.5V.<br />With a wire off the + side of the coil and ignition off the resistance across the + and - side of the coil is 0 ohms. Bruce, this doesn't sound right.... <br />________________________________________________<br /><br />I hope my coil is usable. They are spendy.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: do I have a resistor wire?

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