1988 Black Max 200 issues

[zenfold]

I have a stock 200 motor on my fishing boat. Last week I was on vacation and went to use my boat and the motor wouldn't fire. The last time I had it running was 3 weeks prior with no issues other then it took awhile to fire upon putting it in the water. I have ruled out bad fuel as my kicker runs off the same gas line from my water seperator. I have plenty of fuel to the plugs, which I replaced just in case. I had a friend hold the plug up against the block to check for spark and he said it looked weak but did spark. I asked on another forum and they said my stator might be bad. I had that replaced last spring. Is there any other things that might create a weak spark? If it was weak wouldn't it still try to fire? Meaning giving a popping sound? The whole time I cranked I got no popping.

Thanks

Wes

[WATERWINGS]

My first thought was the kill switch, (don't laugh, I have seen that alot), but if it has a weak spark , it can't be that.

[Steven]

did you ck all the plugs?
a switchbox can shut down one bank.

[David Borg]

I would check the coils grounds and high tension wires as a start and make sure that at cranking you have blue spark which means its not weak .

Also try to remove the 2Black/yellow wires connected to the switchboxes to eliminate the kill switch just incase. make sure that you have spark on all six .

After cranking check the plugs and see if they are dry or wet , if plugs are dry you might have a problem with the choke solenoid or carbs.

good luck

[zenfold]

I will check the kill switch first to rule out any stupidity on my part. :-) I pulled all of the plugs and they were all wet. I only checked the spark on two though. One on each bank. They were yellow spark, not blue. I will check the grounds and leads. Hopefully not in the pouring down rain this weekend.

Thanks for all your help!

[T-REX]

Make sure U have a good battery connection, and also check tha starter...I have seen more than once, the starter will take enuff juice while try'in to start, that the ignition will not fire the engine....and, the starter sounds fine!!...

[zenfold]

What should I look for on the starter? It did stop working for me while I was trying to start the motor. I took it off and sprayed electrical cleaner down the shaft. Then it seemed fine. That reminds me I have a spare starter I should bring with me.

[T-REX]

Try your spare....I had a motor I wuz going to run on my run stand, and I couldn't git it cranked...It seemed to spin fine, but would drop out sumtimes...I tried everthang, still no start(fire wuz week, but had fire to plugs)...I decided to change the starter(mainly because diffrent small engines with ignitions like mercury won't start if starter iz not 100%)...changed the starter, and it poped rite off......Put the other starter back on juss to solidify my theory, and it would not start...still turned over, but NO START!!

Starter may not be ya problem, but if U have a spare, and U had sum type ov problem wit it, simple swap!!...datz juss my un-professional opinion!!

[pyro]

Plugs are wet you say, but wet with what? Smell them, do they smell like fresh fuel? Or stinky oil?

[zenfold]

The plugs look clean. Meaning not alot of oil. I will try the other starter first and see what happens. The starter that was on the motor seems a little stiff in turning. I would think it should spin alittle easier. Thanks for the help. I will let you know how I make out.

[zenfold]

Well I checked the spare starter and it seemed to turn the same as the one on the motor. I tested the stator and it is testing bad. I just had this replaced last spring. So I guess I am going to have that replaced and go from there.