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  #1   IP: 50.245.70.213
Old 07-28-2017, 04:11 PM
Euphrates Euphrates is offline
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Starter frustration...

I've been troubleshooting a no spark problem and the engine stopped turning over last night. I closed the hatch to allow the starter battery to charge overnight. Came back this morning, not even a click from the solenoid. Had the battery tested at NAPA, checked good.

Returned to the boat and removed the solenoid, no wear whatsoever inside. Looks new. Cleaned all contacts and reinstalled it. Still nothing. I tried hot wiring the solenoid by connecting a screw driver from the battery cable to the S post, nothing but sparks. With key in off position, I tapped the solenoid with the end of the screwdriver and it made a loud whirring sound. After two seconds, I cut power at the battery switch. Felt the solenoid and it was very hot. What the hell was that and where do I go from here?
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  #2   IP: 24.152.132.65
Old 07-28-2017, 10:41 PM
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Early or late model engine?
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
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  #3   IP: 50.245.70.213
Old 07-31-2017, 04:32 PM
Euphrates Euphrates is offline
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Update

The engine is a 77. I took the starter assembly to NAPA for a bench test and I was told the starter motor was locked up. I just dropped it off at a reputable rebuilder this morning. Should be a 1-2 day turnaround.

In the mean time, I've replaced plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, and condenser (Condensor being my best guess and hope for spark failure) I bought a spare coil just in case that's the issue. I'm leaving the points alone to avoid having to adjust timing for now. My guess is that if this thing doesn't spark after I reinstall the starter, that my problem is going to be the points. Is that the end of the troubleshooting line when it comes to spark? Obviously, I don't have EI.
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Old 07-31-2017, 04:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Euphrates View Post
Is that the end of the troubleshooting line when it comes to spark?
Attached is a troubleshooting punch list to work thru.
FYI, timing is not hard at all on these simple engines.
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File Type: pdf Troubleshooting lack of spark.pdf (13.0 KB, 284 views)
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  #5   IP: 50.245.70.213
Old 08-01-2017, 03:01 PM
Euphrates Euphrates is offline
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Success!

roadnsky, thanks for the checklist. Checked for spark at the points, good to go, but no secondary. Odd because the coil is a couple of days old. Replaced coil lead... boom. Fired right up. Looks like my problem was a bad coil plug wire. Nuts! On the upside, my neglected engine just received a **** load's worth of updated components. Thanks for the assistance.
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Old 08-01-2017, 03:40 PM
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FYI and IMHO:
The coil wire does 4X the work of individual spark plug wires and fails first.
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  #7   IP: 24.152.132.65
Old 08-01-2017, 11:51 PM
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Please tell me you didn't change only the coil wire.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
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  #8   IP: 50.245.70.213
Old 08-02-2017, 09:29 AM
Euphrates Euphrates is offline
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Yeah. The new coil wire had a small metal clip wrapped around the metal terminal. Couldn't fit it into the coil. Finally checked resistance after nothing else worked. Pried the clip off the coil cable, hooked it up, engine started right up.

Bad coil lead was my last assumption. I'm glad this episode is almost over. Today I troubleshoot a blockage in the cooling system.
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Old 08-02-2017, 09:35 AM
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Why not replace ALL the wires as long as you're there? There's a reason they're sold in full kits.
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1977 Catalina 30
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  #10   IP: 72.194.218.136
Old 08-02-2017, 11:27 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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+1 on replacing all the wires, as mentioned.

Also have a look at the contacts inside the coil and distributor cap towers. The little rubber boots look impressive but are not 100% moisture proof. Corrosion can form where the high voltage wires plug into the towers. The corrosion is acerlated by the passing of high voltage electricity. A piece of sandpaper wrapped around a wood pencil cleans them up nicely.

TRUE GRIT
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