Ignition Issues
 

I've got a pair of 330's with thunderbolt IV ignitions. When I first started the engines they ran fine for about 10-15 minutes on the hose and then stalled and would not fire back up.. I'm not getting any spark to the plugs. I am getting power to the coil and power to the distributor sensor. From process of elimination I'm guessing that the ignition sensors are shot. What are some options on this. And yes I've replaced the cap and rotor.

They both did this at roughly the same time ? :eek:

sounds like COIL !

basically yes! The engines hadn't been started in quite a while but I'm at a loss as to what it could be other than the modules in the distributor. I have to agree its odd that both engines acted up at the same time.

Just a quick shot in the dark....do you have a different coil you could hook up ? Dont use either of those. It only takes a second to change the coil sir. Try it and see what happens.

Hey give me a call. I would be more inclined to think it would be a ground/grounds. Any mice nest or any signs of from sitting. They love chewing on wires for some odd reason. Do you have a hei around to do a quick check with? Those ign modules have a ground that can be a weak link also. I'm sure you went all through that though. How do the sensors look? I can shoot up quick. Just let me know.

John
If you want to swing up and take a look I'll be up there. I'm going to double check the grounds but I think everything looked good.

I'll be up in 5 min.
Got any beer?

Seems funny they both ran for 15 min then died. Thats sort of a long time. I had a motor once that ran great until the coil got hot (heat soaked)...then nothing. Was just a guess. Hope you guys get it figured out. :drink:

Well John and I replaced everything in the ignition and nothing changed... Then when I fired up the starboard engine it ran until I bumped the throttle assemble and it died. Fired back up wiggled the assemble and the same thing happened. So it tell me there is a wiring issue somewhere up front. I'll look into that tomorrow. Either way its not back in the engines. Thanks for the help John!

Neutral safety switch have anything to do with that ?

yep....i bet thats it !

I don't think so, that just cuts power to the starter or at least as far as I know!

Hmmm..this is interesting. Especially that it happened to both motors. Please let us know what you find sir. :drink:

No problem Mike, I know how it goes and been there and will be again. Just the way it goes sometimes. Were on the right track and will have you on the water in no time. Just glad we did the process of elimination. New boat - new set of issues. Also was nice after we fired engine number 2 that it stalled out when it did. Don't think it's any faulty equip or parts. Just fixing what somebody probably had intentions of going back to at some point however didn't get around to it. lol... He could be chuckling in his grave while we scratched our heads earlier.

The question I have is how the safety tether actually works. I thought it would simply cut the voltage off to the coil however after this evening I believe it works in conjuntion with the TB module. See ya in the morning. At least you'll sleep a little better.