1996 SN No spark at plugs - but power from coil
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51627
Printed Date: November-24-2024 at 10:55am
Topic: 1996 SN No spark at plugs - but power from coil
Posted By: Houston7831
Subject: 1996 SN No spark at plugs - but power from coil
Date Posted: June-20-2024 at 8:58am
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I’ve got a 1996 Ski Nautique with the 5.7L PCM 350 TBI. It won’t start. Just turns over. I get power at the end of the coil wire going to the distributor cap but no power to the spark plugs. I replaced the ignition module, and then the boat started right up. I ran it for about 20 minutes with no issues, then put it back on the trailer and headed on a vacation with it. Go to put it in the water at our vacation spot and the boat won’t start. Same symptoms. I replaced the ignition module and put a new coil on it and that did nothing. I’ve bypassed neutral safety switch, and kill lanyard and these don’t affect how it doesn’t start. I’m on my way to get a distributor cap but that’s about the last thing I can replace here on vacation before I have to order some specialty parts I’m at my wits end with this thing… any tips? [EDIT - new Distributor cap and rotor did NOT fix the issue] ------------- 1996 Ski Nautique PCM 350 |
Replies:
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: June-20-2024 at 4:45pm
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I would verify you have 12V at the coil while cranking. You are on vacation and probably limited in tool selections so maybe a jumper wire from the battery to the 12V coil + and see if it starts. The Key switch itself can fail and give similar issues. I am guessing with little to go on but hope you can get it running. PS: A buddy with a 350 chevy in his Ski Boat had the issue, we got it running with a jumper but it would not start without the jumper. Once running you could remove the jumper wire and it kept running fine. He ran it like that for a couple years because he did not understand how to fix it. Later he found a bad wire and all is normal again.
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Posted By: Houston7831
Date Posted: June-20-2024 at 7:37pm
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Thank you for the suggestions!! I am getting about 10.0v at the end of the coil wire at the top of the distributor cap when I tested during ignition. Not sure if it’s lower due to starter voltage draw, but I tried the same thing with a jumper pack (putting 12.5v out) on the battery just to double check and it didn’t change anything ------------- 1996 Ski Nautique PCM 350 |
Posted By: Houston7831
Date Posted: June-20-2024 at 7:52pm
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Thank you for the suggestions!! I am getting about 10.0v at the end of the coil wire at the top of the distributor cap when I tested during ignition. Not sure if it’s lower due to starter voltage draw, but I tried the same thing with a jumper pack (putting 12.5v out) on the battery just to double check and it didn’t change anything ------------- 1996 Ski Nautique PCM 350 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-21-2024 at 8:21am
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How are you checking for spark from the coil? I think I don't understand your description
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Posted By: Houston7831
Date Posted: June-21-2024 at 2:01pm
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Keno, That’s a good point, I was using a multimeter to test voltage at the end of the coil wire but I ended up buying a spark plug tester and it actually shows no spark from coil, so I need to back up and try to diagnose that ------------- 1996 Ski Nautique PCM 350 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-21-2024 at 4:22pm
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That makes more sense. I think I'd start with 2 relays on the back of your engine. They're the relays for the ECM and the fuel pump. The part number from PCM is R130012 for your particular engine, but they're a common relay that you can get at an auto parts store if you tell the person that you need a blower motor relay for a 98 Silverado 1500 with a 5.7 engine. Bring one with you for comparison purposes. You need to have 2 good ones for the engine to run, just like on the gt40 Fords from that time period, that are more popular around here on CCF, The Fords use a different relay. The ECM relay lets power get to the ECM and also provides actuating power for the fuel pump relay No ECM power means no spark. It sounds like the ignition module inside the distributor has been replaced more than once and the coil has been replaced too, so this is a logical step to take. It's a bit of throwing parts at it, but without diagnostic tools you don't have much choice. Replace both together along with inspecting the sockets that they plug into for corrosion etc. It may or may not be your problem but it's a step in the right direction and if nothing else you'll gave a couple of spare relays.  Also, check your fuses/breakers at the engine to be sure they're all good.
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Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: June-21-2024 at 9:46pm
| From your description Ken it sounds like GT40 owners should keep 2 spare relays in the boat at all times. Simple fix if you have one handy. |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-22-2024 at 8:15am
They can save a weekend or a vacation For the gt40, the PCM part number is R130011 Chevy's have a handful of different relays depending on the engine and the year
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MrMcD wrote:Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-22-2024 at 8:38am
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I had 2 spare relays in the glove box of my 2001 SNOB with the GT40…just in case. Cheap insurance. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: June-22-2024 at 12:28pm
| I will get a couple ordered. |