7.4 Ignition Module

[hd2002hd]

So, a question. Unlike a car that throws out a check engine light, a mechanic has to plug a data coder into the ECM to see if there are any codes?

 

[techmitch]

More follow up: I checked all battery connections and found a loose battery cable on the starboard engine. I cleaned and added dielectric grease to all and tightened. I loosened the engine grounds, cleaned and added more grease there as well. I was told by an ignition manufacturer that most of the failures of the ignition module they see is due to corrosion on the distributor bolt as it grounds the distributor. I marked the distributor, removed the bolt, sanded the all of the surfaces down, applied grease and re-tightened. Cleaned the internal part of the distributor, applied grease and installed a new module. It started up several times so I took her out. Ran about a mile up the lake and had lunch. I verified it would start after shutting it down. Fired up and ran back. Tried it again later and it started as well. I did notice on the run up, that both amp gauges moved ALOT between 14 and 16 amps with the starboard side staying mostly and amp or so higher than port. I also have a digital gauge and it ran at least an amp lower and generally around 14 or a little more. I did see it go near 15 at one point for a moment. Initially I thought maybe an alternator was overcharging and maybe that is still the case. I'm not sure. I've also been told that an alternator will move up and down as it cycles through charging. I don't have a good feeling I have resolved anything, but other than removing the alternators and having them tested, I'm not sure of what direction to go. Any thoughts?

Good job on all of your connection work. Do you mean volts in this post, or do you have amp gauges also?

 

[hd2002hd]

Good job on all of your connection work. Do you mean volts in this post, or do you have amp gauges also?

I meant volts. Not sure why I put amps.

 

[scoflaw]

Good job, love a cheap fix

 

[hd2002hd]

Good job, love a cheap fix

I did find a service manual and download it. Man, a ton of info and a lot is over my head without some direction. That’s why I am curious about the codes. O way to know if you have a code without booking up a data recorder to the eco?

 

[scoflaw]

A saw something on youtube a while back, where a guy rigged up a light and some wiring and decoded the ecm with the light flashing the trouble code, like the old obd 1 in cars.

 

[hd2002hd]

So the saga continues. I used the boat a couple of times last week after I had checked all of the connections and had no issues. I watched the volt gauges and they sort of tracked each other with the starboard being a 1/2 volt or so higher but only went up to about 15 volts. On the 3rd day, as soon as I left the marina and got up on plane, both volt gauges started creeping up and got up to 16 volts. I had the digital meter on as well and it too climbed to 16 volts. After a minute or 2 the starboard engine failed. The next day, I pilled the starboard alternator and had it tested. They told me the voltage regulator was bad. I also had them test the ignition module (as I assumed that is what killed the engine again) and surprisingly, it tested good. So, I am back to the drawing board. I am having the alternator rebuilt and will install a new ignition module ( I have a spare). I am assuming something else has failed though and the engine will still not start?? What would possibly be the next failure point?? The ECM??

SCOFLAW, I did check the pick up coil wiring and it all looked good and clean.