Diagnosing Power pack/switch box?

[negoc8]

Once in a while the #1 Cylinder on my 84 Merc 6 cly, will lose spark. I have tested this with an inductive pick up timing light. I switched the wires from the upper switch box to the lower, to see if the problem followed, it did. The loss of spark went from #1 to #4. Anyone no if it could be anything other than the switch box? I am a hack when it comes to this kind of diagnosis and it looks like a $150 to find out if I have guessed correctly...
Thanks.

[Boat Doc']

Originally Posted by negoc8

Once in a while the #1 Cylinder on my 84 Merc 6 cly, will lose spark. I have tested this with an inductive pick up timing light. I switched the wires from the upper switch box to the lower, to see if the problem followed, it did. The loss of spark went from #1 to #4. Anyone no if it could be anything other than the switch box? I am a hack when it comes to this kind of diagnosis and it looks like a $150 to find out if I have guessed correctly...
Thanks.

If the problem followed the switch box then the switch box is bad

[negoc8]

Thanks. Picked one up Sat. Man that thing must have been worse than I thought. Seems like I have a new motor. Starts on the first crank and runs like a ***** ape! Sure glad I put it off for so long

[smalldog]

Electrical is very sensitive on outboards.
Even a small loss is going to effect performance.
Just a small amount out of spec and you need to replace it.