Folks, I've got a 1999 Challenger 1800 that's producing no spark or a very weak spark on all four plugs. It ran fine last season, was winterized and stored in the garage (I live in NC and it doesn't get too cold here, the garage is usually about 50 degrees). I've changed the plugs, checked the coils and relays, and fuses. All to no avail. I've read some of the other forum posts and it may be the rectifiers, but would both go at the same time? If it's any help, it's been slow to rev from low rpms at times but always runs great at higher rpm.
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Challenger 1800 No Spark
- Thread starter Robb
- Start date
- Status
Battery fulled charged
Chester: Thanks for the quick response and I'm sorry I didn't add these details:
Battery is sound and fully charged
Fire to the coil and relay as expected
New plugs
Two beeps at the post
I'm stumped.
I guess it could be that all four spark plugs wired need to be trimmed, or that both rectifiers have given up, but beyond that, we could it be?
Robb
Chester: Thanks for the quick response and I'm sorry I didn't add these details:
Battery is sound and fully charged
Fire to the coil and relay as expected
New plugs
Two beeps at the post
I'm stumped.
I guess it could be that all four spark plugs wired need to be trimmed, or that both rectifiers have given up, but beyond that, we could it be?
Robb
timmyboy76
New Member
just to be sure...?
i'd jump the battery from my truck/car..(not running) and see what boat does, JUST to rule out battery issue...?
i'd jump the battery from my truck/car..(not running) and see what boat does, JUST to rule out battery issue...?
Battery fulled charged
Battery is sound and fully charged
Fire to the coil and relay as expected
New plugs
Two beeps at the post
I'm stumped.
I guess it could be that all four spark plugs wired need to be trimmed, or that both rectifiers have given up, but beyond that, we could it be?
Robb
Battery is sound and fully charged
Fire to the coil and relay as expected
New plugs
Two beeps at the post
I'm stumped.
I guess it could be that all four spark plugs wired need to be trimmed, or that both rectifiers have given up, but beyond that, we could it be?
Robb
robin savell lloyd
Active Member
I am not sure myself. I do believe that I have read of this before [ maybe rev limiter in the mpem] I do not remember the fix but I do believe that someone here will have your answer shortly. Good luck Robin :cheers:
Challenger, no spark
Hi, Robb I have a sportster 1800 having the same problem (weak spark barely noticeable) worst case scenario would be the mpem, from your description of running slow in low rpm's and good at high rpm's it sounds like it’s the rev limiter and the mpem is shot. I have not checked the coil and the magneto voltages or loose/corroded connections yet however, you have but I suggest you check them again maybe even triple check them. Try checking voltage at the wires going to the primaries of the ignition coils, they should read about 24v. The manual says 24vdc however, I think it’s a typo it should be 24vac at the coil primary wires. Does yours have single or twin engine set up? Also check voltage coming directly from the magneto harness it should read 18 to 24vac. If magneto voltage checks good but the coil primaries are reading low then it’s probably the mpem or a bad connection somewhere in the harness. As for the rectifiers, it’s a possibility however, I do not know how check for that I hope it’s the rectifiers, (inexpensive fix) anyone know how to check for bad rectifiers?
Hi, Robb I have a sportster 1800 having the same problem (weak spark barely noticeable) worst case scenario would be the mpem, from your description of running slow in low rpm's and good at high rpm's it sounds like it’s the rev limiter and the mpem is shot. I have not checked the coil and the magneto voltages or loose/corroded connections yet however, you have but I suggest you check them again maybe even triple check them. Try checking voltage at the wires going to the primaries of the ignition coils, they should read about 24v. The manual says 24vdc however, I think it’s a typo it should be 24vac at the coil primary wires. Does yours have single or twin engine set up? Also check voltage coming directly from the magneto harness it should read 18 to 24vac. If magneto voltage checks good but the coil primaries are reading low then it’s probably the mpem or a bad connection somewhere in the harness. As for the rectifiers, it’s a possibility however, I do not know how check for that I hope it’s the rectifiers, (inexpensive fix) anyone know how to check for bad rectifiers?
Thx ESG
I'm hoping the same thing. It's weird because it ran essentially fine all last season and now won't start. It's garaged all winter, so it doesn't get moist or damp. Doesn't make sense the MPEM would go out without a load on it, but you may be right about the rev limiter. I wrote the power hesitation off to bad plugs. I have read a lot about trimming the spark plug wires and the rectifiers going bad, but it seems unlikely that two components would fail at once. Although they are the same age, I guess and one side has a very weak spark, the other none. Will keep you posted.
R
I'm hoping the same thing. It's weird because it ran essentially fine all last season and now won't start. It's garaged all winter, so it doesn't get moist or damp. Doesn't make sense the MPEM would go out without a load on it, but you may be right about the rev limiter. I wrote the power hesitation off to bad plugs. I have read a lot about trimming the spark plug wires and the rectifiers going bad, but it seems unlikely that two components would fail at once. Although they are the same age, I guess and one side has a very weak spark, the other none. Will keep you posted.
R
Challenger, no spark
Robb, my sportster is having exactly the same problem, ran fine last season. Apparently components can go bad in storage. I'm going to check on the testing procedure for the rectifiers, and more testing procedures for the mpem, I'll also check for loose/corroded connections. I got a surprise yesterday when I pulled the magneto connector on the left engine, it was corroded that one of the pins broke as I disconnect it the rest were very hard to take apart.
Robb, my sportster is having exactly the same problem, ran fine last season. Apparently components can go bad in storage. I'm going to check on the testing procedure for the rectifiers, and more testing procedures for the mpem, I'll also check for loose/corroded connections. I got a surprise yesterday when I pulled the magneto connector on the left engine, it was corroded that one of the pins broke as I disconnect it the rest were very hard to take apart.
Gunsrunner
New Member
I know this is for a no spark problem but might give you a few ideas,
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=13220&highlight=rectifier
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=13220&highlight=rectifier
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