weak spark

[irish88]

this is my 97 challenger 787 i tried cleaning and tightening all connections everything looks clean i guess what iam thinking and wanting to ask is anyone know if a bad starter can cause a weak spark i mean i can hold the plug in my hand my starter sounds like its dragging big time is this just a bad starter??

 

[kustomkarl]

The spark has nothing to do with the starter. You could have a great starter and not have any spark. Check the battery to be sure it has a full charge or if is in need of replacement. Bring the battery to Auto Zone to have it LOAD tested for free. The spark generated from the spark plug would jolt you big time if you held it in you hand. Check the battery and then all the connections too.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Karl

 

[irish88]

thank you like i said my stater is dragging i put my battery on a charger put it to 40amps same thing after pushing the start button 2 times i get one beep and nothing i took my test light put it on the pos side of the battery then touched the stater to the pos on starter and it lit up is my stater grounding out inside?

 

[timmyboy76]

if the stator was ground'n out, it would pop the believe 15amp fuse, may eventhe 5amp. Have the plugs out, ground the wiresto the post(orange post holder), then with charge battery, crank. If weak, open the electric box with red cables protruding from, and where they attach to, jump those post. If she turns good, then relay goin south, but first, check the grounds and cables/ring terminals, make sure cable/s aint broke anywhere, especially at the ends.
If cables good, and jump the relay, with good battery, and still nothing, then my guess would be the starter...

 

[irish88]

AM thinking the starter myself do to the fact I've heard a bad started before but would this make the spark week??or is that a hole nother thing??

 

[kcr357]

Try cutting a 1/4 inch off the ends of the spark plug wires.

 

[kustomkarl]

If you use a charger and crank it up to high JUMP START status you'll fry your mpem. It only costs about $1000.00 to replace. If the battery has a bad cell it needs to be replaced, not have a 40 amp charger over charge the electrical system. Check the ground wire going to the starter and the Positive wire going from the battery to the solenoid relay for the starter. If the connections on the ends are corroded or not getting a good connection cut the ends off and install new copper ends because the wire could be corroded inside the connector. Have the battery tested and replaced if necessary. If the battery +positive is corroded it will turn over slowly and have low spark.
Keep us posted on your progress and let us know how you make out.

Karl

 

[CypherAZ]

We had a weak spark on our speedster caused by a short in the MPEM. $900 later......

 

[kustomkarl]

Electrical equipment can get expensive, so rather jumping conclusions test the basics first. Process of elimination takes some time but saves a lot of money. That's why were here to help on the forum.
Keep us posted and let us know how you make out.

Karl

 

[Dans97challenger]

Good luck is all I have to say. My 97 Challenger is acting up big time right now too and it won't start!! I am wishing now I never traded my Buell for this headache. I just want it fixed and out of my hands asap. Mine is going to Seadoo I don't have time to keep checking things.....BTW a starter at the dealer is $325....I scored a new one on Ebay for $84 shipped.

 

[kustomkarl]

Dan do you have a seadoo manual? It makes things lots easier.

Karl

 

[G-speedster]

can the mpem be repaired,mine blew a fuse and come to find out the cold side of the fuse is shorted to ground