Today I started working on a 2000 (?) Mariner 20 hp for a customer. First time for me working on an outboard this new, but I thought what the heck, I’ll give it a try!
According to the customer, the engine stopped running and wouldn’t start. He started the engine, it ran fine, then he shut it off since he forgot something in his car and had to get it, and when he returned it wouldn’t start. It is completely dead with no spark whatsoever on either cylinder.
It has one coil per cylinder. If one would have failed, then it would spark on the other cylinder, but it is completely dead on both.
I checked the sparkplugs, wires, coils, all electrical connections, all switches, and everything seems to be in working order. That leaves the switch box as the main suspect.
Is there any way to test its function? I read somewhere that the only way to determine that the box is shot is to make sure everything else works, still no spark, = box is shot.
Is this true? I’d like to be 100% sure it is the culprit before I order the part and charge the customer for it..wouldn’t want to do it unless necessary.
Otherwise the engine seems to be in great condition.
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