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 What is an ignition coil?
This is the most simplistic outboard boat motor ignition component of all. No matter which brand of outboard motor you have, the ignition coils all perform the same task. Ignition coils receive the energy output from the power pack/switchbox and magnify that energy into very high voltage, as much as 15,000 volts or more at the spark plug. If you've ever been on the receiving end of a spark plug wire on an outboard motor with a CD ignition system while its cranking or running, you may know what 15,000 volts can feel like. It can smarts ..... @#@%$##$@! Outboard ignition coils can fail in a couple of ways. The housings can crack or break allowing leakage of energy (sometimes you can see spark jumping around externally when its dark out) or the internal windings can simply burn out. The number one killer of ignition coils is caused by bad spark plug wires or bad spark plugs which in turn cause the ignition coil to overload itself (that magnified energy has to go somewhere!). You can test the resistance of plug wires with an ohmmeter. If a plug wire show more than about 40 ohms resistance, they should be replaced. The spark plug on the other hand either works or it doesn't. If you are getting sufficient spark to the plugs per specifications, but little or nothing is coming out of them, its time to replace. Misfiring spark plugs due to excessive carbon buildup or other issues as an example. If you need to test your coil/s, you are welcome to use our "Outboard Troubleshooter" section for guidance. Just click the link at the top of the page.
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