Outboard Ignition Troubleshooting � Page 1 � Recommended Marine Electrical Test Equipment & Special Tools
This page covers recommended test equipment and specialty tools used in outboard ignition troubleshooting. If you are diagnosing no spark, weak spark, switch box, stator, trigger, timer base, or coil issues, having the proper marine electrical tools makes testing safer, faster, and far more accurate.
Recommended Marine Electrical Test Equipment and Tools
The following tools were originally recommended for testing late model marine ignition systems. These include spark testers, DVA adapters, timing tools, meter accessories, connector tools, and other electrical diagnostic items that can help with proper outboard ignition testing.
| Part Number | Description | View | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 511-9764 | Spark Tester | ){kind=small} |
Sealed single cylinder unit with removable ground clamp that can be used for running tests. |
| 511-9766 | Spark Gap Tester | ){kind=small} |
Allows testing up to 8 cylinders for cranking tests. Sealed design reduces the chance of sparks. |
| 511-9770 | Piercing Probes | ){kind=small} |
Allows access to wires for testing without removing the connection. Tiny hole usually reseals itself. |
| 511-9773(a) | DVA Adapter | ){kind=small} |
Unit automatically compensates for polarity and can be used with most quality multimeters. |
| 511-9775 | Load Resister | ){kind=small} |
Used to load the output of ignition modules when testing ignition coils. |
| 518-16A(b) | Fluke 16 w/DVA | ){kind=small} |
Adapter has voltage, temperature, capacitance, ohms, and DVA measurement capability. |
| 518-80TK(c) | Temp Adapter | ){kind=small} |
Works with most digital multimeters capable of reading millivolts. |
| 519-STLO | Timing Light | ){kind=small} |
DC powered timing light with a very bright strobe. |
| 551-34PV | Pressure/Vacuum Tester | ){kind=small} |
Repairable metal combination unit that does both vacuum and pressure testing. |
| 551-5110 | Flywheel Holder | ){kind=small} |
Longer handle helps during use. |
| 551-9765 | Wire Puller | ){kind=small} |
Grounded design reduces the chances of shocking. |
| 553-2700 | Amphenol Tool | ){kind=small} |
Set contains 1 each of 553-2697 (Insertion), 553-2698 (Pin Removal), and 553-2699 (Socket Removal). |
| 553-9702 | Gap Gauge | ){kind=small} |
Used to set the timer-base air gap on 1973�1978 OMC 3 and 4 cylinder engines with screw terminal power packs. |
| 554-9706 | Amp Pin Removal | ){kind=small} |
Used to remove connector pins in Chrysler/Force Prestolite ignitions and Mercury TPI sensor connectors. |
| 911-9783 | Bullet Connectors | ){kind=small} |
Contains 10 pieces each of the male, female, and sleeves. |
| 912-9708 | Marine Terminal Kit | ){kind=small} |
Contains 100+ pieces of hard-to-find terminals and heat shrink. |
| 991-9705 | Dielectric Grease | ){kind=small} |
Use to keep water and corrosion out of connectors. |
| 511-6996 | Remote Starter | ){kind=small} |
Used to replace the boat-side harness for engine testing. Fits most OMC engines 1969 to 2000. |
| 511-7900 | Remote Starter | ){kind=small} |
Used to replace the boat-side harness for engine testing. Fits most Mercury engines 1979 to 2000. |
| 519-LB85 | Load Bank | ){kind=small} |
Used to load the battery when testing battery charging output. |
| Optional upgrade | |||
| 518-88 | Fluke 88 w/DVA | ){kind=small} |
Highly recommended. The 88 has 2 and 4 stroke RPM ranges, volts, ohms, amperage, dwell, and injector pulse width. It can record maximum and minimum RPM and volts, and the backlit display is easy to read in dim light. |
(a) This item is included with the Fluke 518-16A and 518-88 meters.
(b) The Fluke 518-88 is highly recommended, especially if you do not have a good inductive digital tachometer.
(c) The temperature adapter is not needed with the Fluke 16.
(b) The Fluke 518-88 is highly recommended, especially if you do not have a good inductive digital tachometer.
(c) The temperature adapter is not needed with the Fluke 16.
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