Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 I found this in the back of my boat. It was not hooked up to anything. It says Thunderbolt IV breakerless electronic timing high energy ignition. What the hell is this suppost to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Have a pic? I assume since our boats are the same year, manufacturer and just an engine size apart that most of the systems should resemble each other. I can look at mine and see what its hooked to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Have a pic? I assume since our boats are the same year, manufacturer and just an engine size apart that most of the systems should resemble each other. I can look at mine and see what its hooked to. Its just alil black box with some wires coming off of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Is it just lying there like its a spare or as though someone took it off, replaced it and never threw the old one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tbutera2112 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 just an ignition module...like an MSD box for a car just the module part - but heres the set...its most likely a factory ignition box that was replaced and thats the old junk one laying in the back of the boat http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380251946722&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=a839186f1290a0e20317d127fdd3d0ee&rvr_id=125181285902&ua=WVF%3F&itemid=380251946722 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 If it has two wires coming off of it may be the ignition sensor. Does your boat still using the original thunderbolt ignition system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Dunno didnt look. Just found it laying there and picked it up. I wanna know what it does and what its for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Sounds like an ignition module. Maybe someone replaced it and left the original laying around. Follow your distributor wiring; I'd think you'd find another similar box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Yeah I will follow the wiring tomorrow and look for another one. I am wondering if this could be the issue why my box wants to die when I go from gear to neutral. So annoying. It stalls out sometimes and other times it doesnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Mine does the same thing. Have you posted interior pics? I was wondering how your layout was compared to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Yeah I cant figure it out what it is. It runs perfect at any speed, I can start it and it will idle fine, as soon as I go in gear then go back to neutral it shuts off. Only sometimes though. Jason if you figure it out, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Its been so long but I think thats what mine did almost everytime when I first got it. The guy I traded to was a marine mechanic and he swapped out a part to fix it I think. Matt remembers what it was. My memory could be fuzzy. i think mine is currently doing it now due to the tune up issue. i am swapping plugs this week and if someone is out during the day, i am trying again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FormulaMatt Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Yeah I will follow the wiring tomorrow and look for another one. I am wondering if this could be the issue why my box wants to die when I go from gear to neutral. So annoying. It stalls out sometimes and other times it doesnt. Yeah I cant figure it out what it is. It runs perfect at any speed, I can start it and it will idle fine, as soon as I go in gear then go back to neutral it shuts off. Only sometimes though. Jason if you figure it out, let me know. Its been so long but I think thats what mine did almost everytime when I first got it. The guy I traded to was a marine mechanic and he swapped out a part to fix it I think. Matt remembers what it was. My memory could be fuzzy. i think mine is currently doing it now due to the tune up issue. i am swapping plugs this week and if someone is out during the day, i am trying again. There is a stall switch on the shift linkage on the motor. This may be causing the problem if not properly adjusted. The stall switch is designed to stall the engine for a brief second while the outdrive is going in or out of gear. This is special to the Alpha 1 drives. Also, it could be the lower shift cable. The cable will wear over time, then it drags and doesn't move where its supposed to, that's why it stalls out the motor. It could be your shift cable might be a bit sticky or in need of adjustment. Though I have heard, depending on the age of the cable, it should not be adjusted - it needs replaced... This was the case on Jasons boat and is why his cable was replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FormulaMatt Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 I found this in the back of my boat. It was not hooked up to anything. It says Thunderbolt IV breakerless electronic timing high energy ignition. What the hell is this suppost to do. That's very interesting. It should not run without that. See if you see another one back there. If not see what type of Distributor is back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FormulaMatt Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 just an ignition module...like an MSD box for a car just the module part - but heres the set...its most likely a factory ignition box that was replaced and thats the old junk one laying in the back of the boat http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380251946722&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=a839186f1290a0e20317d127fdd3d0ee&rvr_id=125181285902&ua=WVF%3F&itemid=380251946722 HOLY SHIT thats expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 There is a stall switch on the shift linkage on the motor. This may be causing the problem if not properly adjusted. The stall switch is designed to stall the engine for a brief second while the outdrive is going in or out of gear. This is special to the Alpha 1 drives. This is likely your issue. This needs adjusted every so often - it's pretty easy to do (I did mine several years ago). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Ok, I will check the stall switch. Is there a certain way to adjust as in, do I need to tighten it or loosen it or what. Any detailed info on how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam1647545489 Posted August 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 What do I adjust on this pic http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/ls2sam/Shiftsystem.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Those two top bars (on the lower right hand side of the picture, the longer ones that are attached to your throttle control and shift shaft), there are adjustment bolts on them. You likely won't have to adjust it much. Before adjusting, make sure your shift interrupter switch is mounted down securely, and not sticking, as that could also be the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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