New stator, no spark

[Hunterb]

Hi all,

So I started out to fix a 'low 12 volt' problem on my 1997 GTX. Turns out the stator was shot so I picked up a new one that came with the pick up coil and the plug etc. The engine ran perfectly before changing the stator and pick up. Now it has no spark at all. The pick up coil resistance tested out correctly before I installed it. The only thing I can think of is the gap between the pick up coil and the mag cap is too big. I checked the new one to the old one prior to install and they looked identical but maybe a tiny difference is enough to mess it up. The problem is it is impossible to measure the gap, or adjust it as far as I can see. Is there any way of actually measuring the gap? If I have gone from a good spark to no spark and all I've done is change the stator and pick up it seems like it would have to be something with the pick up because I don't think the stator has anything to do with spark but I could be wrong. Is there anything else I should look for?
Thanks if you have any advice.
Bruce

 

[Hunterb]

Hi all,

So I started out to fix a 'low 12 volt' problem on my 1997 GTX. Turns out the stator was shot so I picked up a new one that came with the pick up coil and the plug etc. The engine ran perfectly before changing the stator and pick up. Now it has no spark at all. The pick up coil resistance tested out correctly before I installed it. The only thing I can think of is the gap between the pick up coil and the mag cap is too big. I checked the new one to the old one prior to install and they looked identical but maybe a tiny difference is enough to mess it up. The problem is it is impossible to measure the gap, or adjust it as far as I can see. Is there any way of actually measuring the gap? If I have gone from a good spark to no spark and all I've done is change the stator and pick up it seems like it would have to be something with the pick up because I don't think the stator has anything to do with spark but I could be wrong. Is there anything else I should look for?
Thanks if you have any advice.
Bruce

One more thing to ask. To get the mag cover off I had to undo all the motor mounts and lift the motor up about 2 inches to access the bottom bolts. Is it OK to do that, since I will be doing it again. Probably should have asked that earlier.
Bruce

 

[Hunterb]

I figured this out, if anyone cares. It turns out the new pickup coil has way too big of an air gap. I took the front cover off again and measured the distance from the pickup to the stator and it was about 5/8ths of an inch. I then stuck the old one back in and it was about 3/8ths. So the new one was obviously not going to work. I ended up taking the new one apart and took the pickup coil out and put the old one in. At the same time I cut about 5 inches out of all the wires because the look was way too long. I put it all back together and it fired up instantly. I will stick it in the lake this weekend to see if the new stator works and is charging the battery, which was the original problem I started out to fix.
A word of caution to those who are in the market for a new stator/pickup assembly. The one I got was from AHL and they claimed it was a direct replacement for OEM. It is definitely not, as it needs several modifications and the pickup coil is not useable at all. Live and learn I guess.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Some valuable advice, I’m going to write that down somewhere not to purchase from AHL. Was that the actual manufacturer? Or is AHL a distributor. Thanks for the post

 

[Hunterb]

AHL is the manufacturer. I put the seadoo in the water today and it ran great; 'low 12 volt' warning gone so that's good. So the stator does work but needs modifications (bolt holes and wire loom too long) in order to fit and there is no way to make the pickup coil work no matter what you do. If I was in this situation again I would just buy the stator on its own because it's easy to swap the pickup coil over.

 

[etemplet]

I dunno if you figured it out but you only need to remove the front engine mount to remove the stator cover on a 787. Leave the other mounts and bolts tight to hold the engine in position. Just lift the engine by hand and stick a block under it.

If you loosened all the engine mount bolts at once the engine is now out of alignment if in fact it was EVER IN alignment. LOL Other than that... Good Job !!

 

[Hunterb]

I dunno if you figured it out but you only need to remove the front engine mount to remove the stator cover on a 787. Leave the other mounts and bolts tight to hold the engine in position. Just lift the engine by hand and stick a block under it.

If you loosened all the engine mount bolts at once the engine is now out of alignment if in fact it was EVER IN alignment. LOL Other than that... Good Job !!

I had to take the front one out completely to get the cover off. The back two I did not remove completely, I undid the single bolt in the rubber mount and then just put it back where it was so hopefully it is still lined up. The rear mounts never moved so hopefully it's still good, if it ever was. I took it for a run today and it seemed great. Is there a way of checking the alignment without dismantling everything?

 

[etemplet]

No you cannot check alignment without pulling the jet pump and using the alignment kit. Your alignment is off and it was probably not "spot-on" before you moved it. Just something to keep in mind if opportunity presents itself. Good Luck.