Posted from the water, left engine not starting

[willardsp]

I have a Sportster 1800 from 1998. I rented a lake house for the weekend only to discover that my left engine won't start. It worked fine last weekend buut today it is cranking and not turning over. The right one worked fine, so I checked the spark plugs. They were not sparking and I replaced them with some spares that were on the boat and tried again.

Still no luck, so I took the cap off and tried to start it and confirmed that the spark plug cap was not giving a spark either. Most of my work is guessing and I confirmed this by taking the cap off the plug and placing it next to the plug while hitting the ignition. The right one sparked and the left plugs didnt. My question is:

1) Is there anything I can do to get the left engine started?
2) What parts come between the spark plugs and the battery that could be causing this?
3) Should I just call it a weekend and put it in the shop?

 

[LouDoo]

I assume you don't have much in the way of tools, equipment or parts with you, there's not a lot you can do. There is one thing you could try but it's a long shot. Try unscrewing the spark plug caps, clipping about 1/4" off the end and screwing the caps back on.

Lou

 

[willardsp]

That wouldn't help if there is no power going to the caps though, right?
I am pulling it over to the marina and will try a voltmeter in the cap while starting. If it doesn't have any power then the electrical problem is earlier in the chain. Are there any resources for getting electrical schematics on this boat? I should mention that I only have 1 bar of 3g so research is slow and painful.

 

[bigJake]

what Lou is suggesting, is that there may be no spark at the plug boot because the end of the wire that connects to the boot may be bad.(that is earlier in the chain) Do what Lou said, twist the boot off, trim 1/4" off the end of the plug wire and twist the boot back on.

Don't ask for help if you aren't going to listen - just sayin...

 

[willardsp]

Don't ask for help if you aren't going to listen - just sayin...

I just didn't understand. You clarified it alot, thank you. I tried this and still no luck. I am guessing this means just focus on swimming off the dock and don't mess with it anymore, unless anyone else has waterside repairs I can try with a knife and a wrench.

Thanks,