Expert: Everett Peacock - 10/22/2010

Question
Hello,  I am having a problem with my 1997 120hp Force outboard that has me pulling out my hair and looking for some more advice.  Well to start with I am a troller on Lake Erie and that is what i was doing on the day my problem started.  That morning I was running hard about 3/4 throttle and went out about 8 miles.  Then i slowed way down to in gear idle and started trolling.  About five minutes into trolling my engine just stalled.  So I thought no problem and tried to restart.  The engine would not start.  I replaced the spark plugs with hope this would correct my problem. My batteries eventualy died.  So now I am wrapping a rope around the fly wheel and pull starting it.  Found later i could get it to fire with throttle wide open but would stall if I try to bring throttle back down to engauge forward gear.  Had to be towed in.  Since I brought it home I have pulled both carbs cleaned them then noticed fuel coming from air silencer side of bottom carb after attemting to start.  Replaced floats and needle valves and rebuilt the fuel pump as suggested by you on Monday.  I have aslo replaced water fuel seperatorand all four plugs again.  Now my problem is a little better because I am not spilling fuel from the bottom carb but i still can only start and run at WOT. Do you happen to have any other suggestions as to how I may correct this issue?

Answer
if your problem is not fuel related then check the voltage from your stator...it has two sides a high side and a low side...should be 50 or higher ac volts on the low side and 125 or higher on the high side...use a peak voltage meter for the test at cranking speed...
To me it sounds like the stator has gone bad on the low side...common problem..
you can also test with an oh meter on both sides for a short to ground.