1985 Merc 18XD outboard starts on one cyl

[logger]

my outboard starts & runs like a dog on the top cyl. After about 10 minutes or longer the bottom cyl kicks in & it runs like a top. I've switched wires on the coils & then there's just spark on #2 cyl so I'm assuming the coils are good. don't have a manual so don't know proper readings for ohm testing trigger or stator leads. Can anyone please help me out?

[bspears639]

18xd

it sounds like your engine has a bad switch box. you have determined the coils are good and this engine only has one charge coil on the trigger plate so if it fires one cyl. it will fire both only leaving the switch box. the fact that the # 2 cyl. kicks in can be attributed to the engine warming up causing a bad solder in the switchbox to make contact and start firing. the engine only runs poorly when it's cold and not warmed up? hope this helps good luck

[logger]

Thanks for the input. Hopefully it'll put me on the right track!