'76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

[timrauch]

I had a lot of trouble starting my 1976 Evinrude 85hp last season. I thought I wasn't getting fuel so I replaced the fuel pump. This made no difference. All 4 ignition coils have cracked cases and where arcing but I taped them up and the arcing stopped. I bought new coils but haven't installed them yet. I got the motor started this year but it was missing and at least one cylinder was cutting in and out. I parked it and haven't been able to get it started since.<br /><br />I found I have no spark on cyl 2 & 4. I've been reading some old posts and my manual and have done the following tests.<br /><br />2-4 Sensor coil metered at 7.5ohms ok<br />1-3 Sensor coil metered at 7.7ohms ok<br />I tested all coil leads to ground and no problems<br /><br />Charge coil metered at 613ohms which is acceptable and tested ok to ground<br /><br />I cleaned all the ground connections I could find and they all metered ok.<br /><br />I moved the ignition coil leads for 2 & 4 to the 1 & 3 positions on the Power Pack and now I had spark.<br /><br />From what I have been reading this would lead me to suspect the Power Pack. Before I purchase one would one of you experts confirm that my logic is sound and let me know if there is anything else I should check.

 

[Walker]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Put the new coils on first and see if you still have the same problem.

 

[OBJ]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Replace the power pack. Nice bit of work 99. And if ya' got the new coils, put them on also.<br /><br />Oh!! Welcome to iboats forums.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

I've seen 1973-77 V4 timer bases ohm out OK, but not produce a signal for the pack...particularly at low rpm. Were you getting the other two cutting in once the engine revved up a bit? <br /><br />@ & 4 are on the same sensor in the timer base, 1 & 3 are on the other. You can try moving the 2/4 timer base lead to the 1/3 position on the pack, and see if the problem moves. Your timing will be way off, so don't try to start the motor - just look for spark.<br /><br />RAPAIR sells a tool that helps position the sensors so this doesn't happen (maybe).

 

[JasonB]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Yup. Power Pack. Those are the exact same symptoms my '76 85hp Johnson had.

 

[timrauch]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

I replaced the Power Pack but still had no spark. I replaced the ignition coils on 2 & 4 and still no joy. I guess the next thing is the timer base. I'm beginning to understand it when they say a boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into.

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Number 99 - Did you ever figure out what this was? I have the exact same problem and have been doing the exact same troubleshooting until now. If you come up with an answer let me know. <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Tex

 

[McGR]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

99,<br /><br />Have you tried to swap the sensor coil inputs from 1 & 3 to 2 & 4 as suggested by ledgefinder? This should confirm your suspicion of a bad timer base. If 2 & 4 come to life after the swap, you can be sure the 2/4 sensor coil portion of the timer base is bad.

 

[Raybo]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Hey 99,<br />I had the same problem with my 1978-85 Evinrude, no fire to 2 & 4. The rubber connector from the power pack to the ignition coils was the culprit. Discarded it and straightwired those wires. Wrapped connections with elec. tape. Good fire now. Might try that. Hope it's that simple. Good Luck!

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Hi all -<br /><br />I figured out my problem. Tested the sensors and they looked good so I had my mechanic swap the powerpack with another one that had only one cylinder bad. All 3 of the other cylinders fired so it was the powerpack. What caused it was the leads from the sensor from the 2/4 sensor were ground down from rubbing on the flywheel and that shorted and blew the diodes in the powerpack. Maybe this will help your troubleshooting.<br /><br />Best of luck,<br />Tex

 

[OBJ]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

Thanks for sharing the "fix" with us Texx. Always amazes me how many strange things can crop up on an outboard.<br /><br />Thanks again and good boating.

 

[timrauch]

Re: '76 Evinrude 85hp no spark 2 & 4

In my original post I mentioned I swapped the ignition coil wires and got a spark. That's what got me thinking powerpack since the sensor coils metered ok. Yesterday I installed a new timer base. I now have spark on all the cylinders but it is very weak and the engine still won't start. So far I have replaced the power pack, all 4 ignition coils, the timer base and checked and cleaned all the grounds. I replaced the plugs a short time ago. I'm getting real frustrated. If I hadn't spent so much money on it recently I think it would be at the bottom of the lake.