No Spark

[SkipMoss]

1972 65 Hspr. Evinrude. Turns over now, but has no spark. Solonoid and power pack are new. Is there a progression that can be used to trace what the problem is.<br /><br /> Thanks <br /> Skip

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: No Spark

Remove spark plugs. Rig a spark tester whereas you can set a 7/16" gap. Spark should jump that gap with a strong blue lightning like flame.<br /><br />If no spark, remove black/yellow wire from powerpack, then retest spark.<br /><br />If you now have spark, you have either a short in the wiring harness, or a faulty ignition switch.<br /><br />To test the switch, reconnect the black/yellow wire to the powerpack, then disconnect that same black/yellow wire from the ignition switch. If you have spark, the switch is faulty.<br /><br />Keep in mind that your engine must turn over at least 300 rpm in order to generate spark.... a slow cranking engine usually produces no spark.

 

[SkipMoss]

Re: No Spark

Know this doesn't make any sense, but when the black/yellow wire was off the powerpack, there was a good spark. When it was reattached to the powerpack and taken off the ignition switch, there was no spark at all. Will do it again tomorrow to verify, unless there is an explanation for what is happening.<br /> Thanks, <br /> Skip

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: No Spark

Skip.... I understand that you're saying that with the black/yellow wire connected to the powerpack, but disconnected at the ignition switch..... the result is no spark.<br /><br />That indicates that the black/yellow wire is shorted out somewhere in the electrical harness.<br /><br />Leave the black/yellow wire connected to the powerpack, then disconnect the large RED electrical connection at the engine. If you have spark, the engine wiring harness is okay.<br /><br />The usual breakdown area of the harness itself is at the RED plug. Should this be the case, simply cut the black/yellow wires at some point on each side of the RED plug, splice into them and bypass the RED plug.<br /><br />Let us know what you find.

 

[SkipMoss]

Re: No Spark

The red electrical connection at the engine is the one attached to the solonoid, I assume. If this is right, there was no spark at all, and the engine didn't turn over either. Going to proceed to the next step, cutting the blsck/yellow wire and splicing it unless I hear different.<br /> Thanks,<br /> Skip

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: No Spark

With ther spark plugs removed, and with the RED plug disconnected, use a small jumper from the battery terminal of the starter solenoid to the small 3/8" nut terminal that energizes the solenoid. That will crank the engine over for the spark test.

 

[SkipMoss]

Re: No Spark

Removed plugs and deconnected plug, used jumper to terminal of solonoid and nothing happened at all. Took a battery operated test light, hooked the plug back up, disconnected the 12 volt battery and connected both ends of the black/yellow wire to the test light and no current was going through it. Do you advise to cut the black/yellow wire and splice it or are there other options

 

[SkipMoss]

Re: No Spark

Spliced black/yellow wire and checked it with test light and it was fine. Still nothing when the ignition switch is turned on. Any suggestions.<br /> Thanks,<br /> Skip