1970 johnson 60hp no spark

[mcgyver6857]

Ok so I just bought a boat with a johnson 60hp, when I was at the guys house the motor fired and ran, when I got home the motor now has no spark. On inspection I found the coil was cracked so I replaced it. I also bought a manual and found out the clipper circuit is missing. Upon going through the tests in the manual concerning ignition I am boggled. The amplifier seems to be working because I get a pulse light off it when I test it going to the lead to the points. The light on the test is weak however. The coil is new and when I manually open the points they are opening and closing. I have searched the forums and found that with the clipper removed you may have to use a jumper wire in place of the circuit which I'm wondering if I may have knocked off removing the cover or trailering the boat two and half hours. I cannot find any sort of jumper wire. The old wires for the clipper are cut and have some sort of silicone around all three, but no jumper from one circuit to the other on the board. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

The clipper circuit was not on the early 1970's. It was added to protect the amplifier from high voltage spikes. Either way, no jumper is involved. I've heard stories that the clipper is not to be used with today's replacement amplifiers. I don't know about that.

Do you have the points set accurately to .010"?

Check for battery voltage at the purple wire going to the amplifier. Make sure the battery and all connections are good. It may not fire with low voltage.

Disconnect and remove the coil from the distributor cap, then remount the coil, and rig up a spark gap off the wire. Disconnect the wire going to the points and brush it against a bare metal grounded part (key on). You should get sparks off the coil wire.

If you get sparks off the coil wire this way, coil and amplifier are OK. Then move on and trouble shoot the points and distributor.

 

[rayodunne]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

I have the same motor and I recommend not putting the clipper on. If the amplifier is newer the manufacturer recommends not placing the clipper assembly back on the motor. I think you should study the wiring diagram in your manual and remove any unnecessary wires from the connector block and make sure all the connectors are in the right place and clean.
I just finish replacing the whole electrical system on mine as the previous owner had put an automotive coil and condenser on it and the wiring was a mess.
I have the original OMC Evinrude repair manual for this motor so if you need anything let me know!

 

[rayodunne]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

Also on his motor check the two wires coming from distributor base as the throttle linkage rubs on them and frays the wires.
Pull out the spark wire from the coil and hold it with insulated pliers about 1/4 inch from coil where it was attached and you should have a healthy spark jump them gap. If not it is your amplifier and coil wiring. If you do then the spark issue is under the flywheel. Let me know if I'm helping?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

Don't pull the wire from the cap. It is screwed into the cap. Otherwise, that is more or less what I suggested up above.

 

[mcgyver6857]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

thanks for all the replies I'm heading out to test some more tonight I'll let you know how it goes. Also a new question is that could I have a bad neutral safety switch? The motor will crank in all positions in drive and reverse and I took the control apart and found that the switch had been cut and spliced before. The switch is also gummed up, could this effect spark? how do I bypass this switch?


1970 Johnson 60 HP

Thanks,
Rick

 

[StevenHess]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

I have the same motor and I recommend not putting the clipper on. If the amplifier is newer the manufacturer recommends not placing the clipper assembly back on the motor. I think you should study the wiring diagram in your manual and remove any unnecessary wires from the connector block and make sure all the connectors are in the right place and clean.
I just finish replacing the whole electrical system on mine as the previous owner had put an automotive coil and condenser on it and the wiring was a mess.
I have the original OMC Evinrude repair manual for this motor so if you need anything let me know!

I would dearly love a copy (.pdf / .jpg / whatever) of the wiring diagram. I just bought a boat with the 60ESL 70B and am on a severly limited budget. If I can get the motor to start then all is well and I can spend the $ for a locally available lower unit. If not I need to sell it for what I can get from the trailer.

I have wanted a boat since Mom & Dad sold theirs when I was a teenager. Hope this works...

Thanks...

 

[jumanjii1]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

I also have the Evinrude version of that motor (60173C) and am having the same difficulties as far as starting. The Amplifier module is shot as the wires are all frayed and the insulation is missing. The Clipper assembly seems to be OK and I'd hate to replace it as it costs a tidy sum from Evinrude, like $225. And they want $377 for the Amplifier assembly. Holy cow and it's my first boat, after wanting one all my life, I'm 52 now. Is that why they say owning a boat is like having a hole you throw money into and it never seems to fill up?
Anyway I cant wait to get it out on the water, but I'd rather fix all that's wrong with the engine and boat (Mostly wiring) and launch it next spring.
OK so back to the boat I go.

PS. Anyone have a wiring diagram I could take a peak at, including the remote throttle wiring diagram?

 

[mobassman]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

I have one doing the same thing, does anyone have the wiring diagram that they could email me? 60173C no spark,trouble shooting hints?

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

My 1970 evinrude 115 hp did the same thing. sometimes she would fire up, next time was dead. I did a lot of part switching before I realized that the clipper was bypassed with a jumper wire and that that wire was not good. I eneded up taking off the part without moving my powerpack wire over to the power terminal. Once I moved that wire over she fired right up. So my belief was that jumper wire to bypass switch was bad.

 

[T0M BAJ0REK]

Re: 1970 johnson 60hp no spark

I just picked up a 1971 60hp evinrude, I was surprised to see points, as it boasts electronic ign. I got the repair manual from the library. I found my rectifier bad. I intended to replace the clipper as well. Im told it is not necessary, and a reputable dealer told me not to bother w/ the clipper assembly. I hear your call for a diagram but there arte differences between 70 and 71. I wouldnt be afraid to run it w/ out. Also, no one mentioned a jumper wire to me. I am getting big healthy spark now, but i test it by putting 12v to it, it fires in 3 spots, basically just as your points are on a cam like deal, so is the switch. Its the switch where the black/ yellow or in my case black/grey stripe leads to. there is a blade connector. I believe that is to check for sprk w/out removing the flywheel to get at it. Follow that wire, clean it up w/ wd40 or a contact cleaner. NAPA sells the diodes and rectifier for your motor.
I have seen the prices for the amplifier replacements, and that is a lot, for what it is. I would love it if the next time someone buys 1 of those $300 replacement amps w/ coil, if you would carefully take it all apart w, a razor knife and take pics. I bet its no different than a msd ign box. Also keep in mind that old chrysler automobiles used motorolla amplifiers on 12v neg ground cars. I posted a thread about pushbutton shift and every1 said get the book, well seeing as the book will cost the same as the boat I got lucky and found a few books @ the libraray.
also Ive tried posting pics etc on here but am not having luck or elkse id post the diagrams, I have em. I will email them to you through my reg email tombthebomb@yahoo.com let me know what it is you need and dont be afraid of the clipper skipper