1977 Johnson ignition switch probs??

[moneypit01]

Can anyone help me out with why this igntion switch will crank with fire when i have not time to work on the boat? And will crank with NO FIRE when I have time? Bad switch? Or just not the right time? I bought this boat cheap and just about ready to sell, but I pulled the carbs off to rebuild and now I have this Problem! Can anyone help?? Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: 1977 Johnson ignition switch probs??

What size motor?

Anyhow, reading between the lines, I suspect a battery or starter problem. It has to be cranking a certain RPM in order to have fire. They can sound like they are cranking just fine, but not be fast enough. 200RPM seems to be the absolute minimum.

To troubleshoot that problem, remove the spark plugs and then run the starter. If you have fire with the plugs out, but not in, you have a cranking speed problem. (Cranks faster with no compression)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1977 Johnson ignition switch probs??

also explain better what you mean by "no fire." No spark, or won't "catch" and start?
Trouble shoot your kill switch, too, b/c it will let it crank over but cuts off spark to the plugs.
Try jumping directly from the battery to the starter, too.

The worst news is that your problem is intermittant.