1988 Evinrude loses spark to #4 after quick start drops out

[roger3645]

Hi everyone. I have a new to me 1988 Evinrude 120 Model E120TLCCA. Had the boat out for the second time today running this motor. First time out it ran great until I was heading back in when it started to miss and surge. Today I took it out and after clearing the no wake zone I went to get on plane and it didn't seem to run right. I checked for spark with a timing light and found no spark on the #4 cylinder. Went back to the ramp and replaced the coil, wire and spark plug with known good ones. I got spark back to number 4, so I thought. Cleared the no wake zone and the same thing no spark number #4. I fished for a while and let the motor cool down a bit. Put the timing light back on #4 started the motor and had spark again while the quick start was engaged. Once the quick start dropped out, I lost spark. I tried to rev the motor a bit but spark did not return. The power pack is a CDI and appears to be new as well as the coils and plugs. Is it a bad power pack?

 

[flyingscott]

Do the tests CDI should help you with this if it is still under warranty. 1988 model does not have qwik start.

 

[racerone]

Agreed.-----If the powerhead is original there is no " quick start " on those years.-----Is serial # on block the same as the midsection sticker.

 

[roger3645]

Agreed.-----If the powerhead is original there is no " quick start " on those years.-----Is serial # on block the same as the midsection sticker.

I just checked, still have original powerhead. By quick start I mean that it starts very easy, idles high until motor reaches about 95 degrees and then drops down to normal rpms. Then once warm, it starts very easy idles high for about 5 seconds and then drops down to normal. It is during these high idle periods that I have spark on #4. Also, I do have a white and black wire coming from power pack to heat sensor. This is why I thought it had quick start. Yes serials numbers match.

 

[racerone]

Well maybe 1988 was the first year for " quick start " on these.