1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

[pjbass]

I have 1988 Johnson 140HP that broken on the lake. it was running early but won't start. Everything is crankin over but when Ipulled the spark plug, no spark. A local mechanic suggested it might be the power pack. So I had an extra one and replaced it. But still no spark. Any suggestions?

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

Kill switch?

 

[pjbass]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

how do I test that?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

Don't pull spark plug wires on a running V4 looper; you will destroy the powerpack. Use a proper spark tester and have all plugs out and grounded to the engine block (with the wires connected) unless they are connected to a tester that is grounded.

Check the kill circuit by disconnecting the black w/yellow striped kill wire at the powerpack; There is an amphenol plug in-line with only that wire to disconnect.

Note that if the engine starts, you will not be able to stop it with the key with the kill wire disconnected.

 

[pjbass]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

I removed a plug and leaned it against the engine block and did a short crank to see if spark but nothing. How do I test the power pack to see if I damaged it?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

Take all of the plugs out and ground them to the block with the wires connected, then crank. If the kill wire is disconnected and you get no spark, the probability is high that the powerpack is bad. Check all of the wires to and from the powerpack before replacing.

 

[pjbass]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

I had another powerpack, replaced it and tested the kill switch and still no spark. So what's next?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Johnson 140HP -No Spark but crankin

Did you disconnect the black and yellow kill wire at the power pack? You can't test that circuit at the helm, you have to disconnect it at the powerpack.

Next step after that would be to disconnect the rectifier and check for spark.