1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

[PRAIRIEOUTLAW]

I have a 1993 model Johnson 88spl hanging on the back of a 20' pontoon that I'm having an issue with and would love someone to give me a bit of insight and possible paths to take. I bought the engine from a guy after watching it run while on the muffs. Brought it home and it ran great as well before I hooked it up on the boat. After I installed it to my boat and hooked the T&T up I had problems getting it to start. At first I thought it wasn't getting gas so I checked all that. Finally I found that during hooking up the T&T I had attached that to the hot side of the selinoid and it was causing a problem. Disconnected it and it fired right up. Took it to the lake and it ran so good I felt like I stole the engine from the guy I bought it from. I ran the gas out of the carbs and the boat set out through the long winter. The other day I tried to start it and nothing at all. No spark to begin with according to my dad which was watching for me. (his eye sight is kinda bad though) I checked every wire and connection that I could find and even unhooked the power pack and reconnected the ground to it just in case. After that I am getting a small amount of spark but doesn't seem to be enough to start the thing. (Dad says it now has more spark than it did prior to me fooling with the power pack) I'm wondering if there is any way to check this thing before I spend the money for one. Also anything else I should check? I'm kinda having a problem with this one.
Compression is good, I've even sprayed gas directly into cylinders to make sure its getting gas, but I've only gotten two pops of the engine that sounded productive.
HELP!
Thanks,

 

[PRAIRIEOUTLAW]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

TTT- I could really use some advice on this. Thinking bout just taking it to the shop but hate to drop money on something I can fix myself. Thanks for any advice.

 

[barrrj]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

I would first make sure the batter and connections are all good, battery charged, connections hot and ground clean and tight.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

Check the battery. It needs to spin the engine between 200 and 250 rpm to get the ignition system to fire.

 

[PRAIRIEOUTLAW]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

OK well the battery was low when I was trying to get it fired up, but that doesn't seem to be a big deal after I have gotten it going in the past. Usually just a quick bump of the key and it's purring like a kitten. I have charged the battery now and will check the firing again. I did try to start it after the battery was fully charged and it still didn't even pop but I will say I didn't fool with it other than just hitting the key to see if it was gonna fire off. Today I'll check the firing again to see if its throwing good fire. Any other suggestions are definately welcome.
Thanks to you guys that piped up.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

We need to know: does the engine turn over with the starter? Is it at least 200-250 rpm? Does the fuel primer solenoid work? Pull that small hose off the hose barb on top of the carb and prime the hose bulb, turn the key switch to on, and push in on the key-fuel should come out of the hose.

 

[larryg]

Re: 1993 model Johnson 88spl Question

maybe start with a open air gap tester from advanced auto.sometimes the eye cant see but the tester will tell u.i believe the gap should be 7/16 this will tell u if you have good spark if any at all.