68 johnson 100 hp ignition project

Dm82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
31
So I have now replaced the stator, rotor, distributor and wires. Turn it over and still no spark. AHHHHHHH. How frustrating. I did buy the manual and am now noticing that 1: the voltage regulator is not on motor anymore and 2)the voltage suppressor is also gone. Now it is my understanding that these are used to charge that battery and not generate a spark. Is this accurate? So now I am left with trying to test either the rectifier or the pulse transformer. I did test the rectifier for continuity and all is well. As for the pulse transformer the only test the manual suggests is to pull the wire and see if the spark jumps. And you guessed it no spark. Is there any ohter way to test or should I just buy a new one? Please leave me your thoughs as I am just about at my wits end with this motor. Thanks in advance.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 68 johnson 100 hp ignition project

(Voltage Drop To Battery Capacitance Discharge)
( Pulsepack When Electric Starter Is Engaged)
(J. Reeves)

On the older Battery Capacitance Discharge ignition systems (1968-1972), the electric starter reaches a point, even with a top notch battery, whereas the starter will draw excess voltage/current/whatever which results in a voltage drop to the pulsepack. The cure is to purchase a diode which is capable of handling 12 volts and installing it between the starter terminal of the starter solenoid (NOT the battery cable terminal) and the wiring terminal that supplies voltage to the pulsepack.

The diode must be installed so that the current flows from the starter terminal of the solenoid to the pulsepack... NOT vice versa. When that diode is installed in this manner, when the key is turned to the start position, the voltage that is applied to the starter is also applied directly to the pulsepack via the diode effectively eliminating the voltage drop and energizing the pulsepack with the required voltage needed for its proper operation.

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay store at:

http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store
********************
(Battery Capacitance Dischage Powerpack Test)
Various OMC Engines - 1968 to 1972)
(J. Reeves)

Purchase a small 12v bulb at your local automotive parts store (the 12v bulb is to look like a flashlight bulb, not a headlight bulb). Solder two wires to that bulb, one to the side of the bulb (ground), and the other to the positive point. You might use a bulb of a somewhat lower voltage to obtain a brighter glow... just a suggestion.

Remove the spark plugs. With the key in the on position, make sure that you have 12v going to the pack at the terminal block (purple wire). Now, connect the ground wire from the bulb to any powerhead ground. Connect the wire from the positive point of that bulb to the powerpack wire that is connected to the coil wire on the terminal board (blue wire).

Crank the engine and observe that bulb closely (CLOSELY!). If that bulb glows even the slightest bit, the powerpack is okay. It may be a very dim glow... just so it glows! If it doesn't glow, the pack has failed.

Keep in mind, that type powerpack (Battery Capacitance Discharge) demands a top notch battery of at least 70 amp hours. Any less will, in time, cause powerpack failure.
 

Dm82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
31
Re: 68 johnson 100 hp ignition project

Thank you so much Joe. I am heading to the garage to test right now. Will post results. Hopefully the pack is fine seeing as it is only one year old and cost about 400 dollars.
 
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