82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

[kjglastron]

I have the opportunity to pick up an early 80's Glastron runabout with a 90hp evinrude really cheap. The owner used it not more than two years ago and, although its been sitting since, astetically, it is in good condition (minus a steering pin). The electronics on the console all appear to work and both the trim and the starter work. However, I get no spark whatsoever.<br /><br />Where should I start? Are there any simple tests to narrow doen the possibilities?

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Have you removed the plug wires from the sparkplug and held them close to the motor to check for spark?

 

[marinemech1]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

is the thether cord attached to control box??<br />does it have a string or red cord??<br />if string type (black rubber cap) remove cap and hold in button does it have spark now?<br />if sparking pick up a 432230 cord and have fun.<br />if its still not sparking post back

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Originally posted by Saskatoon2005:<br /> Have you removed the plug wires from the sparkplug and held them close to the motor to check for spark?

Yep, that's about the only test I knew and I got nothing.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Thanks for the reply MarineMech1. Your obviously more knowledgable than I seeing as I have no clue about tether cords and control boxes. Each plug wire goes to its own regulator/rectifier(?). I have pix if that would help.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

kj...what MM1 is refering to is the emergency kill switch. This should be on the control box or mounted on the dash board. It's a simple button with a three pronged key on it or a small round cap to keep the button depressed. A tether will be attached to both. The idea is that the tether would be connected to the driver via a clip. If for some reason the drive is thrown from the boat, the tether would pull the key or cap from the button thus stopping the engine. <br /><br />If you have an OMC side mount control, the emergency kill switch would be located just to the rear of the control lever. It will have a little hood over it. The switch can also be mounted on the dash board next to the key switch. <br /><br />If the button on the kill switch is not depressed, the engine will not start. It grounds the power pack out.

 

[DJ]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

There is a fuse, near the starter solonoid, that controls the ignition.<br /><br />It is in a black connector and looks like a regular wire connector.<br /><br />The fuse is five amp if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Thanks OBJ. THe kills switch is something I am familiar with (though I haven't check it. Marinemech1's description lead me to look under the cowling rather than the dash. I'll take a look tonight when I get home. I feel both real stupid and relieved if that's the cause.<br /><br />I'll check the fuse, too, DJ<br /><br />Thanks

 

[OBJ]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

I think the fuse is a 20amp.....Little short bugger.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

There is no red kill switch on the dash (only 3 toggles; horn, lights, & bilge) Nor on the control box. However, there is a three prong plug on the back of the control box, underneath the key and rich/lean adjustment with a black shroud. The wires appear to run up to the dash. I didn't have time to trace them.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

That would be the tach leads kj.<br /><br />OK....so you don't have an emergency kill switch. Some of the earlier controls didn't have them.<br /><br />Now...back to the original problem of no spark.<br /><br />Reading the post from Saskatoon, he sugest to to pull the plug wires and crank the engine while holding the end of the plug wire close to a clean ground. Good idea. To make it easier, cut the head off a 10penny nail and stick the cut off end of the nail into the plug wire. Use some insulated pliers to hold the pointed end of the nail 7/16 to an inch from a clean ground. Have some one crank the engine and see if you have spark. Do this for each plug wire. The spark should be thick and hot.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Holding the plug against the block was the first thing I tried and got absolutely nothing. I was praying for the kill switch fix.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Get this OBJ...<br />I checked the fuse and found it is blown and that somebody had wrap a tiny piece of foil around it to jump it.<br />So, this brings up some questions.<br />Does the foil actually conduct well enough to run the engine? Because, if not, a new fuse might put an end to all the trouble. More concerning though, can bypassing the fuse have ruined any electricall components "downstream"?

 

[DJ]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Don't know if anything is ruined, as of yet.<br /><br />Try a known good fuse of the same amp rating. It doesn't have to be the short one-for testing.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Well, I replaced the fuse and turned it over as long as the battery would allow. Nothing. Not even a poop or sputter.<br />The fuse didn't blow, it is getting fuel, the electric choke appears to respond. What's left?<br />Is there a voltage regulator upstream of the fuse?

 

[Walker]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Recharge your battery and do one more test. Unplug the big cannon plug on the main wire harness that goes into your motor. Then jump the starter soleniod to spin your motor. Check for spark.

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

I'll try it but how can the plugs get energized if the 'big cannon plug' is unplugged? <br /><br />And...if it does spark, what's the culprit/solution?

 

[kjglastron]

Re: 82 Evinrude e90tl turns over but no spark

Thanks Walker<br />I unplugged the big cannon connector, jumped the starter, and have a spark. Other than the fuse, what downstream of the cannon plug can ground it out?