'90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Lk40hp

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I just bought a 1990 crestliner with a 1990 evinrude vro 150hp. The guy said it ran great in 2013, but when he pulled out of storage this spring it wouldnt start. So whatever went bad must have been while it was sitting, not it running and died. It has no spark except in the starter side middle cylinder. I took off the lead and tried on all other coils with that wire, and all had spark with that lead. I removed flywheel and cleaned grime off stator and magnets, and I checked the inline fuse on the motor. I also hooked up to battery charger to make sure it was turning over quick enough. Nothing helped... power pack? Stator? By looks the stator looked good, not burnt looking...
Thanks!
 

boobie

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Got a model # ?? As just a guess, I'd say power pack.
 
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Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

E150stlesb...
 

boobie

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Go to cdielectronics.com for trouble shooting procedures.
 

Bosunsmate

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Test with a multimeter your stator then the timing base then suspect power pack.
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

I will check out cdielectronicse, and buy a multimeter... what am I looking for off the stator and power back? Any certain volts or a hot wire, or blinking wire? J suppose a test light won't help...
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Oh sweet, I see all that on the cdielectronics now, thanks. I will let you know what I find.
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Bought a multimeter, will check today or tomorrow
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Are you testing for spark with "ALL" spark plugs removed? If not, do so.

To obtain the proper cranking rpm in order to have power applied to fire "all" six (6) cylinders, the spark plugs must be removed.

With the plugs installed, no matter what you do, the cranking speed will not fire all plugs. When actually attempting to start the engine, one or more plugs will fire within six (6) revolutions that increases the rpm instantly which results in having "all" of the spark plugs fire. An idiosyncrasie of the Magneto Capacitance Discharge ignition system.

If by doing the test as stated above, you now have proper spark, the usual problem an engine encounters that prevents it from starting is fouled, clogged, gummed carburetors.
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Joe, I did take all spark plugs out and hooked it to a battery charger on 50A.

Does anyone know how to test the stator or power pack with a multimeter? What wires do I test, what are the specs for both?
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

I went down to work on it today (multimeter in hand), and tested the spark on it again. Every time I've went and worked on it I've rechecked the spark, and have re checked the spark a good 5 times now. So what I found is it had spark on two cylinders now, and I didn't even have it on the charger. A friend here had then suggested that it maybe was working through some issue, so I took all the spark plugs off the wires and turned it over to 30 seconds straight. I then retested spark and it had spark on 5 cylinders. So I took off the carbs and went through them, and hooked up the gas and it started! I'm just assuming that after a little bit of run time the 6th one will start sparking. I'm not making that up either, it was the weirdest thing! My only thought is that the magnets or stator still had gunk on them, and rubbed off. Not sure, but sure am happy its going. Thanks to all who put input in on this thread.
 

emdsapmgr

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

That engine must crank at least 250 rpm's in order to fire the ignition system, so: make sure you have the correct size battery so that the starter able to spin it at that rpm.
 

racerone

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Take the starter apart for inspection !!!!!!-------These starters are notorious for cranking and sounding OK to the untrained ear.-------Very easy to inspect / test / repair.---May just need new brushes.----I install those all the time at $5.00 a set.
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

I'm just assuming that after a little bit of run time the 6th one will start sparking.

If you're leaning towards running that engine for any length of time, thinking that some magical happening is going to correct that no ignition to #6 cylinder problem... I suggest you do not.

Eventually the unburn fuel in that cylinder will overcome the oil mixture... too much gas, too little oil. This result in what we call a "washout" condition... friction tears the piston and cylinder up pretty good!
 
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Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Ok, I will take the starter up to a local electric motor shop, we've had them rebuild about 6 starter for us, and it takes a day and is about $30. For that price it won't hurt to have it freshened up! I'll drop the starter off tomorrow, as we have go up there tomorrow for a transom support. (I plan on putting the 150hp on my 85 glastron cvx17, so had the metal shop there make me a plate...) I'll also run it for just a few minutes and check for spark again after that and post what I find, Joe that "washout" does not sound like any fun!
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Well we just got 10" of snow so won't be working on it for a few days. Tuesday here has a high of 70, so am hoping to get to it then, I don't think the snow will last long.
 

Lk40hp

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Well, I got the starter rebuilt, and put it on. It started up fine and I ran it for about 5 minutes. I put my hand on each cylinder and each one was hot. I stuck it on the cvx17, put new guages in, rewired the boat, put a radio in, and did a few other things. All it needs now is a steering cable and then its going in the lake! Ice just went off today.
 

kevinhaney

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

I have the same no spark on my engine. I am charging the battery as I write this.
Please read my post and give me some suggestions
I have a 1994 TE150GLET engine on my boat. The Boat ran fine last summer. I am getting ready for the upcoming boating season, now it won't start. I did not do anything to the boat over the winter. I bought a new battery, and went to start the boat, and the engine would not turn over. I found a had voltage at the starter motor, so I pulled it off and found the brushes and bushings need to be replaced. Re-installed the starter motor and the engine turned over, but would not start. Pulled the plugs, and none of them would spark. Using the OMC service manual I found the 2 black with yellow tracer in the 5 place Packard plug did not test properly. The black with yellow tracer in position G would go to ground when the key switch is off, and show open when the key is turned on. The black with yellow tracer in positiobn B would show open with the key switch on or off. I have taken the black with yellow traceer off the key switch, and still do not have any spark at the spark plugs. The deadman kill switch is hard wired into the wiring harness of the boat, and I do not want to tear into that if I do not have to. I am leaning toward replacing the power pack, but would like more opinions before I spend couple of hundred dollars on a non-refundable part.
Thank you,
Kevinhaney
 

Bosunsmate

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Re: '90 VRO 150hp v6, no spark except one cylinder

Kevin.
you will need to post a new thread. Doing this is called hijacking a thread.
post a new thread button is in red on the left of the main page
 
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