91 Johnson 175 Spark on left half only

[Ford06f150]

I am new on here and new when it comes to working on boat motors. I'm working on a 1991 Johnson 175 horsepower Silver Star serie j175exei. I just acquired the boat from my little brother it has been sitting for maybe over 4 years now. It did not take me long to get it up and running in the yard off of the garden hose. The stator wires were falling apart and exposing the bare wire so I picked up a used one at my local boat shop. And the motor appeared to be running perfectly. but I noticed I needed to put new motor mounts on which required me to take off the powerhead I unbolted it lifted it up with a come-along swapped out the motor mounts and dropped it back down on the mid-section and bolted it back on. Then I moved on to the next step of cleaning the tanks so that way I can attempt to run out of the onboard tank instead of a gas can. I got it running off of the onboard tank just fine with the exception of only getting spark on the left side of the motor. My basic question is I know my problem lies either in the stator or the power pack but what I am mostly curious about the power pack appears to be all one unit I know there are some models out there that have a separate power pack for the left vs the right. With mine appearing to be all one unit because you buy it as one piece does it have a separated left and right inside of it. Hopefully someone will be able to understand the question I'm asking. Is it possible for a power pack to have one side go out and one side work like in my case or with it being all inside one plastic housing would it be all or none? I'm sure somebody is going to ask me I am checking for spark using a spark tester when the engine is running I am able to get it to run and idle 4 maybe 20 or 15 seconds before it dies and that's what I'm checking for spark I start the engine walk to the back look at the spark tester turn it off and move on to the next cylinder thanks so much in advance if somebody is able to answer my question

 

[jakedaawg]

Shift interupter switch on these? I cant remember and am way far.from my manuals

 

[Ford06f150]

I really do appreciate the response but I don't have any idea what a shift interrupter is. I will probably see if I can look that up later and learn what that is. I am trying to fix the engine but I also have to say that doesn't answer the question that I was trying to get answered more than anything done a power pack still have a left and a right even though it's all one unit? I do know when you buy a power pack for my engine you buy just one and it connects the all six cylinders but does it actually have a separated left and right on the inside of it or is it all work or none work as if there's no way for just half of it to go out?

 

[Wkd179]

Its been a while but I think there are two plug ins for the pack. One will have brown yellow/red wires in it if removed engine should run fine ( no quick start shift interrupt s.l.o.w.) If now running on all six problem is likely shift interrupter if still on three pack?

 

[dingbat]

I really do appreciate the response but I don't have any idea what a shift interrupter is. I will probably see if I can look that up later and learn what that is. I am trying to fix the engine but I also have to say that doesn't answer the question that I was trying to get answered more than anything done a power pack still have a left and a right even though it's all one unit? I do know when you buy a power pack for my engine you buy just one and it connects the all six cylinders but does it actually have a separated left and right on the inside of it or is it all work or none work as if there's no way for just half of it to go out?

In a way it does answer your question because the shift interrupter monetarily shuts down a bank of cylinders (starboard I believe) when shifting gears. If the shift interrupter is not functioning properly your going to be missing a bank of cylinders

 

[Wkd179]

Power pack is one part inputs and out puts are for each cylinder

 

[Wkd179]

looked at parts and I don't see a shift interrupter.
Make sure spark plugs are correct CHAMPION was QL77JC4 but may upgrade to QL78YC4 but not sure check with a dealer for correct plug
AS parts are expensive may be best to take to a qualified tech

 

[Ford06f150]

Yes it does have two plugs at the very top and all of the coils actually attached to the power pack. one of the plugs comes out of the stator and the other one is a part of the wiring harness I believe. And then it has a single red wire that runs to the starter solenoid. I will look into the idea of unplugging the one plug if it has the colors you're referring to I do have to say if I unplug it you said I will not have QuickStart which I'm not exactly sure what that is but I have heard the term once or twice. I should be getting off of work not long from now but it's storming and lightning so it may not be the best day to go work on a boat.
The last posting about the spark plugs. five of the spark plugs are nkg and one of them is a champion u talked about. I do plan on Switching them out once I get it running good but I don't want to do it on a broken motor. Believe it or not the left sides working properly and it's all in kg the side that is not firing has the champion plug on it.
I do want to make sure I'm understanding one thing correctly someone said banks so I'm guessing one side of 3 is called a bank?
To make sure I understand this correctly I do get that it only has one input coming off of the stator and one big plug but does it actually have dedicated wires for the left and for the right or do they share the wires like only one voltage comes in and then it splits to the left bank and to the right Bank? Sorry for not using a lot of technical terms but I'm just trying to make sure I'm understanding correctly so would that be like saying that they share the wires coming from the stator and then it splits To the Left Bank and the right Bank after it gets in the power pack I thought maybe there was a chance the Left Bank could have their very own dedicated wires and then the right has their own dedicated wires even if the wires do share the same plug? I do understand how the output work there's an orange wire for every cylinder.
I would like to let the person know I do appreciate the help although I still disagree saying that a shift interrupter answers my question. I feel if the shift interrupter if I did have them and was to be malfunctioning then the power pack is not broken and I'm not asking about a good power pack I'm asking if a power pack was to actually malfunction and actually be broken the actual power pack itself is broken not something else is broken and is causing the power pack to look or act broken. So anyways the question was is it a such thing where a power pack can actually half break. And since my question would be assuming the the power pack itself is what's broken then the shift interrupter would be neither here nor there. I really honestly don't mean for that to come off as rude I really do appreciate the input and at least trying to help me but I'm not very good with this stuff so I guess you could say I was kind of looking a little bit for an answer yes it's possible that half of a power pack to break and only one side function properly or no that's not possible they all goes out at once no suck thing as half power pack. yes power packs do have a separation between Left Bank and right bank or no there's no separation it's all one . Like I said I don't want any of that to come off as rude I appreciate all the help.

 

[Ford06f150]

I just realized maybe it would help if I explain the reason I'm asking the question I've seen some listings it's on the older engines that are a little smaller and they have to power packs one on the left side and one on the right side and the one on the left only supplies the lift cylinders and the one on the right only supplies the right. so with that being said if the cylinders on the left continue to work and the ones on the right stop getting spark it could actually be the power pack that supplies to the right and I guess you could say in a way I'm kind of wondering whether there is a separation between left and right inside the power pack considering the motor does not have 2 like the ones I've read about it makes me wonder whether it's possible like is there a section inside the power pack that is dedicated to the left and then the other half inside the power pack is dedicated to the right. that's also why I say or is it all one big unit and it either all goes out or nothing goes out

 

[jakedaawg]

Go to cdielectronics.com and use their free trouble shooting guide. Easy as that.

 

[Rustywrench]

Well first of all 1991 (EI) models didn't have shift interuptor nor did early 1992 (EN), but some were added where shifting problems were encountered. The reason everybody keeps harping on this is because if shorted it will cause no fire in the starboard bank. Rare, but it happens. Simple to look & see if you have one on the shifting mechanism. I know what you are asking & yes only half the power pack can fail, but again it is rare. Anything can happen to one of these power packs! It is more likely a stator problem as the two charge coils (hate they call them that) charge the ignition system are for right & left bank. Easy enough to to check with test equipment if you have it.
With all that said it is not abnormal to see this early model not fire at cranking speed on the right bank. As soon as the motor fire & speeds up the other cylinders will pick up & you are off to the races. It has to do with the power coil placement & charge coils inability to be loaded (?) in time by the magnetic field at cranking speed.
As far as us being able to tell you what component you have out or what the possibilities are its a shot in the dark. Hope that helps you try to reason it out.
Oh BTW, you will have to run Champion spark plugs in this motor or it won't run worth a darn. QL78YC is the plug now.

 

[Ford06f150]

Well I really appreciate it a lot I'm definitely glad somebody understood what I was asking and I do understand from the beginning why they kept bringing up the shift thing bit for me its was neither here nor there. you definitely hit the nail on the head letting me know that it is rare but can happen. I'm going to CDI and use the troubleshooting guide like suggested. I do have a voltage meter and I'm going to attempt to see if I can't use that and the guide and maybe do a little troubleshooting. with your answer at least I know which direction to start at. Plus the Stator I put in was used so. I will see if I can't get me some new spark plugs like u said. I definitely wasn't expecting someone to tell me what is out I know it's a shot in the dark but at least I've got a starting point

 

[Ford06f150]

Also just wanted to mention I've heard about how the engine has to be over a certain RPM in orderin order for the right bank two Spar and that's why I did my testing when the engine was running I can get it to run for maybe 30 seconds at most on the Left Bank. During that 15 to 30 seconds of running is when i was checking for spark with the spark tester. Thanks to all and I plan on testing the stator with the voltage meter tonight soon as I get off work and I will post what I find out

 

[Ford06f150]

I was going over the troubleshooting guide cuz I plan on testing the stator when I get off of work but I wanted to make sure I was understanding something correctly I know what might be a dumb question but it says to test the stator unplug it and test it again. am I supposed to have the engine running or turning over in order to do this test?? I'm assuming when it's still plugged in I'm going to have to stick my probes in from the back of the plug somehow. I saw the abbreviation DVA and VDC I know one of them stands for volts when your meters on the DC setting. but I have no clue what the other one stands for dva?? Just want to make sure I do this test correctly I'm assuming I want to stick my probes in the appropriate spot spin the engine over and read the numbers on the meter and repeat them step for all?

 

[dingbat]

I saw the abbreviation DVA and VDC I know one of them stands for volts when your meters on the DC setting. but I have no clue what the other one stands for dva??

DVA = direct voltage adapter.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...ow-to-make-a-dva-adapter-for-multimeter/page1

 

[jakedaawg]

Also known as a peak reading voltmeter. Analog is best for these tests as the digital jump all over the place. Steven's model cd-77 is one the manuals reccomend. There are others. Ignore the ac/DC scratches. This one came from a garage sale as "broken" for $5. Apparently they did not know what it was...works perfect.

 

[Ford06f150]

Just wanted to drop an update on here I was able to run few of the test from the troubleshooting guide it suggested switching my left and right wires to see if the spark moves with the switch but I'm not getting any spark at all now so I'm having to skip that test for now. The stator past the ohm test and the rectifier passed the test of unplugging it and I made sure there was nothing blocking the optical eye by using some compressed air to blow everything out. I'm hoping maybe one side will start magic police parking again like it did the other day so I can run the one test but I'm honestly leaning towards the power pack because the stator checked out okay with the ohmmeter. I know it's a shot in the dark but my local store does eBay list with make an offer. I've had lots of luck with them accepting really low offers at least maybe it won't cost a lot to take the shot in the dark.

 

[Ford06f150]

Just wanted to drop an update I was able to get spark to come back to the left side now. I was turning the engine over and the starter sounded a little funny I decided to take it off clean it and put it back on in the process of cleaning it I noticed there was Liquid pouring out of the starters mounting location. It look like water so I tilted the engine up as best as I could and got all the water out that I could get to come out it's been raining extremely hard the past 2 days it even rain today the boat is under a carport but it appears that the tin roofth is God a leak directly above the motor and it just so happens I happen to keep the cover off so I think the stator compartment was flooded with water. after that is when I started seeing spark on the left side going to take the stator out and make sure all the water is gone and clean it. but in the meantime I went ahead and ran the test from the CDI troubleshooting and swap my left and my right and the spark did not move I still get it on the left and I still don't get it on the right no matter what side I have plugged into the right side so I'm guessing maybe I will need a power pack after all. But before I buy it I think I will clean out the stator compartment just to be on the safe side before I spend the money.

 

[Ford06f150]

Turns out the test that I ran was accurate. crossing your stator wires where it goes into the power pack so the left now becomes the right and the right becomes the left. considering no matter which way I had them only my left foot work that told me my stator was good because the right side was putting spark on the left side of the power pack when I had themconsideri got a new power pack today and everything works great I do need to change one coil it's actually sparking through a crack in the back of the coil on to the middle plate that's on the power pack. And hopefully that will solve my issue any time I touch the throttle it dies but it idles perfectly fine