evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

[mike-evin-50hp]

Any ideas? My 1996 Evinrude 3-cyl 50HP tiller has developed an intermitnet no spark condition to all 3 plugs. Kill switch, wires and grounds have been checked. It seems to start first thing in the morning, then 3 hours later-no spark. This has become more frequent over the last couple weeks. Sometimes starts, sometimes not. Several mechanics suspected power-pak. Installed new pak, no spark. Re-installed old pak, started again. This no spark condition does not seem to be related to temperature. What can occasionaly cause no spark to all 3 plugs. Suggestions welcome.

 

[Backlash]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

I'd take another look at the kill switch. <br />Backlash

 

[almost retired again]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

Hi Mike,<br />As far as I know there is only 2 things that can cause you to loose fire on all 3 cyls. at once. One is the charge coil wires, the brown and brown/yellow wires that come from under the flywheel. Could be a chaffed wire going to ground sometimes,or a wire that opens ever now and then. Two is the kill wire (black/yellow) that could have bad insulation somewhere causing it to ground out, or the kill switch,or key switch.<br />You can eliminate the last two by unplugging the big red cannon plug at the engine, then jumpering from the battery on top of the start solenoid to the small terminal with the yellow/red wire on it. This will let you start the engine, but be advised that the only way to stop it is to plug the cannon plug back in, or choke it out with the primmer solenoid.<br />Hope this helps let us know how it comes out.

 

[mike-evin-50hp]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

Thanks to Backlash and Amost Retired for responding. I checked the kill switch wires again and they look fine. Almost Retired - I did not see a big red Cannon plug. However, can the kill switch be disabled by removing the blk wire going to ground on the power-pak mounting bolt? <br />Also, my start switch is not the key switch, if this matters. My start button is seperate from the key switch and mounted on the base of the tiller near the primer solenoid button.<br />Finally, yesterday afternoon on the trailer, motor started fine with old pak, installed new pak and no start. Re-installed old pak and started fine.Is it possible that I have a defective new pak from OMC(#5004533)? Can this along with the old pak be bench tested?<br />Since motor was running, I dropped in water and ran for more than an hour, starting and stopping -no problem. After dinner, down to pier, no start, no fishing. Half hour and 1 beer later back to pier, starts no problem and go fishing for 1 1/2 hours. Sunday 6:30 AM, down to pier, starts fine. <br />Hope to fish today and not use trolling motor to get home. Any more suggestions would be great.<br />Thanks -

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

Mike.... Intermitent ignition on a engine such as what you have is usually caused by a faulty ignition switch, and the intermitent periods get worse as time goes by (as you've indicated). From what you've said, you do not use a ignition switch to start your engine, but I'm unsure if you have a ignition switch incorporated in the circuit to shut down the engine, choke/prime it etc.<br /><br />At any rate, to eliminate the circuitry that would normall go to the kill circuits, ignition switch etc etc, remove the "Black/Yellow" wire that you'll see leading to the powerpack at the pack plug in connector. If the engine now runs as it should, and if you do incorporate a ignition switch.... the switch (or any other component in that circuit) would be suspect. Let us know what you find.

 

[mike-evin-50hp]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

Down to the pier at 9:00AM and no spark!<br />Off with the cover and this time I disconnected the plug that houses the kill switch wire - 1 blk/yel in, 2 out. Still no spark. Decided to remove the blk wire from the kill switch that goes directly to ground. Still no spark.<br />Inspected the charge coil wires and found nothing obvious. Whats next? Off with the flywheel.<br />Thanks.

 

[mike-evin-50hp]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

Joe, <br />Thanks for responding. I must have been entering my previous reply at the same time you were. I have a key switch (on/off) in the boat and a starter push button and kill switch on the tiller.<br />I removed the blk/yel from the kill switch to the powerpack by disconnecting the Amphenol connector. No spark. Whats next? Remove key switch?<br />Thanks - Mike.

 

[clanton]

Re: evin '96 3cyl 50hp intermitent no spark

I would check ths stator output to power pack, stator output good, check timer. This engine also has glued in flywheel magnets, may be loose.