Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

urcowboy · May 23, 2002

Engine was running fine until I shut the key off on the lake, when tried to restart, nothing. Got back to dock & discovered I had lost all spark on both plugs. The model # is 50273 C; Serial # E01339; 1973 50hp Evinrude. Can someone give me some pointers on what this could be? Have been told that it has electronic ignition, not points. Can this be correct on this old of moter? Any help would be appreciated.

gonegatorfishing · May 23, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Yes it does have a CDI ignition. Clymer manual for 73 - 90 48 -> 235 hp will help you on this one. From this make sure it is realy in neutral. And have a look at the key switch

Solittle · May 23, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

I am far from a being a motor "techie" but I would check the safety switch in the control box first. It is a switch that prevents the engine from starting unless the gearshift is in neutral. Just put it in gear/neutral/gear/neutral (to exercise the switch) then hit the key. Hopefully you will be pleasently surprised.

urcowboy · May 23, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Thanks so far guys, I will check out the key switch. I also forgot to mention that it is an "electrashift" push button shift and that the prop does turn slowly while cranking on the moter. Is this normal?

gonegatorfishing · May 24, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

You will get some drag while it's turning over. If it's truly in neutral you should be able to easily rotate the prop by hand

urcowboy · May 25, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

I pulled switch out and will replace, have had several other people "offline" tell me to check it first before going further. Switch has 5 posts; are all 5-post switches pretty well interchangable? Can't find any part #'s on switch, looks to be original ('74 Mark Twain 17 ft fiberglass tri-hull). Also, is there still a safty switch for nuetral on the push button controls? If so, is there a way to check it or is that something that will just have to be replaced? Once again guys, thanks for all the help.

gonegatorfishing · May 25, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

I would sugest very strongly that you get a manual. You should be able to test a switch with a multi meter or a test lamp. I am not a mechanic, but looking in the book sugests that pin "M" on the key switch goes to the power pack on some engines. But veryify this for your self. Clymer book b736 ISBN 0-89287-555-0

urcowboy · May 27, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Not the ignition switch, replaced it w/ a new one and still no fire. Will get a manual and go from there. Any further ideas will still be appreciated as nearest decent marina/outboard mechanic is approx. 3 hrs away. Thanks again!

gonegatorfishing · May 27, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

The manual I have would probably help you. From what I understand. You have 12v coming from the battery to the switch From there you have the crank circuit going to the starter solenoid via the neutral switch. A 12v line going back to enable the ignition system. one for the choke solenoid as well. one for accessories. The saftey switch appears to be able to kill the ignition. Might pay to have a look at this. If the module is working ok on the lines to the coils from the power pack you should be seeing at least 100 volts. If not you need to check the stator etc before junking the module Since you are cranking most of the ciruit is probably ok. Might pay to check the saftey switch. The saftey switch goes to ground and when the lanyard is in place it the switch should be open.

urcowboy · May 29, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Tried to turn prop by hand, does not freewheel, seems to turn over moter if enough force is used. When cranking moter, prop spins slowly for about one revolution then stops. Is it stuck in gear? Have even tried spinning prop w/ key on, have ran switch thru for/ntrl/rev several times but doesn't help. Where can I find info on the shifter? Its a three push button switch, the cover plate says "Evinrude Selectric", the actual switch appears to be sealed up.

gonegatorfishing · May 29, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Hi I found these 2 under Topic: 1971 60hp johnson with hydro electric drive From this it may be reasonable to guess that the unit may only go into neutral when the key is on. I have seen a link in one of the Evinrude topics for a place that will supply manuals. Sorry I cannot find it right now These might help you. This came from Joe Reves (Battery Capacitance Dischage Powerpack Test) Purchase a small 12v bulb at your local automotive parts store, Radio Shack, Wherever, (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. 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 (usually a 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. From Schematic should be 2 wires going down into leg. Blue and green. no voltage to either = forward voltage to green and blue = reverse voltage to green only = neutral check these voltages. If you have them as specified, flush the bottom gear oil with dextron III and refill with the proper oil "type C" if you don't have power to the green only when in neutral, check the switch in control box.... disconnect the green and blue solenoid wires at the knife connectors. Check the resistance of each solenoid by going from green to ground, then blue to ground. You should get 5-6ohms on each lead. A shorted (less resistance) solenoid will cause high diode temp.....

urcowboy · May 29, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Gator, You've been alot of help! Still haven't got it going yet but appreciate the help. Going to take it up to my dads tomorrow (mechanic w/ 40 yrs. exp, might save me some time & let me get back on the water this summer

) Will let you know what we figure out. Also, just curious but am I correct about the year of the moter? just assumed the year from the model #.

gonegatorfishing · May 30, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

I would not bet on it being a 73. might be a 72 but I am guessing. I could not find the model numbers for thing prior to 1980 bombader have redone the page and killed the place where you used to be able to find out. 1-866-EVINRUDE They should be able to help you.

gonegatorfishing · Jun 7, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Ok found a link for you. http://www.marinshopen.se/guide/omc/evin7.htm 50273 is 1972

Billy Bob · Jun 8, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

This came from Joe Reves (Battery Capacitance Dischage Powerpack Test) >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. Hello All Is this 70 amp hours correct? Is this perhaps the cold cranking amps? No... Can't be. RC... Reserve charge?? Thought that was rated in minutes? What exactly is this as I do not want to crap out my power pack. By the way, my battery (new) is rated at 160 minutes RC. How long should I expect it to push my 35 pound trolling motor? To make it easier, let's say it is day with no wind on a lake. While we are at it.... What is the difference in a marine and non marine battery? Before buying this one, I had seen a battery that had 1000 CCR cold cranking amps and RC reserve capacity of 270 minutes. It was not termed a marine battery however. Probably weighed 80+ pounds too. Came with 2 carrying straps.

thanks Billy Bob

urcowboy · Jul 7, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

OK gonegator, told you that I would get back to you and let you know what I figured out. Bought a book and believe that it is the stator, know of any good places to order one of these? have found a place that might have a used one for around $150, is this about right?

urcowboy · Jul 14, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

Same problem, another question. When checking stator using ohm-meter, manual says that should be reading approx. 750 ohms, is this while moter is being cranked?

urcowboy · Jul 14, 2002

Re: Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

as far as this safty switch...is there a way i can test it w/ my multi-meter? can i check it for continuity?

Help, No fire on '73 Evinrude 50hp

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