Intermittent spark

[svangui1]

I have some spark issues with my "87" 70 horse Evinrude. The last time I took the boat to the lake put the dang thing in the water, wouldn't fire no matter what I did, it didn't even try. Manual primed it and all, had plenty of gas, plugs were wet. Pulled it out of the water drove to the nearest hardware store got some new plugs figuring it was flooded and new plugs would do it. Put it back the water and tried it again, no go. Figured I ain't gonna be fishing today and hauled the boat back home. Pulled one of the plugs and put the wire on to check for spark and there was spark, checked the rest of the cylinders and they were sparking good too, all were throwing spark about 1/2 inch to the block. Put the plugs back in and put the muffs on and she fired right up. Thought just wasn't meant to be fishing that day. <br /><br />Well tried it again today on the muffs and same thing no fire and no spark. Checeked all the connections that I thought would cause problems and even took most of them apart and cleaned them to be sure that there would be a good connection and that did no good. Any one got any ideas? I am not too gifted with outboard motors and could use some hints.

 

[junkmonkey]

Re: Intermittent spark

are you turning on the ignition switch every time?

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

Yes I am turning on the ignition switch. I can't think of any other way to check for spark other than turning the motor over with the ignition switch. The motor doesn't have any spark as it is turning over.

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

nobody have any ideas?

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

Hey Guys, thanks for all the input!!!

 

[BF]

Re: Intermittent spark

I think;<br /><br />1) maybe the lockout that keeps the engine from being started in gear isn't working right. Does wiggling the gearshift (still in N) bring spark back?<br /><br />2) the safety lanyard switch isn't capped properly or the switch itself is no good.<br /><br />3) a bogus connection/broken ignition wire either somewhere in the control unit or at the motor end.<br /><br />Brent

 

[BF]

Re: Intermittent spark

realized as soon as I posted, that #1 can't be the cause... if it was, engine wouldn't turn over. Duhhow!

 

[Hooty]

Re: Intermittent spark

Undere the cowling is a large, red Amphenol plug. Unplug it. Next, use a jumper wore and jump 12vdc to the to the small + terminal on the starter solenoid. This will spin the starter. Check for spark. If the engine starts, the only way to kill it is to choke it, run it out of gas or reconnect the big red plug. If it does have spark, this indicates a problem with the ignition switch, the kill switch or a shorted wire in the harness. If if doesn't have spark, get back to us.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[minocqa]

Re: Intermittent spark

hi<br /> I had the same problem one time we got stranded on the lake and had to be towed in. i also had spark, so i changed the fuel pump and everything,it still wouldnt start. a friend of mine told me to just add a bottle of Heat to the gas <br />I thought he was crazy <br />turns out that was all that was the matter it bad gas and the heat took care of it <br />hope this helps<br />Don

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

1st off thanks for the replies!!<br /><br />Well, I disconnected the big red plug and jumped from the positive side of the battery to the positive on the starter solenoid with the plugs out and plugged in the spark plug wires and touching the block which did spin the motor. There was no spark at all, not even a weak one. How bad of a sign is this and what would be my next step?

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Intermittent spark

Most likely a power pack.<br /><br />TMD

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

Not to take anything away from TMD, but anyone else think of anything else? I hear those powerpaks are a bit pricey, and I don't want to replace it if there is something else I can test to be a little more sure.

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

to the top!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Intermittent spark

Those powerpacks aren't difficult to swap out. If you know anyone with a similar 70hp you might be able to "borrow" their powerpack and confirm whether yours is good or not. As long as it's off a 3-cylinder and the number of prongs on both leads match up then it should work....<br />- Scott

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

chinewalker, Good idea, I wish I did know someone else who has something similar, but no go.

 

[MadeCoolCom]

Re: Intermittent spark

You said it was sparking good notlong ago. If you have not already checked the wires that come from under the flywheel mainly the powerpack check to make sure them wires are in good shape there could be a short from the wires that come out from under the flywheel to the red plug. Make sure the insulation is good and none is missing. Should be dry also. Made sure no connections have come off are loose wire around anywhere. This is a long shot but you should check and make sure these wires are good if you have not already checked them.

 

[catfish1]

Re: Intermittent spark

check the powerpack connections, and make sure the powerpack is grounded. if its not grounded it wont fire, at least on my evinrude it wont.

 

[Mark R Groves]

Re: Intermittent spark

I had an intermittant spark problem a couple of years ago with my '89 Evinrude 40. Eventually, I realized as the timer base was moved the spark would come or go. It turned out to be an intermittant connection in the wires leading to the power pack/sensor assembly. As these wires see considerable movement during acceleration/decelleration it is understandable how they become intermittant over time. I'm not sure if your '87 motor has the style power pack that's located under the flywheel or not like mine. Nonetheless, if the wires going to inductive pick up became intermittant, I'm sure it would have the same effect. You may want to check into this... I hope this helps.

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

When I started having this problem with spark one of the 1st things I did was to go through and check all the connections. Wherever I could get to them, I took them apart and used some sandpaper to clean all the connecting points. I also check for looseness and any corrosion at the key switch. Since it seems to be pointing in that direction I ordered a new power pack at a local dealer and it should be in today. I am crossing my fingers that it works.<br /><br />I hate electrical problems

 

[svangui1]

Re: Intermittent spark

I just replaced the power pack. No spark when I turn it over whether it is by the key switch or by disconnecting the big red plug and jumping to the starter solenoid. <br /><br />What else could it be? I am getting a little frustrated here. Any help would be appreciated.