Johnson 85 V4 - only 2 cylinders firing

[carmangary1]

I put my boat in the water yesterday and when I started it up it was running on only 2 cylinders (#2 & #4). I noticed that while it was idling that #1 & #3 eventually started firing as well. After awhile, it was running pretty smooth. I could tell it was #1 & #3 that were bad because I pulled all the plug wires one by one.<br /><br />This has happened to me a few times before and I can't figure out why. I don't think it is the carbs because I had just soaked and cleaned both of them. Besides, it was happening to #1 & #3 while #2 & #4 were working OK.<br /><br />What's going on?

 

[sparkroost]

Re: Johnson 85 V4 - only 2 cylinders firing

Pull your 4 sensor wires and ohm them out. I can't tell you what wires, because I have no idea what year motor you are runing. While ohming them out, jiggle the wires that come from the timer base and look for the reading to change. Those wires are clamped at the timer base and are prone to breaking the wires.<br /><br />If all is ok there you will need to start the motor in the dark and look for arcs to ground.<br /><br />Still not found it... you will need to check for a 1/2" spark on all 4 to ground.<br /><br />Let's start with that!