Need some help figuring out No Spark all of a sudden

[WA-Newb]

I just recently got back onto this 1987 Johnson 120...it was having a rough idle issue so I went through all of the carbs and replaced the VRO unit with a standard pump...when done it idled great and I thought I was ready for the water....NOT.

First problem was...it would die when I tried shifting it into gear at the launch but it was getting late so only tried a couple of times before calling it a night.

NOW TODAY..I was getting ready to head back down and try again but I get NO SPARK when trying to warm it up in the drive way...ugh!

Battery is new and connections are solid and clean...

Can someone tell me how to bypass the Neutral Switch and what else to check after that please.

Thank you.

 

[pn]

Re: Need some help figuring out No Spark all of a sudden

check for a loose/dirty ground.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Need some help figuring out No Spark all of a sudden

Battery is new and connections are solid and clean...


.

Engine end too????

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need some help figuring out No Spark all of a sudden

I have just gone through all grounds and connections again..checked and cleaned them all (had just done this a month ago as well though)...but no luck, still has no spark.

Last time I started it was at the boat launch and it died when I tried to put it in gear...I am thinking there is some switch somewhere that I am unaware of that may be stuck or corroded...maybe in the shift lever??? I did try to move the lever back and forth but no luck.

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need some help figuring out No Spark all of a sudden

I found an archived thread where Joe Reeves said to check for spark by doing the following...

If there was no spark, on engines from 1973 up, disconnect the RED main electrical plug at the engine. Remove the s/plugs. crank the engine via the starter solenoid jumper bat term to small 3/8" term nut, not the ground nut and observe spark. If spark is now okay as stated above, the usual cause is a shorted ignition switch.

I did this test and still had no spark...not sure what to check next.

One thing to add that I did recently..before trying to start it.
I cut the two wires that went to the VRO oil tank so I could remove the tank...I was not using it but maybe those wires were some sort of kill switch or something for when oil was low??? Anyone know about those?