no spark! 1956 evinrude 15hp

[fastwin15]

1956 Evinrude 15 hp. i've replace everything in the ignition system - coils, points, condensers, spark plug wires, spark plugs. it's all new. i set the gap on the points to 0.20, flywheel rotates freely around... seems like everything is ready to go... except no spark. is this a grounding issue? any help would be much appreciated

 

[mla2ofus]

How does the insulation look on the coils? I have a '54 15HP 'Rude and had to get new coils for it because the insulation was badly cracked. It would start and run fine for a little while and then die. After a little while it would start again and start the whole cycle over again. The new coils fixed the problem.
Mike

 

[F_R]

Ok, so you have replaced everything. Now clean those points. I don't care if they are new, clean them. Very often they will have a non-conductive coating on them that must be removed.

 

[HighTrim]

Yup, what he said!^^^

If you have a points file, run that through a bunch of times. If no file, your can wrap wet/dry around a hacksaw blade and run that through, or better yet take them apart and polish them. Touching them against a wire wheel on a bench grinder shines them quickly.

Then, once the gap is set to 020 when the rubbing block is against the flywheel key, clean them. Dip paper stock, or business card, in acetone and run it through, Then blow off with compressed air.

 

[nwcove]

Yup, what he said!^^^

If you have a points file, run that through a bunch of times. If no file, your can wrap wet/dry around a hacksaw blade and run that through, or better yet take them apart and polish them. Touching them against a wire wheel on a bench grinder shines them quickly.

Then, once the gap is set to 020 when the rubbing block is against the flywheel key, clean them. Dip paper stock, or business card, in acetone and run it through, Then blow off with compressed air.

howdy stranger!!!!!

 

[tomhath]

Is the kill switch connected? Is the switch shorted out?

 

[bwkre]

Is this motor new to you? If you are sure you have wired it correctly, are the magnets inside the flywheel present? When the points are open the magnet should be aligned with the coil connected to that set of points. Remove flywheel, rotate crank clockwise to open a set of points. Align flywheel on keyway and confirm location of magnet (at coil connected to the open points). No magnet - no spark or wrong coil - no spark.

 

[bspeth]

Also check to make sure the spike on the spark plug spring is making good contact,and also inserted all the way into the coil.

 

[Crosbyman]

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_magneto.htm

 

[fastwin15]

i love this website. you guys are awesome. i'm gonna take a look tonight with these tips and let you know how it goes

 

[fastwin15]

got spark out of one cylinder... i'll take the flywheel off again and check all the connections and clean the point of the other side next. thx again

 

[Sirrobin53]

Ok, so you have replaced everything. Now clean those points. I don't care if they are new, clean them. Very often they will have a non-conductive coating on them that must be removed.

Sound advice. So many times its dirty points.

 

[fastwin15]

tried cleaning them again using 150 grit sandpaper and rubbing the points for a minute each. no spark on either. should i be cleaning them a different way??

 

[HighTrim]

Sometimes the "grit" gets stuck on the points face. That means no spark.

So, after the dressing, now take paper stock, dip in acetone and run that through. You will be amazed at the black streaks you wipe off of the points with that technique. Clean well, then blow off with compressed air. Hopefully, spark returns.

 

[HighTrim]

howdy stranger!!!!!

Hey Tim. Been away from this forum for a while!

 

[fastwin15]

cleaned with acetone. no spark on either wire. is there a way (maybe using my multimeter?) to systematically figure out where the problem is? like i said, everything (except the actualy flywheel and magnets) have been replaced in the ignition system. it's a 1956 evinrude 15hp if that info is of any use.

 

[HighTrim]

Ok. You sure you have the correct points wired to the correct coil? You can test the coils primary and secondary windings for a complete failure with a meter, but I don't think I have ever encountered 2 brand new coils both with severed windings. Can you post pics?

 

[fastwin15]

so some more history that may help: this is my first motor, so i have learned what the difference between a prop and a gas tank is. i am green, in other words. i replaced the condensers, points and coils before i ever gave the motor a pull because it didn't come with a recoil starter. i tried it (with my spark tester) with those parts changed and the new recoil starter and no spark. so i replaced the plug wires, and i got spark (only on 2 pulls) on one of the wires, but nothing since. couldn't upload photos (files too big) so i just posted a video at the link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrKUPBSzNA

any help would be much appreciated i'm stumped! (but i'm getting really quick and pulling that flywheel off!)

 

[HighTrim]

Just a trick, you don't need to torque the flywheel down and such to check your work for spark. Just thread the nut on finger tight, and use a rope with a knot in it to pull the flywheel over to check for spark. If all good, then you can torque down the nut, and install the recoil.

What is the gap set at on the tester?

When you pushed the wires in the bottom of the coil, did you push and twist them in, ensuring they have good contact there

Take a meter, and ensure you have continuity from the coil ground lead, to the spark plug lead.

 

[fastwin15]

i took the coils off, pulled a little more of the plug wire out and screwed the coil in deeper into the wire. still no spark on the tester. however,i don't think i can change the gap on the tester. it's actually quite large now that u say that. can i just give the motor a pull with a spark plug attached to the wires but not screwed into the motor?