No Spark Blues !!!

[b.gagnon]

I have a mid 70’s evinrude 135hp v4 outboard. When I took the boat out of the water last season, it worked good! This past weekend I tried to start it and nothing….After determining that the motor had no spark, I had my girlfriend turn the motor over one last time while I looked for spark, and vroom I saw a nice spark and the engine roared. So feeling good we tried it again and sure enough there was no spark. Just my luck! I tried for a few hours but never got a spark again. The battery is good with full voltage and all the ground wires look good and tight. Can anyone suggest where to start ?<br /><br />

 

[clanton]

Re: No Spark Blues !!!

Remove the plugs and check for spark, engine will spin faster with plugs out, if you have good consistnce spark with plugs out.Then check trigger/timer output with plugs in and plugs out. If the voltage is up to specs with plugs out, adjust the timer air gap.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: No Spark Blues !!!

B Gagnon.... The engine cranking speed must be at least 300 rpm in order to generate ignition. As per the previous reply, remove the spark plugs in order to check the spark properly. That spark should jump a 7/16" gap on all cylinders.<br /><br />If the engine is cranking slowly (and you're sure the battery is top notch), check all of the cables to see if any of them are hot or overly warm... which would indicate a faulty or loose cable. Cables can appear tight but are not, or are slightly corroded (need cleaning) which will result in a voltage drop.<br /><br />If the battery, cables, starter etc are all okay and the engine cranks normally... and if the ignition/spark is still intermitent, remove the "Black/Yellow" wire (the pack kill circuit) from the power pack, then recheck the ignition (s/plugs still removed). If the spark is now strong and steady, replace the ignition switch. Let us know what you find.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: No Spark Blues !!!

The motor turns fast and strong, and as far as spark goes it just happened that once, and for 2 days after that nothing. The Ignition switch was replaced at the very end of last season (not to say that it’s not bad). But I will remove that wire and see what happens. I only hope it will be as simple as replacing a $15 switch. Thanx for all your help..

 

[JB]

Re: No Spark Blues !!!

Howdy, BGagnon.<br /><br />I would start by checking your Safety Lanyard kill switch and your Neutral Start switch.<br /><br />Next, I would confirm that the ignition switch is working properly.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[butkiss]

Re: No Spark Blues !!!

Another possibility ... starter seliniod not working properly while cranking - see if you have juice to the coil at run position on ingintion then check again while cranking if no juice replace seliniod