NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

1963 18HP Evinrude. Not getting spark on either cylinder. I pulled starter and inspection cover. Everything looks very good visually. Before I pull flywheel I want to rule out kill switch as cause of trouble. I can't find any wiring diagrams. Is the kill switch a normally open or normally closed switch? Or how can I just wire around it or disconnect it to rule it out as the problem? And does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram online? Thanks.

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

if you can fig out which wires[black] that go under your armature plate to your point sets unhook those ,they should be your kill wires,,,otherwise take off the flywheel and you can see them on your point sets,,,unhook from pointsets,leave coil and cond hooked,,,,,,replace flywheel torqued to specs,,,you might have to choke it to kill the engine if it starts,but unhooking those black wires to the points will rule out the kill switch/s,,,,,,,,,,,,and they connect the circuit to kill the engine[grounding the spark],due to the magneto setup

 

[mike1245]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

should be black with yellow strip on switch and will be connected to a slot labled m only disconect that one if you disconect the solid black one it will never start so remember black with yellow stripe

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

So you're saying if I cut one of the kill switch wires it would rule out the switch and not the opposite? (by cutting one of the wires it would activate the kill switch???) The 2 black wires running from the kill switch to underneath the magneto plate are easy to see. Unscrewing them underneath the magneto plate or at the switch doesn't look so easy. I would have no problem cutting one of the wires and resplicing it after doing my testing if I was sure cutting one of the wires would rule out the kill switch. I do know a little about electricity but I'm not exactly sure how the kill switch functions and this one has my head spinning.

EDIT: Mine are both solid black and they do have rubber sleeves about in the middle where it looks like an easy disconect would be possible underneath.

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

trace the one going to your switch and unhook it,dont cut it

 

[samo_ott]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

The switch is normally open. When you press it, it shorts the two coils together and the engine dies. There are usually knife blades in the wire that you can disconnect them. If you see what looks to be like shrink wrap on the wires, slide it back and the wires will disconnect there. Failing that, yes you can cut one wire and make sure you tape up the end coming from the coil cause it will zap you or could short out to something else.

It is rare that both sparks have no spark. The only common area is the switch so that is a good place to look. (or the magnet on the flywheel, but that's very rare).

Did this just happen? Was the engine running and then it just failed? Or has it sat a long time? As if it has sat a long time both coils might have failed (although rare)

Post back when you find the issue.

And I'm running a '62 E18 right now on my boat. Same engine.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

There are 2 black wires that run from the kill switch to under the magneto. At the kill switch there is a rubber cover that doesn't look removable unless cut (1st pic). Unscrewing them under the magneto looks impossible without removing flywheel and armature plate. The second pic shows the rubber covers/grommets which looks like where I could disconnect each wire separately if thats what I need to do. Sorry if I am making this difficult but I just want to be sure I will accomplish what I am trying to do.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

In the second picture, what looks to be shrink wrap is just plastic covering the joint. Slide them back along the wire to expose the junction and you can disconnect them there. It's a tiny knife type connection. Slide it back and you will see it.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

samo_ott....I just saw your post after I posted my last one. I think I understand things now. Just purchased this motor. Bought it for $25. A what you see is what you get thing. Motor looks really nice except for missing prop. Almost looks like it was fogged/prop removed/ and stored. Plugs were in good shape but wet like after fogging. Filter bowl was empty and clean. Everything looks really good thru the inspection hole in flywheel. Motor looks really clean except for surface dirt. Am getting no spark on 1 cylinder and possibly weak and intermittant spark on the other. My son (who didn't want to be bothered) couldn't tell for sure and since it is a bright sunny day here I can't see for sure myself. I am going to disconnect the wires under the sleeve and go from there. Oh yeah....90 psi in each cylinder. I am very happy about that. Haven't even tried to actually start it yet. Thank you

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

If you have a weak spark, it is not likely the kill switch. Since the motor hasn't been started, I'd just pull the flywheel off and check the points and the coils. i wouldn't doubt you have cracked coils.

 

[mike1245]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

i would diconnect it at key switch best place to do it

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

yeah, if he has a key switch,it could be pull start,,,he said he is getting weak to lil fire now,,,time to pull the flywheel and take a looksee at the firing squad

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

I just decided to put everything back together and give it a try at starting. I disconnected both wires from the kill switch under the rubber sleeves. They were blade connectors that just twisted apart. Covered up all exposed ends. Squirted some gas/oil in the plug holes before I put the plugs back in. Hooked up gas tank with fresh gas and pumped bulb.....filled up filter bowl. Tried pull starting and not even a pop. I'm gonna wait till it gets a little dark and check for spark again. Thanks for all replies.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

Just to make things clear....I am not SURE if I am getting any spark on either cylinder. Between the bright sun, trying to get the tester to stay where I could see it while I tried to pull start the motor, and a son who THOUGHT he might have seen a spark once in awhile, I can't say for sure. But I thought(since I didn't feel like rearranging 2 vehicles and 2 boat/trailers to get the motor in the garage or shade) I thought I might as well just disconnect the kill switch and try that while I waited for dark. So now I am waiting for dark.

 

[mikesea]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

Just a bit of info.Those old type engines had coil problems.The coils go bad just sitting gettig old.The plastic insulation breaks down and you basically leak spark.You would be doing yourself a big favor pulling the flywheel and doing a good inspection.Actually,if I were you,Id go buy new points and condensers ,coils and wires ,if I wee to truly expect to have the engine as a reliable runner.You might find one bad coil tody,then next week have another,or a bad set of points.I have been thru that scenario years ago when I didnt have the extra few bucks everytime i had a problem.Do it all at once ,then you have the reliability.Sure it could be the kill switch or the wires to it,but if once disconnected ,you stil have a non runner,get under the flywheel.next will be your fuel ,if not already,the hoses ,diaphrams in the fuelpump get brittle,and with the newer ethonol fuels,its tough on the older parts.Replace your hoses ,and you might also do a preventitive maint.on the fuelpump.It will fail .

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

miksea is right,go through it .You might need to get a manual,it would clear some things up right off the bat.After youre firing,if the motor has been sitting for a while a carb kit would be in order,then link/sync.After youve got it to fire and run ok ,only for a very short minute,go ahead and go for the new impeller if it has been sitting a while. All depends on how much you want to do yourself and how many duckies you wanna shell out on the old girl.Hope you get her goin.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: NO SPARK... How do I rule out kill switch??? 1963 18 HP Evin

Spark test result: spark on upper cylinder, no spark on lower. Waiting for sun to set sure made it easy to see spark (or not). Guess the flywheel comes off tomorrow and as suggested ignition rebuild begins.