mind boggling spark problem

[sheetrock0958]

Hello, I am working on a 1981 Evinrude 35HP outboard: E35ELCIG, and am hoping somebody can help me with the spark issue that I am having.

I have been having alot of problems getting the motor to start, and know that I have good compression and getting fuel to the cylinders... so the next thing on my list to check was for spark. The bottom cylinder has good spark, but the top cylinder will only spark for about 1 - 1.5 seconds and then goes dead. So if you continuously turn the motor over it will spark for the 1 - 1.5 seconds and then won't start again. If you stop turning the motor over and wait a few seconds and start again, it will exhibit the same behavior.

Has anybody had this issue before? Any ideas as to what it could be? I tried "running it in the dark" to see if there was any arcs from bad wires, but cannot find any. This motor has me stumped and I'm about ready to loosen it from the transom and throw it in the lake! I pretty much spent 8 hrs on it today without any progress. PLEASE help if you have any ideas.

Thank You.

 

[goboatnow]

Re: mind boggling spark problem

Check all the grounds and make sure you don't have any that are corroded or loose. If you don't find any you need to get yourself a manual and start at square one and test the system all the way down the line. Sounds more like a bad connection somewhere though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: mind boggling spark problem

the best and easiest way is to completely swap the coils position and connections, if the problem follows the coil, you need to replace the coil, if it stays with the cylinder, then the power pack. 10 minutes at the most.