1972 Evinrude 40hp Cutout Switch

[carpking]

New points, condensors, coils, etc but no spark on bottom cylinder. Looking at an old post, someone said you could check cutout switch by checking continuity between side post and center post of cutout switch. I did that and I am reading continuity between the two. Same thing when I check across wires that will be used for kill switch. Can I conclude that I have a defective cutout switch or am I misled on how to test it? Thanks in advance.

 

[TwoRivers]

New points, condensors, coils, etc but no spark on bottom cylinder. Looking at an old post, someone said you could check cutout switch by checking continuity between side post and center post of cutout switch. I did that and I am reading continuity between the two. Same thing when I check across wires that will be used for kill switch. Can I conclude that I have a defective cutout switch or am I misled on how to test it? Thanks in advance.

If cut off switch is issue you'll have no spark on any cylinder.

 

[carpking]

Sorry, I am referring to the vacuum cutout switch. It's my understanding, when activated, it only cuts spark to bottom cylinder.

 

[boobie]

The cut out switch only has continuity if the motor over revs when running and then it kills the bottom cylinder. Sounds like yours is bad.

 

[carpking]

So if I take the points lead off of switch, I should at least be able to verify that spark returns, correct?

 

[F_R]

That is correct, but the rest of the story is that it would be extremely unlikely that the cut-out switch is preventing spark. It requires vacuum pulling against a big spring to close the switch. No vacuum, and the big spring is holding the switch open and it is not doing a darn thing when open.

You should be checking continuity across the switch with the wires removed. Are you?