1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

[RudyK]

Can't get spark, and also, can't get it into neutral. Is there a neutral safety switch on this motor?

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

With no spark and the unit stuck in fwd gear (that is default) I would make sure that there is 12 volts at the switch and back to the motor

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

This is a battery, capacitor discharge ignition, but still using breaker points. There are any number of possible failures on this system to explain here. Points, rotor, cap, vacuam switch, pulse pac, and coil. You really need an OEM manual, and read it over carefully. That system can be hard for a mechanic, if he was'nt brought up with the system. Tell where you have been, and we will see if we can help you along.

 

[RudyK]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

I can turn the key and motor turns over but points are not getting power, noris there power to the alternator. Have changed coil, points. All wiring appears to be good.<br /><br />This motor has been sitting for approx. 10 years and I was told it was last used, working fine, then stored.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

With the key on, do you have battery voltage on the purple wire going to the power pack. It should not drop below 9 1/2 volts when cranking. The points are set a .010 on this engine. On the right side of the engine is a vacuam switch, press in on the rubber cover while cranking. This will complete the ignition circuit.

 

[RudyK]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

Yes there is power on the purple wire to the power pack.<br /><br />Tried completing the circuit by pressing on the rubber cover while cranking; no spark.<br /><br />Question: with key turned on, there is power from both wires coming from this vacuum switch, but with ignition off, only the red wire has power. Is this correct?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

Yes! Here is another thing to try, disconnect the black, with white stripe wire to the points. With the key on, take this wire coming from the pack, and strike it to ground across the engine block. Each time the wire makes, and breaks contact, the coil shold fire a 3/8 gap, or better. If you have battery voltage on the purple wire to the pack, and the coil does not fire on this test, you have broken it down to the pack, or coil. To test the pack, but a #57, single element 12 volt bulb in series with the green wire from pack to coil, disconnect this wire from the coil, and short the bulb to ground. The bulb should glow when cranking the engine. A #57 bulb would be like a parking lamp from an early auto.

 

[RudyK]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

Shall try that tomorrow night! Hoping right now its not the pack; already had a price quote of over $400.00 for a new one. It appears that the pack has been replaced already but I did not know how to test it. You're a great help to me right now and I sure do appreciate your time and effort in responding to my dilemma!

 

[RudyK]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

Followed your instructions, could not get spark from points or coil. So therefore it would seem that the power pack is the problem.<br /><br />Thanx so much for all the instruction!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1969 Evinrude 55HP- Can't get spark-

Did you reconnect the points when you did the cranking test with the bulb. It's hard to remember all the points of that system with being right there.