1974 85hp Johnson ignition problem

[mvabate]

In need of some help. After some reading I'm doing some trouble shooting on my kill wire blk/ylw. I had 2volts with key on and wire disconnected at pwr pack. I disconnected the blk/ylw from switch and I still get voltage .8VDC. I disconnected the large red plug near engine and with the key on I get no voltage. Does anyone know a good place to start? Thanks for any help

 

[Bosunsmate]

Key switch sometimes has shorts

 

[gm280]

I'd start with a factory schematic diagram of your engine and check out the key switch first. If it is bad, buy a new one and install. Not a hard things to do, and they really aren't expensive at all... JMHO!

 

[racerone]

There should be no voltage on the black / yellow wires when you turn the key to " on "-------Check this out carefully or it may cost you some serious $$$$

 

[mvabate]

Thanks for the help. I found a rectifier that I replaced previously had resistance through the Ac Side, so I replaced that. That in turn dropped my voltage down t o .08 volts. I disconnected the red plug and started the checking resistance on the motor side. Somehow I shorted something out( got sparks across 2 pins) My question is this, now my reading with the red plug connected at the kill wire is .005 Volts. Is it possible I discharged a capacitor. Need more time to solve, but thought I'd ask. Thanks

 

[mvabate]

I decided to ring out the kill wire circuit and then check continuity on the motor side then on the control side. Motor side is good, control side has high resistance to ground while kill wire is disconnected from switch. So I think I'm going run a new wire from switch to power pack. 14GA THWN is what I'm going to try to use. Is this wire suitable for marine use. This is my 1st boat, and not to sure what's recommended. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[mvabate]

So I ran a new kill wire from switch to power pack, and now I get spark on only one cylinder. I previously checked resistance on stator and timer base and all checked good, except I had 8ohms instead of 10. Don't think that's a big deal, maybe I'll do it again. After that I believe all that's left is my power pack. Any thoughts from the pros?