1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

[Royale With Cheese]

I launched my boat this morning and it fired up and ran normally.
I tied it up to the dock, left it idling and went to park the truck as I have done many times.
When I returned to the boat the engine was off. I attempted to start it, but it would just turn over and over.
I checked to see if I had sufficient pressure in the fuel line and I did. No obstructions in it and I tested it and it is pumping gas.
I then turned my attention to the spark plugs, I pulled a plug and it looked good, I then had a friend help me turn the motor over but there is no spark jumping across the electrode. I looked at all my connections and everything looks good. This is the case for all the spark plugs. I checked my kill switch and it is fine, I even went as far as bypassing it to make sure that wasn't the problem.
I dont know where to begin diagnosing why I am no longer getting spark.
Please help!
Thanks,

 

[mekkamaz]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Disconnect kill wire at the power pack in order to troubleshoot wiring issues at the wiring connector plug at the engine.
http://www.cdielectronics.com/ here you will find troubleshooting information for your engine.
Post model and serial in order to be more specific.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

mekkamaz,
I looked all over the motor and I cannot find the serial.
Any suggestions on where to look?

 

[boobie]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Find the black/yellow wire on the pack and disconnect it. If you have spark, boat wiring probs. No spark, mtr probs.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

boobie,
You talking about the wire on the bottom left?
View attachment 123054
And by disconnect do you mean cut?
How do i disconnect it?
Thanks

 

[tjizzle]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

had same prob with 77 70 hp evinrude yes bottom left wire just undo screw holding it in if same as mine

 

[mekkamaz]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Look in the transom bracket should be a plate with the info. The kill wire is the same boobie is talking about..

 

[boobie]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Royale,there should be a cover on the back of the power pack. Take that off and you'll see wires attached to the pack Take the screw out that holds the black/yellow wire and remove the wire. No cutting necessary. Don't drop the screw as it's made out of brass if orginial.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

OK, thanks guys.
I will try that first thing tomorrow morning.
Unhook the black/yellow and then test for spark.

Next questions:
If I do get spark.
If I do not get spark.
What do I do then?

Boobie, earlier you said, if I do have spark then I have wiring problems. Do I look at the wiring in the controls? Where do I look first?
If I do not have spark then motor problems. Where do I need start looking next?

Thanks,
Royale With Cheese

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

You can also test to insure that the control box key switch and wiring is not part of the problem. Disconnect the main wire harness at the red plug inside the cowling. Jump start the starter with jumper cables. If you have spark you know the problem is somewhere in the control box/harness. If you still have no spark, you know the problem is in the main ignition system. Keep in mind that if the engine starts while doing this test, you have no way to turn it off.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

OK, I disconnected the #1 black/yellow wire, checked for spark on a couple of different plugs
while engine was being turned over and no spark on either plug.

What do I need to look at next?
Thanks!

 

[mekkamaz]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Check the link I?ve sent upstairs from cdi...there?s all you need to troubleshoot....

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 85HP no spark

Thanks for everyone's help!
I didn't want to let this thread go unanswered in the event someone ran into it.

I tried the troubleshooting steps that mekkamaz had directed me to from CDI, but I still wasn't able to determine what was wrong.
I took it to a mechanic and it turned out being the Power Pack.
$200 later I am back on the water.
Thanks again,
Royale With Cheese