1976 seahorse 25 hp

[welder]

I have a 76 Johnson Seahorse 25 hp outboard Model # 25RL76E, serial # E4446271. I have only had this motor for 3 months, but it has ran really good..until yesterday. Headed out to fish running about 3/4 throttle, motor died. No spark, no run. Made it back home. This morning motor started, ran 10 minutes died, no spark, no fire. Also starter turns over, have checked connections, wires, fuel and I have tested solenoid per instructions from manual. Tested neutral switch for continuity. I do not have a manual , went to the library to find what I could.<br />Thanks for any info, I've read through what was posted and I'm still searching

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1976 seahorse 25 hp

Welder.... If that rig has an ignition switch, remove one of the Black wires from one of the "M" terminals on back of the switch when you lose the ignition/spark.<br /><br />If removing that wire cures the problem, replace the ignition switch.<br /><br />If the electric starter cranks the engine, the starter, solenoid, and neutral safety switch are okay. That's just the starter circuit and has nothing to do with the ignition circuit.

 

[welder]

Re: 1976 seahorse 25 hp

joe, thanks alot for the info. I'll be up at first light, to see if it works. Let you know from there.

 

[welder]

Re: 1976 seahorse 25 hp

Well I tried taking the black wire off the ignition switch nothing changed. I tried one at a time, both at once. Still isn't getting spark to plugs. I have key start or manual. If I disconnect cable and pull start it, should I be getting spark? I tested the kill switch on the motor, took it apart to make sure it wasn't stuck together, I also checked continuity at the plug on the motor itself and it was good, but from there to the coil I seem to have a break in the cycle? I have a ohm meter, just not anything to really go by except for continuity and I doubt that will tell me whats's wrong. I have great compression on both cylinders and all conections look really good. Thanks again for any advice

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1976 seahorse 25 hp

Welder.... That engine doesn't have a powerpack (solid state ignition) but rather has a straight magneto ignition setup. It would be very unusual for a magneto setup to lose spark on both cylinders at the same time unless the kill circuit was engaged somehow.<br /><br />Unlikely that both coils, both points, both condensers, etc would fail at the same time unless the flywheel grabbed the timer base and ripped it up.... something I'm sure you would notice.<br /><br />The kill circuit is as follows:<br /><br />Black wire connected to one set of points, leads to one of the "M" terminals on the ignition switch.<br /><br />Black wire connected to the other set of points connects to the other "M" terminal on the ignition switch.<br /><br />When switch is ON, there is NO connection between the "M" terminals and the ignition is able to function.<br /><br />When the switch is OFF, there is a connection between the "M" terminals, creating a connection (short) between the two point sets which efectively kills the ignition.<br /><br />The above explanation also pertains to a push button kill circuit or a safety kill switch.