1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

[Beek14]

As titled I have a 1985 4 hp Evinrude Yachtwin Model number J4BRHLCOB that I got in a trade recently, and it isn't giving me any spark. I popped the flywheel off to look for possibly broken coils or anything, but everything underneath seems to be in fair condition. I'm not super great with igntion components, but I've worked on them before. I'm not even getting a faint orange spark, just nothing. So this may be a broad question but where would you start? Coils, condensers....?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

Curious that it has no spark on either plug. Two independent systems. If one was sparking and the other not then swapping parts around would be a valid diagnostic procedure.

I think the first thing would be to examine them carefully to see if they have been wired wrongly or the points fitted incorrectly. Did you check that the points do open and close (and open to roughly the right gap) Just possible that someone has been messing about and done something stupid.

Check the continuity of the coils perhaps but you cannot detect shorted turns. Unlikely that both have gone if they look OK. Also seems unlikely that both condensers would fail.

 

[Beek14]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

HAHA.. well it was obvious that someone was messing with it because when I pulled the top recoil section off, the flywheel nut was backed off and had about an inch more to go to make it tight with the flywheel. I was kind of thinking what you're thinking.. it just doesn't make any sense. I guess I'll double check the wiring. The points open up and close, to the right distance. I'll double check everything though and see if I have missed something..

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

Hopefully it didn't damage the coils. Take a good look at the key way for damage. Hopefully you can tighten things up and all will be well. Rick.

 

[Beek14]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

I checked everything over, and I am still stumped. The key way is good by the way. The only one thing that I notice, is on the bottom of both coils, there seems to be a tiny spot with a rust color to it. I know it's a long shot, but could that be enough to make them both bad? A tiny spot of discoloration which could anything?

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

I've seen them so cracked up you would be amazed and they still worked so I doubt a little rust spot would indicate they're wrecked. In the top secret file at the top of this forum there is an article about changing coils. The alignment is really important so take a look at that. Make sure your plug wires are pushed into the coils on center. In fact I would suggest you cut a half inch off them and put them back on the coils so you know you have a good clean connection and see if that helps. Keep us informed. Rick.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

check yet again the wiring of the points. make sure the wire to the moving one is connected correctly and not shorting to ground.

checked the flywheel magnets?

 

[Beek14]

Re: 1985 4 hp Evinrude No SPARK

The flywheel magnets are good, and i did check the alignment of the coils, and tryed to bump them out as far as they go without the flywheel getting stuck from hitting it. I will try a few more things and repost.