Ignition problem on 40HP

[dmwelch]

I haven't been able to get spark for my Johnson and I was trying today.

I have a 1968 RKL 30A and when I went to look up parts and was looking at a diagram it appears atleast on the diagram that I only have one coil

But this is my set up (see picture)

Is this correct? Or did I just misread the diagram that looked like it only had one coil?

Also I just got an original ignition switch with the two magneto pins, when the key is off is the switch connecting those two leads? and when in any position other then off are they not connected? Thanks just trying to understand this set up

Thanks

 

[racerone]

It MUST have 2 coils.!

 

[Chryslerman123]

It has two coils

 

[racerone]

Does the parts break down say 2 required?--------Old time stuff is wonderful.---That set up will allow the motor to run on one cylinder in case of a failure.------Will get you home at a slower speed.

 

[lindy46]

Also I just got an original ignition switch with the two magneto pins, when the key is off is the switch connecting those two leads? and when in any position other then off are they not connected? Thanks just trying to understand this set up

Thanks

Yes, that's correct.

 

[F_R]

Turning the key off shorts the two black wires together, which kills the spark and stops the engine.

Other than that, the motor has two entirely separate ignitions systems, isolated from each other.

 

[gm280]

I see two coils in the picture. They are different colors, meaning at least one was changed out at some time, but two are there. JMHO

 

[racerone]

I do not think there is any 1968 OMC motor that is running properly with original coils in it's magneto.----The original coils have all failed !!

 

[dmwelch]

I'll look up the process on testing the coils and look into getting some new ones if they failed.

 

[lindy46]

CLEAN the points! Use a point file or emery cloth to polish them shiny. Then run a business card soaked in acetone through them to clean off any residue. Set them to .020" when the rubbing block is at the high point on the cam. Then see if you have spark.

 

[racerone]

??---The coils in this motor have already been replaced.----As stated in the first series of posts on this wonderful motor,----Time to inspect / clean / gap the points and see if there is spark.

 

[jimmbo]

New points are always preferred to filing the points. The filed surfaces are not as smooth as new and that can lead to a larger gap than measured. If the points are set with a timing fixture and continuity tester, then the error is almost nonexistent

 

[oldboat1]

The secondary coil winding is the most likely to fail, and it can be easily tested without any disassembly. See this excellent discussion: http://www.penn.itgo.com/video-pages/coil-testing.html . If you get a reading as described in the video, you also know that you have continuity from the connector in the plug boot through the coil (plug wire connection in the boot or at the coil can be a problem that is overlooked when trying to resolve spark issues, along with a break in old wires).

If the above test shows the coils and connections to be good, I would be inclined to replace points and condensers and go from there.