is it hopeless?

Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Boat was fine last year. This year, engine has no spark from plugs or coil. 125 Johnson outboard. I have no clue what year it is. Is older model. I know nothing about boat motors. Could someone give me a suggestion about my problem as well as an idea on how to find out the year of motor so I can find a manual on it.<br />Thanks so much,<br />Mary
 

ledgefinder

Ensign
Joined
May 2, 2002
Messages
916
Re: is it hopeless?

Based on the "125 hp", it's likely a 1971/72. Please post back with the model number so we can be sure what we're telling you. This will be on a tag on the transom clamp (where the motor clamps to the boat) on the left side.<br /><br />Could be a blown powerpack, but might be much simpler (& less expensive). Anything happen between last year, and now? Did it simply not start when you tried to fire it up this year? Did anyone disconnect/connect the battery? <br /><br />Basically, the powerpack (Johnson calls it the "pulsepack") needs a few things to work. <br /><br />It needs 12V from the battery. If the remote control box is messed up, the 12V might not be getting to the pulsepack. <br /><br />It also needs a small electical signal from a "sensor" coil that's on the timer base under the flywheel. This signal tells the pulsepack when to send a fat electical charge (150V) to the big coil that you can see on the upper left of the back of the motor. When the big coil gets this charge, it generates a spark for the plugs. From what you're telling us, there is no spark being generated by the coil.<br /><br />Connecting the battery backwards can fry the pulsepack nearly immediately on those motors. If you suspect this, you can check the fuse (near the coil), and the rectifier - these are usually fried by the same event. <br /><br />If this is making some sense, post back & we can tell you how to test the pulsepack.<br /><br />Have fun!
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

not sure what/where the lanyard is located. Model number is 125ESL72R. The only thing that happened between last year and this year was is was not started. Last day out last year went fine. no the battery has not been disconnected. no, there is no spark being generated from the coil.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

Originally posted by ledgefinder:<br /> Based on the "125 hp", it's likely a 1971/72. Please post back with the model number so we can be sure what we're telling you. This will be on a tag on the transom clamp (where the motor clamps to the boat) on the left side.<br /><br />Could be a blown powerpack, but might be much simpler (& less expensive). Anything happen between last year, and now? Did it simply not start when you tried to fire it up this year? Did anyone disconnect/connect the battery? <br /><br />Basically, the powerpack (Johnson calls it the "pulsepack") needs a few things to work. <br /><br />It needs 12V from the battery. If the remote control box is messed up, the 12V might not be getting to the pulsepack. <br /><br />It also needs a small electical signal from a "sensor" coil that's on the timer base under the flywheel. This signal tells the pulsepack when to send a fat electical charge (150V) to the big coil that you can see on the upper left of the back of the motor. When the big coil gets this charge, it generates a spark for the plugs. From what you're telling us, there is no spark being generated by the coil.<br /><br />Connecting the battery backwards can fry the pulsepack nearly immediately on those motors. If you suspect this, you can check the fuse (near the coil), and the rectifier - these are usually fried by the same event. <br /><br />If this is making some sense, post back & we can tell you how to test the pulsepack.<br /><br />Have fun!
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

New question...this may sound silly but does the motor need to be in water to start? I dont know if there is a sensor or something that requires this.<br />Thanks, <br />Mary
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

hubby just told me that he added a bottle of dry gas then saw that it was not recommended for boat motors. said he drained it completely before he tried to start it with new fuel in it.
 

russeller

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2004
Messages
218
Re: is it hopeless?

you should never try to start it out of the water did you have muffs hooked up to it?
 

Brew2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
427
Re: is it hopeless?

Hi!<br /><br />Like russeller said, NEVER start an outboard out of the water. You can do it on land with a garden hose hooked up to the motor via the "muffs" russeller referred to. Probably a good thing the motor didn't start otherwise you'd be looking at getting a new water pump.<br /><br />The lanyard referred to earlier acts like a kill switch. One end of the lanyard should connect to the driver, the other to the control box. Typically the end that attaches to the control box pushes in a small button allowing the motor to run. Without the button pushed in by the lanyard, you will have no spark.<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />Keep us posted.<br /><br />Cheers.
 

Brew2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
427
Re: is it hopeless?

Sorry....you answered the muff question before I could finish typing.<br /> :)
 

Brew2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
427
Re: is it hopeless?

Can't say I'm an expert on lanyards...but every motor I've used has had one.<br /><br />Check the control box and see if you can see some place that looks logical for the lanyard to clip on. If so, maybe you can push in the button with your finger just to see if the motor fires up. If so, just go see an Evinrude dealer for the appropriate lanyard. I would think they would only cost a couple bucks.<br /><br />Cheers.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: is it hopeless?

The battery CD motors like yours did not have a lanyard or a "kill" switch.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

checked control box in boat no place for a lanyard....could this be located somewhere on motor instead of in boat? I think the year is 1972......125hp johnson
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: is it hopeless?

These motors also have whats called an "anti reverse spring" inside the distributor cap. If that gets worn to the point a piece breaks off it could be grounding out your ignition. <br /><br />An OE manual is a must for this project. Have your local Evin/John dealer order one for you. Those components are expensive and its easy to harm them or replace them unnecessairly.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: is it hopeless?

is there a way to check the coil? Is the distributator by chance located under the flywheel? Am checking into a manual as we speek.<br />Thanks so much,<br />Mary
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: is it hopeless?

Mary - Getting the manual is the place to start. Follow that with troubleshooting to determine what the problem is. Many who post her throw parts and $ (and time)at a motor needlessly.
 

ledgefinder

Ensign
Joined
May 2, 2002
Messages
916
Re: is it hopeless?

OK, it's a 1972 125hp. We can mess with it a bit before the manual arrives/is borrowed. <br /><br />If you have/can borrow a voltmeter, let's see if the pulsepack is getting 12V when the key is on. Look at the back of the motor. The black box on the back (with a three-level top) is the pulsepack. Above the pulsepack is a long terminal strip with a lot of wires connected to it. The ninth terminal over from the left should have a purple wire going from it, to the pulsepack (and one or two other wires). Turn the key to 'ON' - not to "START", just to "ON". Now see if you've got 12V at that ninth terminal (that is, between the terminal and ground). If not, that's you're problem right there. If you do have 12V, post back and we'll work from there.
 
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