New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

snacktime

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Mar 10, 2011
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5
1978 70HP Johnson 3 cyl. - Engine was lacking power and checked spark. Bottom(3) cyl. had no spark and replaced coil thinking that would be it- new coil and still no spark. Has rust free ground. Checked for frayed/loose/melted wires and everything looked OK.
Other 2 cyl. have spark after new coil replacing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 

SparkieBoat

Captain
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Aug 17, 2009
Messages
3,643
Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

you need to get a DVA adapter and a multi meter so you can test your stator/power pack/rectifier/regulator. you can go to CDI electronics site for troubleshooting guide in the support section. it will tell you exactly what to test and how. report back if you have any questions. USA tools has a DVA adapter for $25..google it.
 

jonesg

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Feb 22, 2008
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7,198
Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

1978 70HP Johnson 3 cyl. - Engine was lacking power and checked spark. Bottom(3) cyl. had no spark and replaced coil thinking that would be it- new coil and still no spark. Has rust free ground. Checked for frayed/loose/melted wires and everything looked OK.
Other 2 cyl. have spark after new coil replacing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Did you try swapping spark plug wires.?
 

boobie

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

Sounds like you have a bad pack or timer base.
 

snacktime

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

did some tests- looks like power pack is bad- we have spark coming from timer base from all three wires. do power packs die often?
 

Silvertip

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

Power packs are electrical devices and just like anything else they can last forever, five minutes, or anything in between.
 

SparkieBoat

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

without a DVA adapter, you are just guessing. might be right..might not.
 

boobie

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

What do you mean "sparks coming from the timer base" ??
 

snacktime

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

on the Pack, Positions 3 and 10(i think) are for sensor3 wire and coil # 3. By process of elimination and testing, realized that position 3 and 10 are not connected up anymore inside the pack. Hooked sensor3 wire to position 9 and coil 2 and we got spark at the plug- through this we are assuming that all three sensor wires produce a spark to spark plug. thus the power pack is faulty? sound right?
 

SparkieBoat

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

I have no idea what you are talking about...I have provided you with a web site that offers a free troubleshooting guide and told you what tools you need to test your motor with...not much else I can tell you until you do these things. I mean $25 just aint going to break the bank.
 

boobie

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

Sounds like you did some good old basic trouble shooting and from that it sounds like your pack is bad. On that mtr if you have no spark on one cyl it's either the coil, pack or timer base. Good job.
 

SparkieBoat

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

I am just saying that there is a easy and cheap way to accurately test your motor...the only way I know to troubleshoot your electronics is what i have outlined..there may be some alternate ways to get it done but I am not aware of them. from your first post we knew that you had no spark on one cylinder..as boobie said that indicates 3 possible things..the coil was eliminated, as you said you had already replaced it..you could have easily tested your coil by moving it to a different cylinder and testing it. so that leaves Power pack or timer base, you also should test your stator and rectifier/regulator. it probably is your power pack, but unless you do the test outlined I cannot tell you which one it is or if you have other electronic components failing or about to fail. And I really have no idea what sensors you are testing..but I only know what I know. not meaning to sound harsh, I just try to get to the point, I hope that I could be of help, that's why I am here, I received help and just trying to give back some.
 

jonesg

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Feb 22, 2008
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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

did some tests- looks like power pack is bad- we have spark coming from timer base from all three wires. do power packs die often?

Yes, more often than other components.
 

Tim Frank

Vice Admiral
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Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,346
Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

whoa lieutenant sparkie- doing what I can here.

Sparkie was just explaining how to to a proper sequential troubleshooting procedure....that will avoid the trial and error of just replacing all of the three possible components that might be faulty.
You are already heading down that path. :eek:

I'll bet that coil cost more than the DVA meter. ;)

If you don't do the tests you won't know the status of your timer base...and yes Virginia, it is possible for a brand new power pack to be taken out by a secondary problem that was undiagnosed and unrepaired...:facepalm:
 

boobie

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

Snacktime, let us know the outcome.
 

SparkieBoat

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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

could I be arrested for impersonating an officer???
 

Daltonxj

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 25, 2010
Messages
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Re: New Coil Installed- Still No Spark

In the long run it is better to spend the $25 dollars on the tool then to be out in the water just floating.............................. yhou may need it sometime in the near future when the new part goes out that you just replace because some old part didn't get changed when you had the cahnce......... damn it's hot out on this water............ sure wish i would've bought that tool......


no pun intended
 
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