Logo

No spark 1989 30hp Johnson

SVB

New member
Motor ran fine...starter stopped engaging...disconnected battery...replaced starter...solenoid was removed and reinstalled...apparently too close to block...battery connected...tried starting...starter gear engaged as designed...solenoid arced to block...disconnected battery and relocated solenoid further away from block...reconnected battery and starter worked fine but motor would not start. Connected spark tester and no spark to either cylinder. Have service manual and checked kill switch, neutral start switch, key switch and all checked out. Even removed black/yellow wire from UFI power pack and still no spark. So my question is can I check the power pack, charge coil, and stator from the terminal block - tried to post photo of block but was not successful. I am trying to trouble shoot without removing the flywheel. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
 
Have since removed flywheel to evaluate difficulty in replacing power pack- easy except for routing wires. I measured 0.55 V from power pack to coil input leads of both coils while cranking the engine - is this reading out of spec? Would this reading indicate a bad power pack? There is no voltage output from the coils (used spark tester and meter) after reconnecting leads from power pack to coils. Thanks
 
So the solenoid shorted to ground? Since then no spark? You sound like you should be able to diagnose this yourself. You can find diagnostic procedures at CDI Electronics with the free on line manual. Would be nice to have a multi meter with DVA capability, but not a necessity. You may find the stator or pack got spiked, depending on what exactly shorted. It was a sad mistake and may cost you a couple hundred more bucks. There is a small in line fuse, did you check that......its in a black pregnant looking coupling.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the feedback. I traced the problem to the power pack which I replaced and the motor runs. Water flow became intermittent and motor became hot (with lower unit submerged in a tank). The impeller has less than 10 hours and motor peed well last month so I moved on to inspect the thermostat. Long story short...several of the bolts heads were disfigured by a previous owner and the ones that were not sheared when I attempted to remove them - corrosion had gotten the best of the motor. So the ‘89 Johnson has reached its end of life. RIP. If I purchase another OMC motor, I will check in but I will not buy another one without a thorough review of it. Luckily, I have less than $800 in the motor...including my repairs. I am now considering a more recent 4-stroke instead of most of the aged 2-strokes. Have a great day...
 
Okay, thanks. Might come down to Charleston this summer. My wife loves it there, we lived in My. Pleasant for 6 months while working on some naval vessels stored on the Cooper R.
Is that 30 a salt runner? Must be, eh?
 
Last edited:
Back
Top