200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

[tampaaquasport81]

i have a 91 200hp johnson, that had a total overhaul about 2 years ago before i bought it. i just replaced the cdi box and ignition coils spark plugs and wires, i am not getting any spark from cylinders 2 and 5...anybody got any ideas?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

check grounds, also swap the coils with one that is firing, see if the problem stays with the cylinder or coil.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

ya i sawpped the coils and coils seem to be ok, can a bad ground cause just 2 coils not to spark? thanks

 

[clanton]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

If no spark cold engine and hot engine the timer could be bad. You can check this system with a multimeter.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

ouch! pricey... what should i check with the voltmeter and what should the volts read? i appreciate your help guys,

 

[ezeke]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

Download the CDI Electronics Troubleshooting Guide: http://cdielectronics.com/

It is a large pdf file, but the basis of most on-line guides. It will load faster if you right click the "Troubleshooting Guide" entry and save the file to your computer's drive.

Follow the tests for your motor step-by-step for the best results. Be sure to check the flywheel triggering magnets.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

would you guys recommend going with a new cdi timer over an oem timer?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

How are you testing for spark? All spark plugs out with a fully charged battery?

If you pull plug wires on those running big bore loopers you can damage the powerpack.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

i disconnected the spark plug wires and use a screw driver next to the coils to see if there is spark,none of the spark plugs are live in the cylinder, and yes battery is fully charged,

 

[ezeke]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

On a CD ignition you want to check spark with all of the plugs removed. It gives the engine freedom to reach operating speed.

The better testers will show a spark at 3/8" to 7/16" under these
conditions.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

I agree with Ezeke, your method is not a reliable test. Get a proper adjustable tester and set the gap to 7/16 of an inch. You may have spark on 2 and 5, but it may be weak. Be sure the individual grounds for those two coils are polished, tight and clean.

The tester shown in his pic is ideal for those with a 4 or 6 cylinder, and well worth every penny.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

ok, im sure il need it again anyways, dumb but effective i had my buddy touch the coil to see if there was indeed no current and he didn't get shocked...
so is it a pretty safe assumption that i probably need a new timer? im gonna test the currents in the wires tomorrow

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

is there a place i can get instructions on proper installation of the timer base?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

Did you test the timer and have it fail? These ignition components are non refundable, and expensive, so I would be certain before throwing parts at it.

"dumb but effective i had my buddy touch the coil to see if there was indeed no current and he didn't get shocked..."

....reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer continually gets shocked trying to get that darn donut! Not my preferred method for troubleshooting ignition components, but to each his own, lol.

 

[clanton]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

Were replacement sparkplug wires automotive wire??? Should be wires with metal wire inside. Timer should be checked using OEM manual, CDI, who I think are great, does not alway have correct testing method for the V6 Quick Start timer. This timer has 12 triggers, 6 for starting, 6 for running, The timer starts the engine 6 degrees advance, then after operating temps are reached, timer shifts back 6 degrees.

While you have the flywheel off, check the magnets, may be loose, and upper main bearing housing bolts.

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

they are universal marine kit i purchased from napa auto parts, i don't know what i would have done without you guy!! you have given me loads of info. i really appreciate

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

i checked the wires from the timer base, the 1st harness had no volts and 2nd one had 18 volts on the wires. so i think i need a new timer base. is it worth paying the extra money to buy the cdi timer over oem?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

no. if you are going to work on it your self, buy the OEM Service Manual, before you blow a bunch of $$$$, or screw up your motor good!!! you did not answer the questions that were ask of you, thus you did not get agreement that the need a timer. throw enough parts at it, you will eventually get lucky.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

I would be surprised if any OEM part costs less than CDI.

What RPM were you turning when you got the vloltage reading? Did you have the Rectifier disconnected?

 

[tampaaquasport81]

Re: 200 johnson no spark on cylinders 2 & 5

ok, i need to order the manual, unless i can find oem troubleshooting on the net. not sure what the rpm's were prolly around 500-600 but not sure, and yes the regulator was still attached,