1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

[Colwell87]

Hey Guys, I'm here because I need your help!

I recently bought a 1971 60hp Johnson outboard, model number 60esl71c.

The motor turns over fine, and seems to have great compression, but of course, no spark. At first I tried to find the kill switch wire to disconnect it, but there is no black and yellow wire anywhere on the control or the motor. So, I moved on and was messing with the ignition switch.

While messing with the ignition switch I noticed, while cranking the motor over there is no spark at all, when you stop cranking, you can here a 'pop'. I investigated and consistently after cranking and stopping, the coil will spark. So, I jumped the ignition with a screw driver and was able to get spark at the coil. I'm hoping this is a positive sign that the Power Pack/Amplifier is working. So, it would appear the ignition is faulty, but I tested it with a multimeter and it is doing what it should be, so maybe it is okay? Again, I can get spark to the motor if I jump the wire, but no spark when cranking the ignition.

I'm going out right now to just hot wire the spark and then touch the ignition and see if the will get the motor to fire, I'll let you guys now if that works.

Is there anything I should be looking into or testing? I really want to get this motor running, I went in on it 50-50 with a friend and we were both told it runs. I'm kind of disappointed it doesn't but my friend is already thinking we bought a clunker.

Any help is appreciated, thanks so much for your time!

- Colwell

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Follow directions of the CDI troubleshooting manual, and youll find your answer in no time! Just go to the section for your motor and follow the step by step directions for "no spark at all". ISSUU - CDI Electronics Troublbshooting Guide - 2012 by CDI Electronics

 

[gm280]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Not sure how your OB is wired up, but my '76 Johnson doesn't have any black or black/yellow wires on it anywhere. BUT, I do have a blue and a blue/white wires going to the ignition switch. And those two wires are there to short out the points when you turn the ignition key to the off position. That is the only time those two wires are shorted together. And they run to the engine to both point circuits. So maybe you should trace yours for such wires. I'm sure even if you have a power pack that there is some method to short out the spark system to ground in the off position somehow. But I am also sure you will get it running... :thumb:

 

[Colwell87]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Thanks for the link, I'll start working my way through that.

I wired everything to be hot, and then touched the ignition wire to the mess and the motor turns over, so no spark. Doesn't look like its the switch, but that when ever the motor it turning over, it wont spark..

Also, for the link. I'm not sure if I have a CD ignition or alternator driven ignition. I wouldn't think Alternator, because I don't think it has one..

 

[gm280]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Seems the '71 60HP Johnson engines were all built with a charging system and a power pack type ignition module as well. They made four models of that 60HP engine in '71. So look for how that power module is shut down to keep the engine from running in the key off position. It could be one wire grounded, or some other method to disable spark. Once you do find that method, I think you will get it running too...

 

[sutor623]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Well alternator, meaning fixed alternator, as in stator. Just make sure the #of cylinders and the hear and hp lines up on cdi guide and you'll be fine.

 

[Colwell87]

Re: 1971 Johnson 60hp with no spark...

Well alternator, meaning fixed alternator, as in stator. Just make sure the #of cylinders and the hear and hp lines up on cdi guide and you'll be fine.

Thanks for your help. I did step 5 in the manual and found that I'm getting about 8.8v from the purple wire while cranking. I know it says you need at least 9.5v, but would .7v really prevent it from firing or giving some kind of spark? It says there could be a problem in the harness, key switch, battery or starter. I'm using a car battery, which I was told would be enough to start it, just long a good idea to keep it running on them. Could the battery alone be the issue?