1981 35hp Johnson Seahorse

AlTn

Commander
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
2,813
Re: 1981 35hp Johnson Seahorse

k..logic..the power coil provides its voltage to the powerpack...the trigger < or sensor > provides its voltage to the powerpack..if either of these isn't functioning you'd have no spark at either cylinder..you have spark..neither of those < with the exception of a bare spot on a wire or an internal break within the wire > can provide voltage to the powerpack for only 1 cylinder. The powerpack acts as a storage/switching unit, receiving primary voltage from the power coil and the switching voltage from the trigger. The circuits within the powerpack if defective in some way are capable of providing voltage to only 1 coil and not the other. Swap the coils < not just the wires > does the spark follow the coil? If so, then just replace the coil that doesn't spark. If not, then the circuit through the pp for that coil's position is bad and the pp will need to be replaced.

As to odds of pp vs. ignition coil failure..I don't know. The odds of your problem being under the flywheel when you have spark to one plug are pretty small.

The correct route to go is using a mm with a dva adapter < or mm with dva capability > and follow the troubleshooting chart at cdielectronics.com/troubleshooting. I believe the first test is to make certain you have no voltage feeding back into the pp from the off or grounding switch as this can quickly kill your pp.
 

kf7strng

Cadet
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
24
Re: 1981 35hp Johnson Seahorse

Well heres where it gets interesting. I had forgotten about it because we dismissed it as lube from the armature, BUT... there was OIL on the armature plate UNDER the flywheel. I havent been able to test the electronics yet with a DVA MM (we have one), but from what I have found, a leaky upper crank seal doesnt tend to make your motor run very well (something to do with Vaccum for the reeds??). SO.. rather than wait yet ANOTHER week, I ordered one yesterday which should be here tomorrow. Even if it turns out is something else holding the motor back, it's never a bad idea to have a spare crank seal laying around!

One other thing I cant seem to see that I mentioned, is that I have a 10 1/2 x 11aluminum prop on the motor right now, which the OMC manual says is a size that can be used on the motor. I have a busy weekend ahead of me, so I'll get back to you all as soon as I can!
 

kf7strng

Cadet
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
24
Re: 1981 35hp Johnson Seahorse

Good News everyone! I replaced the charge coil and #2 ignition coil and everything works GREAT. I found out this morning that the #2 coil was the problem . how I missed it I dont know, but the resistance between the primary coil and secondary coil on #2 was 550 ohms! Compare this with the #1 OMC OEM coil which was 288, and the CDI replacement which read 288, and I knew I was on to something. I replaced the charge coil just because I had already purchased it.

The motor pushes the boat and two of us about 24-27 mph with a 10 1/2 x11 Aluminum, and pushes 4 of us at about 16-18 mph or so. (no GPS yet, no depth finder, no radio...yet.. getting that stuff soon now that I SHOULD be done sinking money into the motor for now.)

Thank you EVERYONE for your input!

-Andrew Jack
 
Top