1986 225 Ignition problems.

[22ISLANDER]

I did some research here a while back on trying to get this engine up and running. The previous owner stated that the engine had a bad stator, so I bought another stator and installed, but no joy. Then I took the boat to a certified Evinrude shop to have them troubleshoot the ignition system. The shop stated that the stator output was perfect, and the timing plate was also fine, but they also told me that both powerpacks were bad. Since then, I replaced both powerpacks, and still have no spark. I even replaced the ignition switch with a new one, and still no spark. I cannot find the switch that shuts down one bank of cylinders when it comes to engaging forward and reverse ( I think it has been removed). The starter solenoid seems to have power in all the right places. The engine cranks at 500RPM according to the tach. The carbs are clean and flow properly. The VRO was bypassed by the previous owner, but I'm leaning towards re-hooking it up. 90psi across the board on all six cylinders

But still no joy.

I am missing something, and hope that the knowledge that flows from this forum will find me, funds are very tight, and right now I seem to have more tools than patience. I need to fix this myself, I'm a semi retired auto mechanic, and do not have a problem humbling myself asking for help.

In a nutshell, I'm STUMPED !

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Are you getting any spark? If none at all, The emergency kill switch could be closed, or the ignition switch may have a fault. Disconnect the black and yellow kill wires from the powerpacks and try it.

 

[22ISLANDER]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Thank you so much !!!

I have to head back to work now, but I will try it by 6pm tonight !!!

 

[22ISLANDER]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Just looking around the powerpacks for yellow and black wires. There is ONE black wire with a plug on each pack, and 2 yellow wires seem to be connected to a common block between the packs...are these the ones ?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Look for a single disconnect, probably a bullet connector, running off each powerpack. They are not connected to the terminal block. Look carefully, the kill wires should be black with yellow stripes.

BTW, If the motor starts you will have to choke it to stop it, so be prepared.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

If this dont fix it, remove All sparks plugs and test. If you have spark now replace starter as cranking rpm must be a minium of 600.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Cranking rpm must be at least 300 rpm in order for thhe stator to provide approximately 300 AC volts to the powerpack capacitor.... needed to energize the ignition system.

The shift cutout switch you mention would be on the engine shift linkage itself, just before the shift linkage arm goes thru the first retaining casting. If this switch was jammed, it would simply eliminate the ignition on the starboard bank, not all six cylinders.

You've already replaced the stator and both powerpacks so that pretty well eliminates problems in those areas UNLESS voltage is being applied to the black/yellow (kill circuit) wires that lead to the powerpack. To check for this problem......

Find the black/yellow wires that lead from the engine wiring harness to the powerpacks and disconnect them. The connector may be one yellow/black wire dividing into two as there are two poweracks. With a volt meter set to its lowest voltage reading, connect the RED lead to the engine harness black/yellow wire with the meter black lead to a powerhead ground. Now (engine not running), turn the key to the ON position. Any existing voltage shown on the meter indicates that either the ignition switch is flawed or a conductance type voltage bleed over is being transmitted to the black/yellow wire somewhere. Note that voltage to that black/yellow wire, even a milivolt, will destroy a powerpack within a very short time.

A quick check to eliminate a possible problem in the instrument wiring harness, ignition switch, gauges, etc, is to disconnect the large RED electrical plug at the engine. Remove all spark plugs. Rig a spark tester so that a gap oof 7/16" exists. Crank the engine by using a small jumper from the battery side of the starter solenoid to the small 3/8" nut terminal that engages the solenoid. If you now have spark, the problem is not with the engine but rather from some point in that RED plug forward.

Let us know what you find.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Great advice,m

you can also try removing the rectifier out of circuit to see if you get any spark. In rare occasions the rectifier has been known to prevent the electronics from working correctly.

the following link has some great info.

http://www.boatpartstore.com/tips.asp

 

[22ISLANDER]

Re: 1986 225 Ignition problems.

Sorry I have not got back to everybody who has helped me out here, but here is the latest.

I picked up an inline spark tested from Harbor freight yesterday and installed it on #1 plug and cranked the engine over by jumping the solenoid. All I got out of it was a very weak "light", barely perceptable. Then I placed the tester one-by-one on every plug, and the results were that there is spark, or power at every plug, but not much.

Next i took my multimeter and checked the resistance of every plug wire, on the 2000 OHM setting, every wire had resistance..lowest was 340, highest was 610.

The plug wires look like new !!!

I will be replacing them hopefully today, but I now ask if it is ok to use a solid copper core plug wire setup with this ignition, and if I do, will it interfere with static etc on my marine electronics ?

Thanks so much for all the advice and help, without all the responses, I would have been totally lost, and equally frustrated.