'71, 85 HP Johnson OB with ignition problems

[71SeaSwirl]

I have a '71 Johnson, 85 HP, model # 85ESL71A outboard. I put the boat away four years ago, draining the gas, removed the battery, etc. Well, I got it out to sell it and I can't get any spark to the plugs. It was running when I put it away. I found a red wire shorting out on the rectifier assembly on the back of the engine and fixed that. I pulled the flywheel and cleaned the points and reset them to .010 as required, but still no spark at the plugs.

I have ordered a service manual for that motor and it is on the way, but in the meantime I thought I would pick your brains on this problem. What should the voltages be on the terminal strip on the back of the engine. I suspect the ignition amplifier after reading your comments on this forum about similar engines, but found no comments on this exact one. I could use an engine wiring diagram.

Any help would be appreciated.

'71 Seaswirl

 

[Daviet]

Re: '71, 85 HP Johnson OB with ignition problems

Your best bet is to wait and use the manual to check out your engine. There are a lot of componets in your ign system, and should be checked in order, the manual will help with that. It will also have the wiring diagrams in it.