Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

[Fireson]

Hey guys. I have some problems and i believe they involve my coil pack but i am not sure. My engine runs fine out of the water but then when i get it in the water, it only runs about half speed. I fixed a fuel leak around my primer and i thought that would cure my problems but it did not. My motor will start and run when the bottom spark plug wire is off. It will not run when the top spark plug wire is off. I switched sparks plugs and the same thing happened. I guess my question is can the coil go bad on just one spark plug or do i have more problems then i think i do? Thanks for your time and advice.

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

By the way, I checked for fire coming from both of the wires from the power pack and both had spark but the top one seemed more powerful. I am going the check the compression of the cylinders here in a bit so i will let you guys know what i find. Until then, any advice? Thanks!

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Ok just checked the compression and both cylinders are at 120-125. So thats not the problem. Must be the power pack. Right?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

First try swapping the ignition coil. If the problem follows the coil replace it. If not, we will need to troubleshoot further. May also want to try filing down and cleaning up the ground for the bottom cylinders coil.

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Thank you for your reply. If it is not too much trouble, could you explain to me how i would go about doing the things you suggested. Thanks!

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

any other advice?

 

[ShellBack101]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

I believe that motor has the single coil on the starboard side of the motor. Also make sure that your motor is not in S.L.O.W. Start by looking at your temperature sending unit, if looking at the motor from standing behind the boat it will be at about 11:00 with a Tan wire coming out of it, make sure that the wire / connection is in good shape, if that is disconnected, broken etc, it will cause a SLOW condition. (SLOW cuts out spark to your bottom plug).

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Thank you ShellBack. Yes the motor just has one coil. Since that coil goes to both plugs, does that mean that we can rule the coil out or could the coil cause one plug to not spark as strongly as the other? I will check the temp sending unit. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[kjdunne]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

SLOW is activated when the tan wire becomes grounded to the engine, as when the temp switch closes when hot. You should also get a steady warning horn.

Does your coil have two smaller wires coming from the power pack? Switch the position of those, and the plug wires. If the no spark changes cylinders, it is probably the coil, (actually two coils in one package). If not, check the wiring between the coil and power pack, then have the power pack tested. Don't forget to switch the coil wires back.

 

[kjdunne]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Something I didn't suggest is probably the simplest, which is why I overlooked it. Are your spark plug wires OK? Swap the two and see if the problem changes cylinders.

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

ok...i switched the two wires going to the coil from the power pack and i switched the plug wires and still the bottom plug is not getting sufficent fire. Seems like maybe the bottom one is grouding out somewhere. I dont know. I swapped the spark plug wires as well (after switching the coil wires back) and still the same thing so its not the plug wires. What i dont get is it starts up and idles fine and seems to run good but when i get it in water, only runs about half power at WOT and it dies in reverse sometimes. Confusing the heck out of me. Thanks ahead of time for your advice. Also this has happened every time i have taken it out since winter. Ran very good last year. I didnt winterize it like i should have. Could this be causing some of my problems? Thanks

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Also could my loss of power be caused by gummed up carbs even though it idles fine? I didnt treat the gas before winter like i should have.

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

how would i go about testing the power pack because that is what i am leaning towards. thanks.

 

[Fireson]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Well i have tried everything. I still believe it is the power pack so i guess i will try and get another one of those. I dont think it is a fuel restiction issue becuase the motor idles fine. Also many poeple have told me that unplugging one spark plug should cause a drop in RPM's and when i unplug the bottom plug, it does not even phase the motor. Could the power pack really be causing one plug to not fire or fire weak and still keep the other plug strong? Just another thing to throw at ya, the tan wire coming from the temp sending unit seems to be in good shape, I dont think that would be the problem anyway considering the motor ran great last summer and now this summer i am having problems.

 

[ShellBack101]

Re: Got some spark problems on a 96 evinrude 48

Definitley sounds like your motor is in SLOW, you may not always get an alarm. I would start by looking at your key switch, make sure that your lanyard clip is on properly and that nothing is shorted, move to your VRO system make sure that your oil alarms are all working, test your temp sending unit with an DMM* and connections for continuity, maybe check your thermostat. Defintiely sounds like an electrical issue that is triggering the SLOW feature of the motor. I had a similar issue with a 96 50hp and it wound up being the Temp sending unit wire that was broken inside the rubber barrel connector. Let us know how you make out

*digital multi meter