Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

[heydanno]

I have a 1990 Evinrude 9.9 (E10RESC) that I'm having a no-start problem with.

I've only owned this motor for a short time. The previous owner did a poor wiring job of removing the tiller kill switch and just keeping the one mounted to the engine next to the rope pull. It was no longer grounding out the powerpack when pressed so I pulled it out to resplice. Right now I have no kill switch whatsoever and the amphenol connector coming from the wiring harness is hanging free. However, now I have no spark, whereas previously the engine ran relatively well (you just couldn't stop it with the inoperable kill switch). It seems to be too much of a coincidence for my power pack or something else to have suddenly died after pulling the kill switch but I have cleaned up terminals (grounds, coil wires, spark plug wires) to no avail. This engine has the UFI so I can't easily get at the powerpack.

I can say that I have about 250 ohms from the secondary coil terminal (spark plugs) to ground on both coils. And nearly zero ohms from the primary to ground. I think that's about right (although the primary seems a little too low, I have seen 0.2-1 ohm as the recommended resistance). Any suggestions? Am I missing something really obvious? Thanks.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

Go to the CDI website and look up your engine, use their troubleshooting guide to help you find your problem.

 

[heydanno]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

Thanks for the reply.

I was hoping for some suggestions before pulling the flywheel to start checking the modules hidden underneath, but I'll head that route and see what I can come up with. The CDI site has some good info.

Dan

 

[heydanno]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

I have a Clymer manual and have reviewed the CDI site so I have a testing plan in mind but am still waiting for the auto parts shop to get their loaner flywheel puller back in stock. I'm also sourcing a load adapter for testing the primary coil inputs.

In the meantime, I checked for spark again with a spark tester, with no spark present. However, I found that after a few pulls there was 200+ V on the kill switch. This slowly decayed to zero about 10-20 seconds after the last pull.

I know troubleshooting like this without going step by step is not the right way to go, but I'm wondering if anyone has any insight while I wait to do it the right way. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[boobie]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

Try an open air gap spark tester set at 7/16 ". If it jumps that gap your spark is okay. You can buy them at parts houses for around $8.00

 

[heydanno]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

Hey boobie

Thanks for the reply. I actually have been using a spark tester from an auto parts store. It won't jump even a 1/4" gap.

 

[AlTn]

Re: Troubleshooting 1990 9.9 no spark problem

as an information only concerning the ufi ignition..if it turns out you need to replace that module a trusted tech I know told me he always replaced the power coil as well, as in his experience, replacing just the module often lead to comebacks for power coils