Hey guys! Make sure to check the links in the description for NEW POWER PACKS. I have all the info on how to find out exactly what part number you need there! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Great video, I will add for anyone watching in the future, make sure you understand how to use dielectric grease as it's not a conductor and not to applied to the conductive metal - "Dielectric Grease - The PROPER way to apply it." Look that video up for proper uses.
Abe Maysonet thanks! Yea, I don't know that anyone actually tests them with a multimeter or somthing like that. There's no point really. It's best to switch the powerpack with the one on the other side to see if the problem switches sides too. Then you know it's bad.
Hi Matt, Great vid, subbed and liked. I have a 2005 Johnson j90plsoa Saltwater Edition that goes into slow mode saying it is overheating. This has been going on for 2 years and has been to three different shops. The motor will go into slow mode showing that it is overheating only when running around 1500 to 2000 RPMS. Only happens one time each time you take it out usually as you are leaving the no wake zone, or after leaving the first location you were stopped at. If you turn off the motor and wait 20 to 30 minutes it will clear and run fine the rest of the day. If you just turn it off and turn it right back on it will continue. You cannot reproduce this in a tank or with muffs. All three shops have tried. You cannot reproduce it on the trailer backed down the boat ramp, but still on the trailer. One of the shops tried this. The last shop, I told them take it to the lake and it will reproduce, and they did, and were able to reproduce within about 10 minutes running between 1500 and 2000 RPMS. When they reproduced it they put a heat gun on the heads and one read 122 degrees Fahrenheit and the other read 150 Fahrenheit. which is within normal operating temperature they say. They disconnected the sensors and the engine stayed in the slow mode. Compression is good on both sides. The Entire water pump and impeller have been replaced twice for this and both thermostats have been replaced twice for this. The shop is saying they want to replace the thermostats again. They think the thermostats may not be opening properly. I feel like that is not going to solve the issue since they have been replaced TWICE already. Could this be the power pack? If not do you have any other suggestions.
I took my Johnson 90 VRO for a ride last night . I drove about a mile and it sputtered. I took the cowl off ( night time) and one of the power packs was sparking like 4th of July inside the phenolic . It was misfiring to the exact beat of the sparks ...I definitely need 1 power pack
Im replacing my coil packs on my 1987 Evinrude 70 hp elcur. They were bad. Hoping it is all that is wrong before I try to start it. My question to you is if my coil packs are bad , does it mean my power pack is bad too usually? I'm not sure how many power packs this motor has, but it only had 3 coils. Ive never worked on this engine before but the coil packs were very easy to deal with. Bought the boat for 1000 dollars with the motor that didnt run. Guy swore it was electrical stuff. So far he is right. Thank you for any advice given for help with my no start condition.
No, if the coil packs are bad it doesn't mean that the power packs are bad too. The stator is the #1 electrical component that goes bad on old outboards in my experience. I would start by testing the stator and then move my way down until I got to the coil packs. Stator> trigger/timing>base>powerpacks>coil packs. Whatever you do, don't just replace parts unless you verify they don't work. Just a thought, but what about your kill switch? I know it sounds stupid, but use a multimeter and verify that your motor kill switch is working right. If it is damaged in some way it will kill ALL of your spark at the power packs!
"HOW TO DIAGNOSE"???? I guess I missed that part of the video? Hell I can figure out how to bolt the thing in there. Why does this video have high ratings?
This video has high ratings because it helps people. The quick and dirty way to diagnose these things is exactly what I showed in the video. The "real" way to diagnose a bad power pack involves specialized equipment and dealing with high voltages. No one has that stuff so very few people care about diagnosing their outboards that way.
Matt's Shop - I just thought of his voice when I heard yours lol. No offense, I mean if you added the growl and slowed your speech you'd sound just like him. Just ignore me, it was a long week for me lmao.
I have 1978 evinrude 55 55875s replaced every electronic component starts and runs good so good that it won't die kill switch test fine ignition test fine power pack is brand new and testing bad accordion to cdi trouble shooting manual you can jump black yellow and wont kill it
Could you give me some info on a 1977 evinrude 70 hp. It has no power under load runs fine till about half throttle then falls on its face. Just had the carbs redone and new plugs and fuel pump. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you very much I have a 79 evinrude 115 that will run poorly most of the time then will kick on and run great then back to poorly like a light switch I have changed plugs and coils new plug wires new fuel going to try this next any other advise would be great thank you
@@MattsShop yes when i start it she will cough once in a while and I have to let it warm up a while before I even go into gear and most the time it will die and when I do get it in gear she is sluggish and won’t clean out.....at full throttle I’m down 10mph from when it decides to run good
@@MattsShop it goes into gear smoothly it’s just not running right when it does right right I can idle down starts fine goes right up on plane then just bog down when it wants to then run good when it wants too
Hey so I worked on my boats body for 2 months paint etc now when I went to crank it it cranks but no apark could it be this pack or the stator? The bOat was running perfect 2 months ago
I've got a 1996 Johnson 150.. starts up great when cold.. after running for 30 mins or longer and stopping to fish or swim it wont crank back up til hours later. Do you think the power pack is my problem?
Yes. The engine just spins. I'm using champions and have them gapped to the specs according to the manual. I almost feel like its flooding itself out like it's getting to much fuel.
Was wondering if you could give me an opinion. 1994 Evinrude 40hp the motor starts right up and idles well. When giving throttle it won’t get over a very slow speed. Sometimes it will rev up a little more and then come back down. Then one day it just started running at full speed. Wake up the next morning and it’s running 1/4 of what it should at full throttle again. Does this sound electrical? Compression 120 on both cylinders and new spark plugs. I just picked up a spark tester from harbor freight and installed it and the motor wouldn’t start with it on. The manual for the spark tester said if the motor doesn’t start it is ignition related and not fuel. Where should I begin? Plug wires? Thank you
I'm having the exact same problem with my 25hp johnson 2 cylinder I have replaced coils plugs and plug wires I just ordered a cdi box it should be in a few days
I have a 1983 Johnson outboard 50 hp. When I test for spark I only get spark at the top coil. I put in two new coils on it but I still only get spark on the top coil. When start the motor does only the top coil fire or should I see spark in both plugs at the same time? Could this be a stator issue or power pack problem? Or is it possible that has a bad power pack I just don't want to replace it if I don't have to. Great video look forward to a reply. Bart the old boat guy🚤
I like to start at the stator and then test everything down from that. So stator>trigger/timer base>power pack>coils. It sounds like a power pack to me. How many power packs do you have? Have you tried swapping the coils on the motor/powerpack and seeing if the no spark follows? You should see spark at each coil when starting otherwise it would only be running on one cylinder. Haha Bart The Old Boat Guy
Where can I find the wires going to the coils mine are bad ..... I have a ? If I have a real bad wires going to the coil Will is slow my boat down and will it makes it hard to start my boat after is is hot ??
I got a 1990 OMC sea drive v4 .. this boat worked great until tis year. Turns over but wont start, changed power pack,, still not starting any suggest would be appreciated
Thanks for video but is there anyways that we can check the power pack with multimeter? Or any idea ? My lower spark wont work only the top one work. I check ignition coil it look ok. You think it will be power pack?
You can look up other videos and guides online for directly testing these thing. However, it involves high voltages and can shock you pretty bad if you mess up. That's why the recommendation is usually to swap them around and use a timing light to see if the problem follows your suspected bad power pack.
I have a 1997 Johnson Ocean Runner V4 115. It starts up fine and idols ok but it's been running worse and worse over the past 3 or 4 months. Last week when I took it out it wouldn't rap out in gear, like it has a bad misfiring issue. After running on the water for 5-10 minutes (running like crap), when I throttle down it dies out and wouldn't start back up. I let it sit for a hour or two then it cranked right up. When it's in neutral it revs up to 4000-5000 rpms just fine, it just runs like crap when it has a bind on the motor. I think it was doing the same thing about 6-8 years ago, I replaced the power pack and that was the problem. Any help would be much appreciated.
I’ve got a Johnson 150 hp 86 and only get spark on 2 cylinders, I’ve change the plugs wires coils and flywheel magnets. Wondering if it’s this or the stator.
The stator usually go first on most outboards. I have a video on how to test an outboard stator here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SwYHj0xKh90.html
So there are 2 power packs? I have a 90hp 2 stroke mercury outboard (mid 1990's) with 3 cylinders and am trying to determine why my motor at full throttle is now running less then 1/2 speed. All 3 spark plugs replaced and spark verified, compression is good. Looking for switch box location and came across your video. Thanks
+Drum Sync yea, there are two powerpacks on this motor. There's not always 2 power packs, it just depends on the motor/design. Do you have a fuel issue?
Hi. No I believe my issue is ignition related. I get 11mph at full throttle when I should be getting 32mph. I changed the plugs, spark plug tester shows spark coming out of each coli. The compression looks good. I may have coil, switch box/power pack issue, trigger or stator issue. Not sure at this point
Matt, I wish I knew enough to even answer your question, but I am unsure. I do not have a timing light. I am also not sure where the switch box/power pack is to check voltages. I do have pics I can send of the motor. Sorry I don't have much experience with motors. Aside from changing the gas filter, then looking at the ignition and changing the 3 plugs and checking compression and ohms across the coils, I am stuck.
Timing lights can help a lot when it comes to diagnosing outboard ignition problems. Make sure to check your timer base to make sure that it is not sticking though. I have a video on that too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AxenGP-1C78.html
hi there just subscribed. I was brought here cause someone in another video commented that I may be having power pack issues. I have a 90hp Yamaha 2 stroke. all ignition coils and spark plugs are working but the top cylinder is weaker than the middle and bottom one (I can run the engine with the middle and bottom cylinder alone but the top one stalls and shuts off after a few seconds. When I am out in the water the rpm starts off decent to 4500 but after a while it stalls to 2000 and can't get more power. It seems when there is less weight on the boat it is more willing to rev up higher. Carbs have been rebuilt, compression 100 on all cylinders give and take, fuel pump replaced, used the portable tank method for fuel quality, new thermostat. At a loss now. Power pack issue?
@@MattsShop we switched the coil packs. Just found out about the power packs. Engine runs but goes into safe mode I guess. It's just the top cylinder that seems to have an issue. Others two are fine. Being new to motors, I guess I want to know the chances of it being the power pack. There are so many possibilities and trying to narrow down to pinpoint the issue.
Are there 2 or more power packs you can swap around? Is your trigger/timer base stuck or is it properly advancing the timing when you move the throttle?
@@MattsShop I only have one cdi power pack and just found out it's $650 smh. I am not about to order it and find out it's not the problem. I don't know much of how the timer base works but the motor at times goes up to 4500rpm and stalls after either too much load or when I'm going against the current. once it stalls it's usually constant at 1500-2000rpm. only strange thing i can pick up on is the top cylinder can't maintain itself when I unplug the bottom 2 ignition coils. I'm going to check the hoses to see if any blockage going into the carb. Seems lots of people experiencing similar limp mode issues but the issues are not the same. I appreciate u taking the time to respond back.
What year Yamaha is this? Is it newer with some kind of computer? Some of these outboards have other sensors that can go bad. It can turn into a big deal to diagnose them. Is it an old school no computer model?
Hi mate my Johnston 90hp outbound 3 cylinder engine runs great when cold but after about 2-3 hours or running around the boat goes to plane then go and bogs and splatters with no power at all Ofcouse it’s still running and can get it back to sure but it songs like a car on limiter going btttr btttr bttr on full throttle, I’m new to the boating world I’m very mechanically minded could you help me out if I email you a video of it running or can send via Facebook or something? 😢 I’m thinking power pack or something power wise. You will know straight away if I show you
Hi Matt, I have a 1995 Johnson 15HP. Similar to setup in the video i.e. electric start etc. The motor will start perfectly every time however after motoring for a bit it will lose power. As in power will drop off and run slower even with throttle fully open. If I stop to say fish it will start again without a problem but again die away as I moving. Looking at similar videos it may be overheating but Im not sure. Any ideas?
Make sure you are using the right plugs. Some Evinrudes can use J-plugs instead of surface gap plugs. It sounds like you could be fouling out your plugs. Another thing is ignition components tend to start failing while they're hot, and once they cool down they work fine again.
hey Matt I got a 1998 3 cylinder 35 horse Evinrude and I think the power pack might be bad the bottom two cylinders are fine but the top one does not get a spark even though I switched around the coils and even put a new coil in so I'm wondering if that sounds like just one of the power supplies from the power pack that powers up the coil could be bad but the other two would be good any help would be great thank you Doug
Hello Matt. I have a 2005 mercury 50hp 4 stroke motor on my 21ft pontoon boat. I'm having a speed problem. Seems like it was faster last year. (no speed demon of course). This year it will only get up to 12-14mph, then after a few minutes, it will eventually slow down to 8-9mph. I have 100 on each cylinder for compression, put new fuel tank with new fuel on it, new plugs, and new line and bubble on it. It will not get above 3200-3500 rpms . I am waiting for the fuel filter to come in the mail from Amazon. Do you have any other suggestions or think it may be a power pk?
Is your prop in good shape? Check the rubber hub on the prop. Make sure it is not worn out. Is your timer base fully advancing and all the linkages moving freely? Is your fuel pump diaphragm in good shape? I wouldn't go straight to the powerpack.
I have seen them do weird things. If you have a weak spark I am more inclined to think that the stator is weak not generating enough power. It's all guess work from my end though.
+Jarod Morris Yea, I've been there before. If you go the route of finding a hull try to find one without carpet. Find one that is just fiberglass and gelcoat! If it's a bass boat you're looking for though it's going to be nearly impossible.
Thank you Matt for the video. Very insightful. I have a 1980 Evinrude 85 HP engine. It has become increasingly finicky at low to moderate rpms. Seems like one cylinder is occasionally missing when idling or motoring at low speeds. I ran OMC tuner through the engine and changed the plugs. It idles better and doesn't kill so easily, but when I throttle up it seems like one cylinder is missing. When I get to full throttle, it runs fine. These issues existed before I changed the plugs. Curious whether you have any theories before I spend $200 on power packs. Thank you in advance! Brian
I have a 1982 Evinrude 90 hp outboard motor it cranked up a month ago and then three weeks later no crank and no spark on all four sparkplugs ,it turns over and spins but no Sparks ,it's always ran before this is the first time it has done this does anyone have any suggestions would appreciate it so much thank you
Got a problem with a 1995 Fast Strike 115hp. Seems to be timing advance related, but I’m not too sure what the source would be. As it idles, it’ll start missing(?), and it starts gradually increasing RPM without even touching the throttle. It’ll fluctuate back and forth from a normal idle to maybe 1200 RPM (we don’t have a working tach, so not too sure just judging by ear).
Did you find the problem? A leaking gasket between the carb/s and intake manifold, allowing more air in, can cause your problem. Same goes for the gasket between the intake manifold and the piston head.
I have a 93 johnson 200 and getting the wires back into the thing is impossible. There's closer to 100 wires not a "couple" I'm about to sell this thing as is
@@MattsShop I pulled the power pack off and replaced the stator and trigger. Getting the wires back under the powerpack was I real pita. I just crammed them in there. Probably not even close to where they were originally.
man, replaced my power pack and got about 5 good sparks and then now nothing... something is burning out power packs on the engine that I have... ugh any ideas?
I remember reading/hearing about having stray voltage on the Evinrude kill switch circuit could burn out a power pack. Something isn't wired right for sure. Maybe your stator is completely toast and keeps frying your power packs or some wires are frayed and rubbing together? Here's my video on How To Test An Outboard Stator: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SwYHj0xKh90.html
hey can you do one with changing the crank shaft ? mine is stripped down idk what happened there like the fly wheel nut is stripped majorly lol idk any ideas?
That would involve taking most of the motor apart. I can't make a custom video for you because this motor runs fine. However, if I were you, I would do EVERYTHING I could to fix those threads on the crankshaft before you take your motor that far apart. It is going to involve a TON of work to get it right. Corroded bolts start snapping, etc, it could turn into a huge mess. Maybe try a thread file, or did you completely rip all of the threads off of the crank shaft? Watch my video on how to fix stripped bolt threads and try to apply that technique to your motor. Here's my video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6SyLRbtrsOw.html
it is a 30 hp and i dont have access to those kind of tools in my area im pretty isolated here lol its a fly in community i was thinking maybe i should try to get the tap and die set to make new threads on the crank shaft so my new crank nut will fit or i'll have to get a new nut that will fit idk im stumped right now
It was a new pack no visible corrosion One suggested the temp sensor wire was touching a plug wire. this was the case but have not had a chance to get back in the water.
The original problem was the moter would not fire at all . After changing the pack it started and ran fine except it was about 1000 to 1500 rpm slower then before.
96 88hp evinrude that all of a sudden has no power too anything. brand new battery. 500cca. trim, guages, choke from the key, electronics... nothing works and it just did. only thing i did was change water pump and battery. yes the battery is hooked up correctly. im lost. can you help?
There is a tiny glass fuse in between red wires in a red rubber holder on your outboard. Look up the Amperage on the parts diagram for your model. It's probably broken or burnt out.
Help, I have a 1988 Evenrude 70HP O/B. Getting no spark. Engine turns but no pop at all. Friend said in all probability it's the power pack. I only have the one power pack. What's your feelings?
Did you check the ignition cutoff safety switch and its wiring? It usually has lanyard that connects to a life jacket. If it's not working the motor will spin, but not spark and will drive you crazy.
You can look up the wiring diagram for the big red plug Evinrudes online and see if you can test it at the motor with a multimeter to make sure it is working. The wiring harnesses are all the same for all the older ones. Put the multimeter on the wires it says, switch the meter to OHMS, and connect/disconnect the lanyard. Look for a change in the readings.
Hey! I have a 1989 Evinrude 150hp with a power pack in the shape of a fat T lol Anyways, my boat ran fine and then one day it started up fine and when I went to full throttle it went for thirty seconds and bogged down and wouldn’t get up to speed. Changed fuel lines spark plugs and all..ran fine the next day do u though I fixed it....well three months later, SAME PROBLEM. I had my boat savy guy friend come help me and he started tapping on the power pack when we were bogged down and then we’d start to gain power/all cylinders were firing erratically every time he’d tap on the power power pack! CRAZY! My question is...before I spend three hundred dollars, would you agree with him that the power pack is going out? Lol
I have a 86 25hp Johnson it was running fine after i replaced the power pack but then after 10 minutes on the water i was left dead in the middle of the lake WTF is killing it its to much $$$$ for 10 minutes
hey bro, I got a 77 75hp evinrude. starts up and idles just fine and revs up in neutral. in gear it dies at about 5mph. my ground wire to the power pack has a small section where the wire looks nicked. is there a way I can test that wire to see if it's robbing me of power to the plugs? can I replace that portion of wire without any problems?
If there are any nicks in wires it is bad because corrosion wicks it's way into the wire. I don't suspect that is your only problem, but you can test the wire. They make needle probes for your multimeter. You can pierce the wire a little above the fray and put one probe there and one on the other end of the wire/engine block. That way you can see if it's still good or not. Yea, you can replace the wire, but I wouldn't use crimp connectors. You want to solder a new piece on and heat shrink it preferably with marine heat shrink that has the hot glue inside it. Just make sure that you leave enough wire coming out of the power pack so if it gets messed up you have some to work with. Here's what the probes look like: amzn.to/2uaGLuK
Mine is cutting out at 4k and drops to 3k... I had a bad thermostat that was weeping water all over my right bank spark plugs and wires. The top plug wire was badly rusted so I replaced all and also had wrong plugs from previous owner. Runs amazing in driveway but I have yet to do a lake run. I will update as soon as I do.
+Brantville Ottawa This motor is a 1979 Evinrude 140. The power packs are used on multuple engines through multiple year/HP ranges. You still have to get the right one for your engine through the part number. You are right, they do look very similar though. Thanks for watching!
Hello Mat, thanks for the video. Im facing a problem with my engine, the botton spark aways get wet of gasoline but the middle ones and the top sparks works great so engine only starts if i push the trotle. anyways the botton sparks really sparks as well. im lost :(
@@MattsShop 3 times, one mechanic saída thats could be a eletric problem with the time, exploding the botton cilindet at wrong time bit its really font explain why the spark is aways wet... Do u think that the botton carb could injectin too much fuel and killing the botton spark ?
I have Etec 90Evinrude Outboard when i put it on full throttle the motor just slow down and it sounds like sparks plugs playing up but i did put new sparks plugs on can someone help me this problem.
Great vid! :) I have a -88 50hp Evinrude. There is just one powerpack - so I can't switch to test... :-P Bummer if I order a new powerpack and it turns out that it's the stator instead. Wish I could find out if it's working or not. My engine was increasingly harder to start last season, both cold and warm, and after not being used the whole of september it didn't start at all. I measured spark this year, but nothing on any of the two plugs. Do you know if a powerpack can cause that, or is it a "working or not working" situation?
Honestly, I would check the stator and the trigger/timer base first. They are more likely to fail. That motor has two cylinders right? Here are my videos: How To Test An Outboard Stator - The EASY Way!: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SwYHj0xKh90.html How To Replace An Outboard Stator and Timer Base: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AxenGP-1C78.html Let me know what you find.
You are welcome. Yea, you are right. These things are very simple if you sit down and troubleshoot one part at a time you will eventually arrive at a solution.
