Bad Powerpack ?

[76Red18]

Motor- 1999 Johnson 150 Ocean Pro Carbed 60 deg. V-6
Went out this morning and didn't even make it a 1/4 mile. Crusin @ 4500 rpm and motor slows down to high idle. Acted like the S.L.O.W. engaged but no buzzer and temp @ 165 which is where it normally runs. I shut it off and let it cool long enough for S.L.O.W. to disengage. I started the motor and still only could get 2200 rpm. I checked for spark from the plug wires and only have fire on the starboard cylinder bank. I checked all connections and grounds. About a year ago my buzzer and S.L.O.W. system engaged for no apparent reason and I've had no issues since then. Anyone ever had this problem? I think it has to be the power pack. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Richard

[76Red18]

Now that I think about it, very rarely I also have a slight miss @ w.o.t. that I just thought was carb issues.

[Bushwacker]

No spark on one bank does sound like a powerpack. I had one go bad on my 1975 V-4 years ago, which only had 1 pack for whole motor. Symptom was no spark on 1 cyl; initially thought it was a coil but swapping coils didn't fix it. If I put in a fresh plug in that cyl, it would run fine until I came off plane, and then it would foul that plug again. Eventually lost spark on both cyls on that bank; changing power pack fixed it.

[Bigshrimpin]

My brother has the same motor . . . when his powerpack died . . . he be driving along 4500 and it would cut out completely. Then the motor wouldn't start for the next 30 minutes. It was a crapshoot everytime he got in the boat as to whether or not it would start at all. Somedays it ran fine. After he paid $1000 to a mechanic that didn't fix anything and charged 10hours @ $95 for scratching his ballz. We bought a complete ignition off ebay for $250 . . . and started to replace parts one at a time. Swapped out the powerpack first and the problem went away. Swapped the old powerpack back and the problem returned. Pulled the old one off again and beat it with a hammer.

That was about 3 years ago and the motor has run flawlessly since.

[76Red18]

Thanks. I think this motor only has 1 power pack also thats located under the 3 coils. There is also some kind of "module" encased in a rubberized housing located on top of the motor behind the crank shaft.

[76Red18]

Thanks for the info. I agree with you about some of these mechanics. I have a high quality test meter and my Seloc manual does give good info on testing the ignition componants so I guess I'll dig in.

[76Red18]

Figured it out. Shift switch, second test on the list. I guess it cuts one bank to lessen strain on gears! So I'll unplug it for the day and go fishin..