77 Johnson 85hp no spark

I have a 77 Johnson 85hp that is hard to start from time to time. I had the motor running on the muffs yesterday but today when I tried to start it, it wouldnt. It turns over fine but will not fire. I pulled the plugs one at a time and checked for spark and none of them are firing.

Ever since I have owned this boat, the motor has always been a PITA to start first time of the day, but after that, it will run strong all day. I am almost wondering if the no spark is an intermittent issue because sometimes when it will not start, I try a few things, and it will start with no explanation. Its like it starts when it wants.

What would be the best way to troubleshoot this?

I was going to take my wife out fishing in the morning but now it dosent look like it will happen. This would have been her first time out since her neck surgery in May.

The model number is 85ETLR77S.

Have you checked your kill-switch, sometimes they will have a bad connection due to a loose wire or bad contact. Jump the kill switch and see if the motor runs.....

This one dosent have a kill switch.

Heres an update... I went out first thing this morning and pulled a plug and still got no spark. Gave up on the idea of going fiahing so I took the wife out to breakfast. On the way back stopped by Auto Zone and bought a gear puller to pull the fly wheel and said what the heck... I'll try it one more time. Wouldnt you know it, the dang thing started right up. The only thing I did was turn the steering wheel so now Im wondering if I might have a short in the main harness going into the motor.

Is there anyway to check for a short in this cable? I know intermittent problems are next to impossible figure out.

I am open to any ideas, but I think I might be on to something with the main harness.

wouldn't be the first time there was a broken with in a harness. DO NOT use a gear puller on the flywheel get a harmonic balancer puller and use the correct size bolts in to the flywheel. You can try a remote start switch hooked up to the starter to see if it starts.

Check your ignition switch first for broken wires.

I guess I should have been more specific on the gear puller. I did get a harmonic puller, aka chicken foot. I am still trying to find a remote starter switch, Auto Zone said they didnt have any.

Heres a question for the remote starter. Whats the best way to kill the motor when using this?

Leave the harness connected.

I had a possibly the exact same motor....I believe it was a 1977 Johnson 85hp.

Anyway, I was going Wide Open Throttle back to the dock...engine just died. No cough, no sputter, just running, then not.

Engine would turn over, but not start (battery and all electrical connections were good).

Long story short, I ended being the power pack....boat would randomly start....run perfectly..die...etc....$130.00 part...easy to install

Is it possible for the power pack to be intermittent or is it one of those things that either works or it dosent? I ask that because I just went out and tried to start it and I got nothing...didnt even turn over. I wiggled my harness around going into the motor...nothing. Then I took my controls apart and checked the switch wiring and cleaned all the terminals...nothing. Cleaned all the terminals in the power pack...nothing. Then I unbolted the power pack, leaving all the wires connected, put it back on and it started right up.

I absolutely HATE intermittent electrical problems. They are a pain. I refuse to take this thing to a shop as I am very mechanically inclined but just need a little guidance from time to time.

Tap on the pack with the handle end of a screwdriver and try it.

I actually did that. When I first went to start it, it did turn over once but did not start so I tapped the power pack. Thats when it would not even turn over or anything until I took it off and put it back on.