GS850G Won't Start, Electrical Issue, No Spark

[dandypop]

My bike is a custom-wired cafe racer (no haters, please). I had it running top notch and was really enjoying my time on the bike, when tragedy struck. I think my R/R failed and I had an overcharging issue. My AGM battery (under the rear cowl/fairing) blew it's seals and leaked out fluid, which shorted out the entire lighting system (all light components were on their own circuits). Fried every last one of them, had to replace headlight, turn signals, digital gauge, tail lights, etc. All fried. After replacing everything and verifying that all the wiring was good, and replacing the R/R with an SH775 from our friend here on the site, I attempted to fire the bike up and it will not start. All fuel-related troubleshooting was attempted, and verified that my float bowls fill, fuel is moving to the carbs, etc.

I am getting no spark at the plugs. I did every test I could find that doesn't require a running bike, and validated that the coils are good, stator has the proper low resistance and no grounding, signal generator has the proper resistance. I can't find a good/easy/understandable way to test my igniter, and I don't know what else I might be missing.

Please help me walk through possibilities, for any of you who have time. Where should I start?

[KiwiAlfa156]

Is it standard ignition, or aftermarket?

[Buffalo Bill]

Any service manual will outline a trouble shooting process for no spark.

[dandypop]

Is it standard ignition, or aftermarket?

Standard.

If anyone knows how to test the TCI/Igniter, I'd appreciate some guidance. The service manual is not super clear to me on that one. It requires a Suzuki "pocket tester" which I don't have. And the manual from June 1983 that I have must be for the older bikes because it talks about points, but the later '83 bikes moved to the transistorized igniter system and does not have points.

[rphillips]

Just something simple and easy. If running resistor plugs, remove plug and ground it to eng. then look at spark on plug while cranking. next install a non resistor plug on that same wire and cap and compare that spark to the resistor plug spark. This happened to me, a few yrs. back, and I saw a huge difference in the sparks. I installed 4 non resistors and bike fired right up and is still running great today with the non resistor plugs..

[dandypop]

Just something simple and easy. If running resistor plugs, remove plug and ground it to eng. then look at spark on plug while cranking. next install a non resistor plug on that same wire and cap and compare that spark to the resistor plug spark. This happened to me, a few yrs. back, and I saw a huge difference in the sparks. I installed 4 non resistors and bike fired right up and is still running great today with the non resistor plugs..

rphillips, I appreciate the response, but need some clarification. What do resistored/non-resistored spark plugs have to do with my problem? I'm not asking for a performance increase; I am getting zero spark after a serious overcharging situation. As I stated in the original post, I am not getting any spark whatsoever and am looking for help to solve that issue.

I used the test method from a GS1100 manual to test the TCI. If any of you have done this and can help me validate my findings, I'd appreciate it. I do not have a Suzuki Pocket Tester, so I tested it with my multimeter on ohms and still did not get a spark at plugs 3 or 4. Does a multimeter even have the ability to generate a spark the way a Pocket Tester would? Any other ideas on how to test the TCI?

[dandypop]

Any service manual will outline a trouble shooting process for no spark.

Buffalo Bill, do you have any experience testing TCI's? I could use some help on this, man. The manual is not doing it for me on this one, I need gurus.

[chuck hahn]

If you put a dyna ignition in it the igniter (CDI) goes away. You simply wire the red wire into one of theb12 volt supply leads to a coil. The black lead goes to one coil and the white to the other. If it wont start or pops and backfires switch the nlack and white leads. Toss the igniter.

[Buffalo Bill]

I'm understanding Chucks test procedure. My Clymer manual test is the same but said in different words.
Take plugs 3 & 4 out but connected to coil wires, rest them against the engine so they're grounded so if they spark you can see it.
Turn on the bike, but don't touch the starter button.
Your meter should be set to Resistance 1
Take the blue and green leads from the ingniter, connect the + meter lead to the blue wire, and the - to the green wire.
Number 4 plug should spark, disconnect the - lead and the 3 plug should spark.
You only want to see one spark from each plug, not start the engine.
If nothing happens, search Ebay for a replacement igniter and buy it.
PS: If you tested everything else and it was all good, and you're sure the igniter is prime suspect, buy one without testing the old.
PPS: You can use a 1.5v flashlight battery instead of a meter, because it's the meter or 1.5v battery that is loading the coil with elec. for the spark.

[rphillips]

Didn't mean resistor or non resistor plugs had anything to do with your problem... A few yrs back I thought I had no spark on my GSX1100G after it's winter nap. It would crank fine but no sign of trying to start, no pop, try to hit a little, just like no spark. Pulled a plug to check the spark, and after shutting the garage doors to make it darker could see a very small weak spark. I plugged in a non resistor plug and the spark got big and bright blue, as it should be. I installed the 4 non resistors and my bike fired right up, still running them today with no problems... Just thought it'd be simple for you, while scratching your head, to give it a try, possibly your problem could be what mine had been. Hope you get it sorted quickly and easily.

[chuck hahn]

I wasnt laying out a test procedure. I was saying upgrade to a Dyna and be done with igniter box.