1980 GS550E Electronic ignition .... issue

[ukjules]

I bought new plugs , same .
Today while waiting forr parts I will do a rebtest.

I'll check wiring , shirts etcbut the facts are as you have them.
The only thing I can think of is this **** ignition system
That has never worked properly.

Today my second pickup might arrive.
Timing gun, (a second regulater just in case )

 

[tatu]

if you have spark and fuel then it only leaves compression.

 

[ukjules]

Not in this case so join the club of people who are stumped.
While this is the case I am stuck.

Checked all again this morning.
Spark, plug wet, and compression measured and same as plug 1.
I have had similar on a 2 cylinder bike.

This was connection from the pickups to a box and then onto coil.
A poor connection.

Issue here is 2,3 should fire together and 3 is ok.

I am going to swap the coils one more time as I have nothing else to do.

Don't forget this suddenyyl went on 3 on a very hot day.
Since it has never worked again.

 

[ukjules]

Ok,

Do younrexkon I can strip the carbs , or num 2 in a field ?
At home I can do it easily.
I am trying to pre empt the tools needed and I think I have em all.

All same as said but the plug was dry this time ?
I need to check the carb I resume.

 

[ukjules]

Answer to my own question :
Yes I took carbs out. Cleaned pilot , main jets.
They.might have been dirty !

Anyway all back had to buy cold start to start bike but now back
Exactly the same running on 3.cylinders.
Cylinder 2 has spark when tested plug out.

Anyway back to 3.cylinders again. Stuck.
I await my second set of pickuos.
Also the bike shops here I ally cannot find.
Al useless.
I can't move until this is fixed ? Any ideas
As opposed to wait for my pi Kyle and then dyna kit
To arrive in days. ?

 

[tatu]

Have you tried swapping the plug leads over? 1 & 4 and more to the point 2 & 3, I don't think it will be pick ups because you are getting a spark and one of the other pair is firing.

 

[Guest]

Yep, swap HT leads as tatu suggests, and also check the physical connection on #2 in its normal position. It's a long shot, but it could be producing a spark when you're testing it, but you're losing the connection when re-installing it.

 

[hampshirehog]

Plus try swapping the plug from the dud cylinder to another. What Chris said about NGKs was correct and I've seen it dozens of times.

 

[ukjules]

What you inform has been done, I am sure but will be more.clinical now.
But, I will 're check and will have firm answers later.

It is as if like you say it loses its connection in normal position.
I need an in line spark plug tester which of course I don't have.

I will check again but I still say it is not plugs, caps, ht leads or coils
As have swapped em all about.

I'll report but thinking do I get to it and remove carbs again ?
And buy some carb cleaner (10m cycle with hired bike away)

 

[ukjules]

Results of test:
Plug swap - no change
I have tried all new plugs too

Swap plug leads over - this done physically
and in same location in coil. - no change , 2.remains not firing.

Physical connection on 2 looks and feels ok.
Can't che k with plug in as done have in line tester.

Plug 2 sparks when out

Plug 2is wet.

Coils primary - 5.7 ohms.
These have worked fine since bought off eBay.
I did think the resistance was high as old ones were
3.3 ohms.

Pickups coming
Dyna ignition coming
Old points system at base camp in UK
Campsite staff checking online for coils in Holland

What can I do on meantime ?
Shall I buy a inline tester for plug ? If I can ?

I will wait to the last before I do a full carb clean in this field
but can do that. (I did carb 2 test) but not the float spring valve thing.

You guys help is so so useful !

 

[tatu]

No need for in line spark tester, I am sure it isn't spark, but just to check, pull the lead off the plug so it's just loose on the plug, start the bike, with insulated pliers, rag, whatever, pull the cap away from the plug and you should hear clicking from the cap, if you do that's the HT doing it's job.

 

[habsdoc]

What type of petcock are you using??? Can the vacuum line be flooding the #2 plug??? Give it a try on prime only with the vacuum line plugged.

 

[tatu]

plug 2 is wet, you got spark. again, it only leaves compression. How did you/the guy check your compression?

 

[ukjules]

When I remove cap on 2 it does not crackle.
The other three I am sure do. They work anyway.

But remember when I test plug out of bike it sparks.

Compression was tested with compression tester.
I saw it , the same as cyl 1.
I can't recall the figure though.

 

[ukjules]

Petcock is on or res.
I took this out and cleaned it.

Flooding 2. Is poss ....
But vacuum line can't get petrol.
Breather tubes are in ok , 2 of.

Anyway it is same with tank off !
Same issue with tank removed .

 

[tatu]

Petcock is on or res.
I took this out and cleaned it.

Flooding 2. Is poss ....
But vacuum line can't get petrol.
Breather tubes are in ok , 2 of.

Anyway it is same with tank off !
Same issue with tank removed .

Habsdoc is right, vacuum line can get fuel if the diaphragm is leaky

 

[tatu]

You say you have swapped 2 with three and there was no difference in running, so that eliminates spark problem. that leaves compression, very small chance of fuel but that is also very unlikely in view of your previous comments.

 

[ukjules]

The issue was sudden.
Like ovwrheating I thought. But of course now we know.

I took the carb off yest, I didn't look at the diaphragm but
I didn't really notice anything.
It doesn't soujd like a sudden event ?

What about plug 2 not crackling when Inserted ?
Compression fine

 

[tatu]

Compression tests can be inconclusive if not done in the correct sequence,
hot engine,
full open throttle,
Crank over, (best pull all the plugs out to maximise efficiency of speed and battery conservation)
To get a better idea of where the leak might be: a couple of squirts of oil down t plug hole will help seal the rings, if there is negligible increase in compression figures then you will have burnt valve/s
From everything you say, this is where I would be focusing.

 

[tatu]

The issue was sudden.
Like ovwrheating I thought. But of course now we know.

I took the carb off yest, I didn't look at the diaphragm but
I didn't really notice anything.
It doesn't soujd like a sudden event ?

What about plug 2 not crackling when Inserted ?
Compression fine

Not the carb diaphragm, the one in the fuel tap