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Ignitor or coil or... ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Guest
So, the bike died on cylinders 2-3 today. Just like that... worked fine, then parked it and when I started it again, it worked only on 1-4. :-s

We're talking about '81 - 850.

I've checked all the connectors and they seem fine. Connectors are either new or thoroughly cleaned, as part of the recent complete electrics rebuild. Coils are also new, green Dyna.

I'm thinking next step would be to check if it is really the coil that went south.
I have never done this test so it would be good if someone could tell me if my planning is sound...
I can swap the coils (left to right and vice versa) and also swap the plug leads, 1-4 to 2-3 and vice versa, and see if after the swap it's the 1-4 cylinders that are not firing.

Is that a good plan? Any other thoughts from the trusted GSR, or things I should know before I atempt this ? Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Good plan. :clap:

Don't forget to change ALL the wires on the coils. Change the primary wires and the plug wires. :o

.
 
...as I posted before....I had this exact problem. The coils, wires, caps were new. The connectors clean. The problem was high resistance within the (old original) crimp on the coil connectors. I cut the coil connectors out and twisted and soldered the wires together. Problem solved.
 
Steve said:
Don't forget to change ALL the wires on the coils. Change the primary wires and the plug wires. :o

.
Click to expand...


Thanks Steve and north49. Both the wires to the coils and the plug leads are new. The connectors from the coils to the wiring harness are new as well.
 
Ivor,

My guess is one of the output transistors failed in the ignitor. check out Mate Andre's thread on testing that system.
 
Well, I wasn't so much suggesting that you replace the wires. What I was trying to to was to remind you that you can't simply swap the coils from side to side. The connectors on the wires are different, so you need to swap the wires, too. :o

.
 
I'm not too familiar with the 850 igniter setup, but I had a similar problem with my 1150. I would first check the resistance of both coils(both input leads and also the output) if they are the same on each coil, you most likely dont have bad coils. If switching the coils produces the same results(same cylinders not firing), I would look at the igniter box. On my 1150, the box isn't a sealed unit, so you can slide the circuit board out of the black case. I found hairline cracks in the solder joints all over the place. Resoldered them and problem was fixed. Again, I dont know if your igniter unit is the same setup, but can't hurt to check. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys, will check the coils first and keep you informed.


Steve, a bit of a misunderstanding there :oops:

... but when I had the coils connectors replaced I installed indentical connectors on both sides/coils and I actually can just swap them left to right :)
 
I swapped the coils and the problem REMAINS at cylinders 2-3. I guess that means the coils are working.
I have also checked the voltage at both coils and it's OK.

So, it's either the signal generator or the igniter, right?

Any tips on checking these components?

Here's a photo for your indulgence :D

P5141778-1.jpg
 
I've also tested the signal generator as per Matchless' writeup and get resistance of 310 Ohm between the blue and green wires, and no resistance between either of the wires and batt neg, so that's all good.

Igniter it must be... :mad:
 
I opened the ignitor box but couldn't seen anything wrong... nothing burnt, unsoldered, cracked, etc.

Shall I buy Dyna S and be done with it? Thoughts?
 
psyguy said:
I've also tested the signal generator as per Matchless' writeup and get resistance of 310 Ohm between the blue and green wires, and no resistance between either of the wires and batt neg, so that's all good.

Igniter it must be... :mad:
Click to expand...


Ivor,
So far every faulty GS850/1000 igniter one I have seen have had one of the output transistors failed. Have a look at my writeup on your igniter. Do some comparative resistance tests between the two transistor legs and it should show up the faulty one.
Replace with 2SD799 transistors which are cheaply available.
Here is the link: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmmoluy1yev
Good luck
 
Last edited:
Thanks Andre, I have read your excellent writeup but need a bit more time to get my head around the details of testing the ignitor itself and replacing faulty components. I have done similar things in the past but time is scarce these days... may have to leave it for a lazy winter weekend ;)
 
Dvna S is now on the way :)

Thanks for your help guys.

I'll start a new thread to ask you how to wire in the Dyna S and the Coils into a single (new) relay... :o
 
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