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No spark at points or plugs, there's more to it, help?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jangusmcbarley
  • Start date Start date
J

Jangusmcbarley

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Re: 1978 gs1000e. Thanks for putting this site up. Not much help from nearby shops. I've rebuilt my carbs, per the handy guide linked to this site. I changed the points/condensers. I think I've got them right. I've been troubleshooting them, put old condensers back on. Still no spark. Now, when I was putting the bike back together I did not connect both ground wires, left the main, thicker one disconnected and tried to start it. This was a huge oversight on my part if that is the issue. No spark at plugs or points. It's seems the starter celenoid mounted near fuse panel and coil is the first in line on the wiring. I'm hoping this will be the issue because it's relatively inexpensive. And ideas, folks? Thank you in advance,

Jangus
 
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Disconnect the wires coming from the coil(s) at the points. Turn the ignition key on and measure the voltage at the end of wire while it's disconnected. Do you have voltage ?

Turn key off.

Block open the points and reattach the wire coming from the coil to it's respective set of points. Turn the key on and measure the voltage where the wire attaches to the points. You should have battery voltage, if not there is something wrong with the points being shorted or the condenser.

Repeat with the second set of points.

Remove whatever you used to block open the points (and it better not have been electrically conductive) :rolleyes:
 
Thanks, rustybronco! I'll get after it tomorrow and post accordingly.
Jangus
 
Rodger that and I'll watch this thread.

What you are looking to find out is if there is voltage at the points, and if there is voltage, do the points connect that voltage to ground to energize the coils, or are the points (condensers as well) electrically shorted to ground not allowing them to electrically open the connection.

After that we can move onto checking the condensers and see if they are shorted to ground or not working as they should (open).

While you have the wire(s) from the coils disconnected, put one voltmeter lead on the terminal and connect the other lead to the engine. Flip it on ohms (Ω) and manually open and close the points.

Point arcing because of an open condenser. http://s612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/wallowgreen/Garage/?action=view&current=Cap0002.mp4 A shorted condenser will never arc because 'electrically' the points are never open.

Do you understand how the system works now?
 
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It's a very simple system.

When the points are closed, current flows through the coils primary winding causing a magnetic field to be built up. When the point contacts open, the magnetic field collapses and induces current into the secondary winding which is seen as a 'spark' jumping from electrode to electrode on the plug.
 
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