Not starting after bike went down

[williamcryan]

I have pulled the plugs, cranked it over with throttle open as recommended, replaced with new plugs and still not starting or sound like anything is firing up. The carbs are getting fuel. It seems to be an ignition problem, possible electronic ignition. Before I have it taken to the shop, I'd like to check the ignition. Any tips on how to check if I am getting spark to my plugs while I'm cranking the engine. From what I read, I'll just pull a plug, crank the engine and see if I see if I see spark jumping across the electrode. Any tips would be appreciated on the next step if I don't see a spark.

 

[Agemax]

pull a plug, attach it back on the HT lead and lay the plug on the cylinder head so it is grounded. then spin the motor over and you will see if you have a spark or not. DO NOT HOLD ON TO THE PLUG WHEN CRANKING MOTOR...IT HURTS!
best to check a plug from both coils just to eliminate a duff coil

 

[williamcryan]

Thanks Agemax. shoot, I pulled the plug, attached it back to the HD lead, grounded the plug and no spark. I then connected a test lamp to the grounded plug and no light. I replaced the two coils a couple of years ago. The electronic ignition is probably stock. What other electronic components can I test to isolate the problem?

 

[Agemax]

Thanks Agemax. shoot, I pulled the plug, attached it back to the HD lead, grounded the plug and no spark. I then connected a test lamp to the grounded plug and no light. I replaced the two coils a couple of years ago. The electronic ignition is probably stock. What other electronic components can I test to isolate the problem?

sorry but i really dont know much about the 1100 electronic ignition set up so i cant really help any more. i am sure somebody will be along soon with some help for you.you wont light a test lamp by attaching it to a plug by the way.

only 1 thing i can suggest is to make sure you have 12v at the coils with the ignition switch on, then i'm out of ideas.......

have a look here, it may help you.........

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/electrical_odd-n-ends.html#A11

 

[williamcryan]

Thanks for your help. I will check volts at the coil. I did check for spark at both outer cylinders. Something electrical could have jostled loose when the bike went down. The bike went down pretty easy, just slipped and slid. Any information on how to test the electronic ignition for my 82 GS1100G would be appreciated.

 

[Agemax]

Thanks for your help. I will check volts at the coil. I did check for spark at both outer cylinders. Something electrical could have jostled loose when the bike went down. The bike went down pretty easy, just slipped and slid. Any information on how to test the electronic ignition for my 82 GS1100G would be appreciated.

1 + 4 (the 2 outer cylinders) use the same coil so i would just check either 2 or 3 for a spark just to be sure

 

[williamcryan]

Thanks for the 'Testing the ignition System' link. I checked battery voltage, it was about 12.6, although not fully charged. I checked plugs by cranking engine and no spark on cylinders 1 and 2, used by both coils. I then checked voltage on the coils with ignition on and I got about 9 volts on each coil. I didn't measure voltage while starting and lights on, but I'm not suspecting a battery problem since the bike has always started right up even after sitting for several days and cold weather. I did not check ohms on the coil. At this point going forward in my testing I sort of ran into a knowledge wall, but thanks to the Clymer manual and the testing link, I believe I can continue on with testing the igniter, which was were I was running into a problem with since I didn't know where it was located and I still don't, except it is on the left side and I think I know what it looks like. So, onward I go, maybe I can finish testing tomorrow.

 

[tom203]

With ignition on, you should get about a minimum of 11 volts from orange/white wire (connects to both coils) to a good ground - 9 volts is likly too low for some ignitors to fire (no spark at plugs). Assuming your battery is OK, somewhere you are losing juice ( key and/or run switch or wiring ). Since you went down on right side, I'd be suspicious of off/run switch wiring. You could run a jumper wire from battery positive to o/w wires on coils and then see if you get spark during cranking. Be careful, bike on centerstand and in neutral

 

[williamcryan]

Thanks for the tip Tom203. That's were experience and knowledge helps. I'll give it another test and proceed on.

 

[tom203]

Thanks for the tip Tom203. That's were experience and knowledge helps. I'll give it another test and proceed on.

I should have added that the jumper wire needs to feed the ignitor too- that o/w wire connects to coils and then travels down harness to feed ignitor. If your coils have spade terminals, pull back connection slightly and stick jumper on exposed o/w terminal-this way both the coils and the ignitor see full battery voltage,