I'm going crazy!!

I have a 82 xj550 and i cant figure out why its not getting spark. I have replaced the coils with new/ used ones because i thought the old ones were bad. everything seems to be getting power i used my test light. Is there a possibility it could be the cdi box??

 

Did you test the coils per the specs in the manual?

Are your plugs good / the right ones?

Is it no spark on all cylinders?

Only suspect your tci after all other options have been ruled out (at least thats what the manual suggests)

 

I checked the coils with a cheap reader they were throwing out 2 to 2.3 oms. i dont have a manual that would help alot.
yes they were working fine before i cleaned them i didnt change the gap at all. they were getting a strong spark.
no there is no spark off either coil.

 

Be sure you are checking the spark correctly per the wasted spark system. For example, when testing for spark on #1 cylinder, the #4 cylinder plug wire must be connected and both plugs must be grounded to the head. Same for #2 and #3.

Here is a good link on the theory of the wasted spark system and troubleshooting no spark:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/how-to-ignition-troubleshooting.21932/

 

Would that work for the screw driver test?

 

You've lost me here, you cleaned your plugs and now you have no spark?

Be more specific, would what work for the screwdriver test? (By screwdriver test i assume you mean shorting across solenoid?)

 

Read the link rooster posted, it gives explicit steps to test if no spark on all 4

 

i cleaned the plugs after i lost spark. the screwdriver test is you put it in the wire and hold it close to the head and see if your getting spark from the coil.

 

Ohhh okay, have you tried testing with the plugs and caps properly installed on the "new" coils?

If not, try reinstalling it all to the coil wite and making sure the pair of plugs in question (1&4 or 2&3) are properly grounded to the head.

I feel like based on what rooster explained that the lead you are testing via that method may not be getting grounded to the head.

 

That particular test is really not a great idea when you are testing a TCI ignition system.

 

I have Beekman i still get the same result I printed out that link im going to go through the steps on it. what will it cause the tci system to do k-moe?

 

There is the (high) potential to damage the TCI if there is an insufficient path to ground on the secondary side of the coil.

 

Well thats just great... so i guess im screwed then. So this brings me to my next question. can i use a 650 tci on my 550?

 

Does the bike crank over and how is your battery voltage while cranking? if your battery is marginal and the voltage drops under
10 volts its possible that you would not have any spark under those conditions.
Next is to find a wire diagram and test the side stand relay to see if it has power going through it for the ignition circuit.
Fitz is the 550 guy and he knows better than I do on how the power gets to the ignition circuit/TCI

 

Check the wire that comes from the pickup coils on the LEFT side of the engine to the TCI

 

Yes it cranks. I was reading a thread last night about the volts being to low causing no spark that is going to be the first thing i do is pull the battery and put it on a trickle charge.

 

i chased that wire everything looks good with it.

 

wiring diagram
http://frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

list of downloadable manuals
http://www.tradebit.com/filesharing.php/search/0/yamaha+xj550+factory+service

 

ok thanks. Hopefully with all this info i'm getting from everyone i cant track it down and start growing my hair back!

 

Juping to conclusions is not allowed. We have yet to be sure that the TCI is at fault. In fact we are very far away from reaching that conclusion.

Have you checked the primary and secondary resistances of the coils yet?

 

Haha ok. I've checked them im not sure witch one being primary or secondary it came out to 2 to 2.5

 

I wish one of you guys lived close enough to swing by and help me figure this out.

 

Have you checked spark plug caps they are a big issue on many bikes that old should be 5 k ohms !

 

The primary side is the small leads that feed the coils. Measure between them with the ohms scale set to x20.
The secondary side is measured between the spark plug wires on each coil. Set the ohms scale to x200.

 

ok what should they be?

 

Where are you at in Ohio? I'm wife/kid free next week.

 

From the xj4ever catalog (more than just a parts catalog)

Ignition Coils:

Primary side (input from main wiring harness):
2.5 ohms +/- 10% = 2.25 ohms - 2.75 ohms acceptable range

Secondary side (spark plug wires, without their end caps):
11K ohms +/- 20% = 8,800 ohms - 13,200 ohms acceptable range


Spark plug caps:
10K +/- 20% = 8,000 to 12,000 ohms per cap acceptable range

Spark plugs:
0 ohms per plug

 

To add to Beekman's post, if you measure the secondary side with the caps in place you need to take into account the individual cap resistance specs. 11k ohms + (10k x 2) = 31k ohms.

 

North of Dayton new Carlisle area

 

7 hr round trip is a bit too far for me

 

Yea I'd say haha. You live by cleavland? Also I checked coils and caps all good. I have my battery on the charger.

 

I got it!!!! She's alive!! I'm embarrassed to say it was my battery not having enough power but anyway thank you guys so much for all your help!

 

Ive been there haha the important thing is what you learned on the way!

 

I shouldn't have thought the worst from the get go. Although that battery isn't that old. :/

 

Yes one thing i have learned here is to slow down and not jump to conclusions. Often the principle of occams razor is applicable with these bikes... the simplest solution can often be the correct one!

 

All too often.....the battery is usually the culprit......

 

I haven't been able to ride her for about three months. It was driving me insane! It never crossed my mind to check the battery.

 

Not trying to be mean, but...

 

T

That's why i went ahead and threw it on charge while i went over everything with the multimeter.

 

At least you didn't waste any time by making sure the coils are in spec. One less thing to worry about.

 

What do you mean? i checked both primary and secondary on the coils while i was charging the battery.

 

I mean that checking them was a good thing to have done. You now have a working baseline of what the coil condition is should you have trouble in the future. This is no different than checking valve clearances to see where they are. It's all part of a good preventative maintenance program.

 

Oh ok i see what your saying now haha. i also have a spare set if i ever need them. I was a dummy and ordered them because i did research and evidently the guy didn't know what he was talking about.

 

He said if the coil dropped below 3.2 oms it was no good and to replace them.

 

I got it!!!! She's alive!! I'm embarrassed to say it was my battery not having enough power but anyway thank you guys so much for all your help!

Bobber,
The heart of your bike is the battery and charging system. Make sure you fill the battery with distilled water and slow charge it and test the voltage\
after charging. Then test the output of your charging system at or above 2000 rpm. You should be looking at least volts at that rpm range. I have seen one of my bikes at 14.8
A good healthy battery and charging system will make a lot of running and starting issues go away. Just remember lots of power the better the ignition works.

 

This should have been priority one. I have no clue as to why i didn't think of it.

 

Does anyone know where the alternator is located on my bike?

 

There is a big round cover on the left side just behind the #1 cylinder and above the shift lever cover. Behind that cover lies the alternator.

 

Ok thanks is there maintenance that is or should be done to it?

 

Mine looks kinda rough