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I'm going crazy!!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Xj Bobber, Jul 13, 2015.

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  1. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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??
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 13, 2015
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  2. Beekman

    Beekman XJ Grasshopper

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    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)
     
    Beekman, Jul 13, 2015
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  3. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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.
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 13, 2015
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  4. Rooster53

    Rooster53 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    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/
     
    Rooster53, Jul 13, 2015
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  5. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    Would that work for the screw driver test?
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 13, 2015
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  6. Beekman

    Beekman XJ Grasshopper

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    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?)
     
    Beekman, Jul 13, 2015
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  7. Beekman

    Beekman XJ Grasshopper

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    Read the link rooster posted, it gives explicit steps to test if no spark on all 4
     
    Beekman, Jul 13, 2015
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  8. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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.
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  9. Beekman

    Beekman XJ Grasshopper

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    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.
     
    Beekman, Jul 14, 2015
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  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    That particular test is really not a great idea when you are testing a TCI ignition system.
     
    k-moe, Jul 14, 2015
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  11. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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?
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  12. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    There is the (high) potential to damage the TCI if there is an insufficient path to ground on the secondary side of the coil.
     
    k-moe, Jul 14, 2015
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  13. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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?
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2015
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  14. MN-Maxims

    MN-Maxims St. Paul Minnesota

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    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
     
    MN-Maxims, Jul 14, 2015
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  15. jamings67

    jamings67 Member

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    Check the wire that comes from the pickup coils on the LEFT side of the engine to the TCI
     
    jamings67, Jul 14, 2015
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  16. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    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.
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  17. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    i chased that wire everything looks good with it.
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  18. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    XJ550H, Jul 14, 2015
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  19. Xj Bobber

    Xj Bobber Member

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    ok thanks. Hopefully with all this info i'm getting from everyone i cant track it down and start growing my hair back!
     
    Xj Bobber, Jul 14, 2015
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  20. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    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?
     
    k-moe, Jul 14, 2015
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