I don't have spark. What should I check?
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:40 am
My Seca II doesn't have spark. What should I check?
The typical culprits for a no-spark condition are as follows (ranked by likelihood):
The clutch switch is located at the base of the clutch lever. This switch verifies that the clutch is pulled in to prevent the bike from lurching forward when starting. On 94+ models, the clutch must be pulled in when starting, regardless of whether the bike is in neutral. Test the clutch switch for continuity when the clutch is pulled in.
The neutral switch does two things; it triggers the neutral light on the instrument cluster and it lets the bike now when it is in gear. If the bike is placed in gear while the sidestand is down, it will kill the spark and stop the engine. Test the neutral switch for continuity to ground, when in neutral.
The kill switch stops the engine by killing the spark. Its a simple on-off switch. Test the kill switch by verifying continuity across it when in the "Run" position.
Test the coils by verifying resistances. Here is the coil test procedure.
If all of these switches check out and the resistances on the coils are correct, disconnect connectors and test your harness for continuity at the CDI and coils. If the wiring checks out, replace the CDI.
The typical culprits for a no-spark condition are as follows (ranked by likelihood):
- 1. Sidestand failure
2. Clutch switch failure
3. Neutral switch failure
4. Kill switch failure
5. Coil/ignition system break, short or failure
6. CDI box failure.
The clutch switch is located at the base of the clutch lever. This switch verifies that the clutch is pulled in to prevent the bike from lurching forward when starting. On 94+ models, the clutch must be pulled in when starting, regardless of whether the bike is in neutral. Test the clutch switch for continuity when the clutch is pulled in.
The neutral switch does two things; it triggers the neutral light on the instrument cluster and it lets the bike now when it is in gear. If the bike is placed in gear while the sidestand is down, it will kill the spark and stop the engine. Test the neutral switch for continuity to ground, when in neutral.
The kill switch stops the engine by killing the spark. Its a simple on-off switch. Test the kill switch by verifying continuity across it when in the "Run" position.
Test the coils by verifying resistances. Here is the coil test procedure.
If all of these switches check out and the resistances on the coils are correct, disconnect connectors and test your harness for continuity at the CDI and coils. If the wiring checks out, replace the CDI.