xs400 1978

[lee_dutcher]

having some trouble with this one.... it is a kick onle and the starter has been removed. but question is that i have only power to my main fuse (i converted to a spade) and none of the other three...ignition, signal, headlamp. i checked all the connections adn there all clean and no corrsion. im on the xs400 site but they dont respond to my questions very well like they do on cnl 11. thx for the input

[rpgoerlich]

From the key switch there are 2 connectors in the wiring harness between it and the fuse box. The first is probably in the headlight bucket. The other near the fuse box(my guess).

I'd start at the main fuse and check it all the way to the switch making sure you have voltage going to it. Then back out to the fuse block.

Got a wiring diagram?
Need one?

[lee_dutcher]

i got one from there site but i see it useless knowing the previose owner gutted the starting system....plus its super low quality scanned type...looks very blotchy and hard to read. but i got one from ebay i bought (sinister cycles) but i was thinking maybe it my coils but no telling till i find power to all the fuses. ill go thru with my test light and see....

[lee_dutcher]

k i started at the igniton and have power to the red (main) all the way thru. power to the blue all the way thru (tail lamp) but nothing from brown( signals) or red/ white (ignition) maybe a bad ignition switch?

[rpgoerlich]

Might just need to be taken apart and clean the contacts in it.

[lee_dutcher]

ok... so all 4 wire should be hot right?

[rpgoerlich]

From the looks of the wiring diagram for a 78XS400E, the Red is the hot going to the key switch, the brown/white comes back and feeds 2 10amp fuses and the red/white feeds another 10amp fuse. Only the blue wire is not hot when the key is turned on. Looks like its for the taillight and only comes on in the park position.



Then there was the 78XS400-2E...

[lee_dutcher]

thats what mine is a 2e.....

[rpgoerlich]

Here it is. Hope this helps.

[lee_dutcher]

thanks brother that helps out a bunch.... i checked out the wiring and everything seem to be correct. so what whould have to be bad in order for it to not get any spark? coils, points? i rebuilt the kill switch still kinda iffy but it works.... is it needed to have a rectifier and regulator? thanks for the responses

[cywelchjr]

You don't need to reg/rect to get spark, but with point the ignition system should be pretty simple. IIRC the coils are pretty simple to check, but I don't remember the primary and secondary resistances off the top of my head, but I'd start by making sure you have voltage to the primary side of the coils with the key on (one side should have voltage, the other may or may not depending on if the points are open or closed). If no voltage, then you need to trace back to where the voltage starts being there in the circuit. I've worked in electronics all my adult life and I hate electrical troubleshooting .

[rpgoerlich]

Check the Red/White at the coils with the key on and stop switch on. Have voltage?
If not I'd re-verify that stop/run switch. You could jump around it, then see if you have voltage at the coils with the key on.

[lee_dutcher]

ok ill do it tomorrow when i come hope from work....keep yea posted ill add some pics too to show yea what im working with

[lee_dutcher]

i think i got pinned down to te kill switch.... i took it a part and the 2 springs inside are just rust dust..lol.. so im going to have to wire it to a switch....next question... muric acid ate thru my petcock...lol. but was wondering if u thing the petcocks fromm all years would interchange...

[lee_dutcher]

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