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  • #1

    No Spark 1979 Standard

    Hi, it's been a while. The bike has been sitting for about 4 years after I gave up on the carbs. I purchased a set of carbs from a running bike and last I remember there was a backfire and the bike died. Fast forward to today. I dragged the bike out of the corner and checked it and there is no spark. I have done these tests so far. The battery was shot so I am using my cara battery. Voltage is staying above 10.5 while cranking.

    Ignition Coils: Primary Resistance 1.5 ohms at the connectors at the coils. Resistance at the Orange-Red/White and Grey-Red/White connectors in the 8 port plug are 1.8 ohms. Seconday Resistance on Coil #1&4 is 45000 ohms, Coil #2&3 is 32000 ohms. The caps by themselves each read 7500 ohms each. The Yellow/Green and Yellow/Red show 734 ohms and the White/Green and White/Red show 705 ohms. There was no variation of the reading when the wires were moved on the pickup coils. I had done the pickup coil repair in the past. I have no spark on any of the cylinders. I did resolder the Ignition Unit as a couple of the solder joints looked iffy. My guess at this point is Ignition Coils, however I am looking for guidance to not spend money needlessly. The ignition coils are original to the bike.

    Thanks for your help.
    1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
    1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
    1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    The coils should only be at about 15000 each so you are over double the resistance! Cut a little bit off the end of the plug wires and retest. If you still have the OEM coils you can cut out the old plug wires and test again if they still dont test good after clipping the end off. Follow this http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137

    Also the plug caps should only be at 5000 ohm, could try taking the resistor out and cleaning inside or just replace the caps.
    Nathan
    KD9ARL

    μολὼν λαβέ

    1978 XS1100E
    K&N Filter
    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
    OEM Exhaust
    ATK Fork Brace
    LED Dash lights
    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
    Green Monster Coils
    SS Brake Lines
    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

    Theodore Roosevelt

    Comment

    • #3
      I cut the ends and retested. I now have 24000 and 42000 on the coils with the ends attached. I got one spark out of the 24000 set. Nothing else after that. Should I just replace the coils and wires as a set?
      1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
      1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
      1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)

      Comment

      • #4
        I would guess the one is bad at least. I would suggest if you are trying to not spend money to follow this link http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137 and cur out the old plug wires altogether and test both coils at the connection inside the coil itself. That will certainly tell you for sure if the coils are good or bad. If they are good you can get new copper core plug wire and put it in and your good to go. If they are still bad at the internal connection then they need to be replaced.
        Nathan
        KD9ARL

        μολὼν λαβέ

        1978 XS1100E
        K&N Filter
        #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
        OEM Exhaust
        ATK Fork Brace
        LED Dash lights
        Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
        Green Monster Coils
        SS Brake Lines
        Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

        In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

        Theodore Roosevelt

        Comment

        • #5
          Thanks, I don't mind spending money. I don't want to buy parts I don't need, but I don't mind replacing defective or upgrading. I'll cut the coils and recheck them. Thanks.
          1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
          1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
          1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)

          Comment

          • #6
            Is that test results with the plug ends removed? I would remove the ends and test.

            There are several options to replacing coils. Mikes XS Green coils, Accell, Dyna, buy original ones used, or you can get Honda VF1000 coils, they are close to the same output as the Mikes Green, and Dyna or Accell.
            Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

            When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

            81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
            80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


            Previously owned
            93 GSX600F
            80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
            81 XS1100 Special
            81 CB750 C
            80 CB750 C
            78 XS750

            Comment

            • #7
              One more thing, did you check to see if there is power to the coils? I had a fuse with a bad connection do the same thing.

              It would turn over but there wasn't any spark.

              Also, check all your grounds where they hook up at the recifier mount bolt.
              Last edited by BA80; 06-11-2011, 02:27 PM.
              Greg

              Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

              ― Albert Einstein

              80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

              The list changes.

              Comment

              • #8
                Good News, theres fire in 4 holes. 2-3 Coil was fine. 1-4 had really bad wires. After removing the wires, it ohmed out in spec. Cleaned all connections even though I had voltage and correct resistance everywhere. Replaced wires on 1 & 4. Got the battery out of my truck becuase it was fresher than the car battery I was using. Checked and had good spark. I have to give the carbs a cleaning but it fired right up on starting fluid. Actually sounded good for the 1.3 seconds it ran. Now I'll pull the carbs after a congradulatory break.
                1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
                1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
                1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)

                Comment

                • #9
                  Well, even better news. After fixing the coils and a basic carb cleaning and reassembly, the bike roared to life today all on its own. It actually sounded pretty good. It feels a tad bit lean but good nonetheless. I have to balance the carbs and change the plugs. It sure felt good since its been nearly 4 years since it ran last. It has come close more than a few times to becoming a parts bike. I hope it gets even better from here.
                  1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
                  1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
                  1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Douglas Money View Post
                    ... the bike roared to life today all on its own.
                    That would be more than a little scary to me but I'm glad you got your bike running. Just stay out of its way or there could be trouble!
                    -- Scott
                    _____
                    ♬
                    2004 ST1300A: No name... yet
                    1982 XJ1100J: "Baby" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
                    1980 XS1100G: "Columbo" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
                    1979 XS1100SF: "Bush" W.I.P.
                    1979 XS1100F: parts
                    2018 Heritage Softail Classic 117 FLHCS SE: "Nanuk" It's DEAD, it's not just resting. It is an EX cycle.
                    ♬

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      You know I thought the same thing after I posted that. Kind of like Christine the car.
                      1979 XS1100F (runnin the wheels off it)
                      1979 XS650 (ran the wheels off it)
                      1976 CB550F (ran the wheels off it)

                      Comment

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