Electrical problem

[Silk]

I am experiencing an electrical problem on my xs1100lg. ie. no spark at all. I may well be in the market for some spare electrical parts when I find out the cause (manual not arrived yet) So let me know if you have any bits hangin round your garage
Is the black ignition box transferable between all XS's ?

[dfrooney]

the ignition box is not transferable between ALL xs models...I beleive there are some that use the same one. There are two model number on the box, you need to match your old one to the new. Yamaha does not produce them anymore, so your only bet is to get a used one. I paid about $120 for one and found it was not the issue so I have an extra one: Type TID14-01...2H7-10

On a happier note...this is probably not your problem and should be the last thing you check. I had a problem with mine 2 summers ago...same thing, no spark, my wallet learned the hard way what order to check things. I started at the plugs and worked my way through the system step by step.
- replaced the plugs
- tested ignition coils/spark plug wires
- load tested battery
- checked every wire connection for breaks, corrosion, loose connections, fuses, etc.
I ended up with two possible culprits...the black box, and the pickup coil. I didn't know anything about pickup coils (still don't), so I was a little scared of it. I bought a replacement black box and that didn't help, so I was forced onto the pickup coil path. I took the left side cover off, looked at the coil, wondered what would happen if I cranked it while the cover was off...maybe I could see the problem. She started right up. I replaced the cover and haven't had a problem since. My guess is one of the wires was pinched or shorted somehow, but I'll never know.

If you can't figure it out, keep posting questions, I check the site all day while I'm working. Or feel free to send me an email directly. I'll help if I can.

dan
1980 XS11 Special

[John]

The black box will fit all models of XS except the 81, which uses one similar to the module on the 82-84 XJ 11. You say no spark at all? All four cylinders? Had it been running up to this point? Did you test to see if there is power to the coils on the orange/white wires with ignition on? During cranking? If yes, check the grey and brown wires from the coils to the cdi box. Using a test light, they should flash when cranking, and glow steadily when not cranking. Check at the starter solenoid. There is a wire that should have power at all times, as it is connected to the battery side of the solenoid.. According to my wiring diagram it should be orange/white, or red/white. hard to tell from my book. That should be the one that powers up the CDI. If you have power there, then check the ballast resistor. It is under the fuel tank on the left side frame rail. It is silver colored, and is long and thin. You can see it mounted just above the cylinder head. It should have power to it when ignition is on. Check both sides of it for power. It reduces the voltage to the coils when the engine is running. If it has power to it, but not through it, then bypass it, and check for voltage at the coils again. If you do have power to the coils, but the the test light doesn't flash at the grey or brown wires, then you may have a problem with the wires to the pick up coils located under the cover on the left side of the engine. Chances are that both wouldn't fail, or the wires to them would break at the same time, so I'd be more inclined to check for a bad/loose/ corroded connection some where. Check the connections at the cdi, and behind the fuse panel. That's where the connection for the pick up coils is.
Hope this helps. It should get you pointed in the right direction. Also, did you check the engine kill switch on the handlebars? Or the 'emergency kill switch' located under the tank, between the frame rails near the front of the frame? I believe it has the word "upper" on it. This switch will kill the engine if the bike is leaned over more than 60 degrees.
Good luck.

[Silk]

It has new battery new plugs.
had a look around wiring and found the emergency kill switch. this rattles like there is something loose in it. Is it supposed to? Also when I initially press the start button a loud "Tick" sound comes from the under the right hand side panel, the + side of the battery . This normal ? Sounds like a hefty relay to me.

[John]

The 'Tick' you hear is the starter solenoid, or relay, depending on what terminology you use. I don't think it should rattle, but I have never had to mess with one. Bypass it and check for spark again.

[Silk]

I presume that the kill switch can be bypassed by just unplugging it as it would seem logical that it is an open connection until leaned over 2 far thus making a circuit. Disconnected it. same problem :/

[dfrooney]

you are correct with the emergency kill switch...bike is upright, it's open, bike is at 60 degree angle or more, circuit is closed.

common problem for XS/XJ is the flexible wires in the centrifugal timing advance...I don't remember the details, maybe someone can post some advice on this?

[mitch]

Pick up wires

Yup, a lot of people have had to repair them ,there is a thread on that procedure in the maintenance and repair sections . The wires going to the pick ups tend to break from the flexing of the centrifucal advance. If they break you will loose power but most times it is intermittent, but that said they could still be the culprit. Check out the thread Silk ! NO the US bikes are not restricted to 85 miles per hour! Just the speedo reading only went that far. God knows whos bright idea that was but the cars were the same in that era lol. >>>>>MITCH

[scoobes]

i told you you would get good help of this site,make sure you get the haynes manual it is better than the clymer one

[Snow]

Originally posted by scoobes
i told you you would get good help of this site,make sure you get the haynes manual it is better than the clymer one

Isn't that like saying Pepsi is better than Coke?

[scoobes]

no,coke is better than pepsi,i know it is a personel choise but haveing both copies of the manuals i find the haynes one better.

[Silk]

/me is bidding for 1 on ebay.
btw. Do u guys use irc channel ?

[MartyA]

Silk, you did not mention whether the bike cranks and does not fire, or does not crank. Check fuses, fuse panel, take the starter relay wires off and really CLEAN the terminals. Check for loose connectors or grounded wire. Charge the battery. Good luck.

[Silk]

Take a bow guys
Waggled the wires on the centrifugal advance and it fired up straight away albeit a bit lumpy but the wires are obviously the culprit.

[John]

Pick up coil wiring

Find the posting describing how to locate the exact location and repair procedure here in XS11.com. I had to repair mine also, and that was before I found this place. Took me hours to figure it out. I'll bet you have a good knowledge of the ignition system by now. Good luck.