1979 xs1100s ignition issue

[BA80]

Take a plug and connect it to the SP wire, each 1 at a time, hold the body of the plug against the finns to ground it and turn over the engine. It should spark.

You might get a little jolt but that'll just get your heart restarted.

[dondons1984]

I was told not to do that. That I can fry my coils.

[BA80]

Bull****!

[jwhughes3]

I was told not to do that. That I can fry my coils.

I think they are confused. What greg describes is exactly what the plug in your bike is or should be doing.

Running one wire loose and another connected will potentially damage your coils.

John

[BA80]

I think they are confused. What greg describes is exactly what the plug in your bike is or should be doing.

Running one wire loose and another connected will potentially damage your coils.

John

I've never damaged one and I've never heard of one being damaged that way during a test like this. It would have to be run that way for an extended time to even POTENTIALLY damage one.

[dondons1984]

On so I just did the plug test and I got nothing. No jolt no spark nada. So what now? Please don't say new coils

[BA80]

Check all of you connectors from the pickups on up to the TCI and everything in between. Be sure all are clean and are making good contact. especially those behind the fuse panel. The same with all the fuses.

9 times out of 10 it's simply a bad connection somewhere.

There are bullet connectors at the coils also and if that isn't the issue try unplugging the tip over switch. Coil connections and tip over are under the tank.

[dondons1984]

OK I am going to do that. You keep saying tci but what is that? Where is it located?

[BA80]

OK I am going to do that. You keep saying tci but what is that? Where is it located?

Transistor Controlled Ignition ( TCI )

The black box under the seat.

[dondons1984]

OK the connections look fine and the board looks brand new

[dondons1984]

OK the connections look fine and the board looks brand new

OK so this is going to sound retarded but when I go to start the oil light is on and then when I crank it goes off

[BA80]

That's OK. When you crank it the oil pump is pumping and the oil pressure kicks off the light. Normal.

At the coil connections there is an orange wire going to one coil and a gray wire going to the other. You should have voltage to both of those wires with the ignition on.

[dondons1984]

OK what am I setting my multimeter to to check that? Also how do I bench test the coils? I don't wanna buy new coils if I can avoid it.

[BA80]

Just check for voltage right now, don't go to thinking about bad coils.

It should be at least at or near 12v and stay above 10.5 while cranking the engine.

[dondons1984]

OK so I setmy multi meter two bolts or ohms?