Electrical problem

[DianeinNM]

I know there's another electrical problem on this board, and I tried to read it, but it's mostly written in Greek or something.

Anyway, a week ago I rode my GZ250 to work, back home, no problems. This Thursday when I went to start it, it just went grr, grr. If I roll the throttle, then it just clicks. So I checked the battery charge--about 12.6 after several attempts. Put it on the charger overnight, no surprise it's the same Friday morning.

This morning I took out my owners manual and checked the spark plug. No spark. The manual says take it to the dealer, but I don't want to do that.

The service manual says to measure the battery voltage between input lead wires, but I don't know what that means. (Yeah, I know, it means take it to the dealer!) Then it all goes into Greek.

Can you help me? Thanks!

:-) Diane

[JWR]

The bike has to be turning over with the starter to check the spark.

Was the bike cranking over with the plug out???

[Water Warrior 2]

Might mention this in case you don't know. Always start the bike with the tranny in neutral. If you try to start it in gear there will always be a little drag through the clutch which might slow engine and starter just enough to make a difference. The starter draws as much power as it can and the ignition system will be half starved for power. This does not apply to a warmed up engine but a cold one that has been sitting at least overnight. The clutch plates try to stick together and grab a bit. The problem goes away once the bike is started. This also the reason you may get the odd clunk when you first shift into first gear at the beginning of the day. It is just the nature of motorcycles due to their design.

[mrlmd1]

You had on some choke when you tried to start it?

[alantf]

To check the spark, you must :-

Remove the spark plug.
Reattach the plug lead to the plug.
Hold the plug (threaded part) firmly to an earthed part of the bike, e.g. the metal near the plug hole. (taking care to hold only the insulation, as it's a HIGH voltage)
Switch on, and get someone to press the starter, while you watch the gap at the tip of the plug, for a spark. :)

[DianeinNM]

To check the spark, you must :-

Remove the spark plug.
Reattach the plug lead to the plug.
Hold the plug (threaded part) firmly to an earthed part of the bike, e.g. the metal near the plug hole. (taking care to hold only the insulation, as it's a HIGH voltage)
Switch on, and get someone to press the starter, while you watch the gap at the tip of the plug, for a spark. :)

Right. That's what I did, and there was no spark. I did have the bike in neutral starting it, and it did try to start, but there was no spark. Thanks for clarifying.

:-) Diane