Hit a wall with the ignition circuit.

DaddyMav · 01-20-2009, 11:15 AM

So I got a 2000 GZ250 for a trade. The speedo shows 760 miles and it looks pretty clean all in all. The PO said that it hasn't run in a while and just needed a carb cleaning and battery. So I get the bike home without it running (Dumb move, I know) and clean out the carbs, check the oil, change the gas, replace the plug and put in a new battery. The bike now turns over but wont start. After going through the motions I now found out that there is no spark. There was at one point though. It seems as though I have an intermittent spark problem. Actually got it back at one point and gone again. I think I may have traced it back to the CDI which I took to the junkyard where they tested on a good bike and it was bad. Got a new CDI and still no spark.

I tried the test for the coil that is shown in the manual last night and I'm not getting any ohm reading out of the spark plug wire so I think that may be bad also. Is there something that I'm missing on this? Is there a way for me to check for voltage from the o/w and white wires that go to the coil? Is there something else that may be burning up my ignition system that is just going to keep burning through parts if I replace them?? This is frustrating.

Easy Rider · 01-20-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyMav

Is there something else that may be burning up my ignition system that is just going to keep burning through parts if I replace them?? This is frustrating.

Welcome! Sorry you have so much "baggage" to drag along with you.

I can't offer much in the way of technical advice, since it seems that you have a pretty good handle on what needs to be done.

Good luck; I think you will need some.

P.S. Never, NEVER buy a vehicle that is not running.......unless it is for spare parts or you actually enjoy pain and frustration. :roll:

stomper · 01-20-2009, 12:59 PM

If the plug wire is showing as open when ohm testing replace it.if the wire is broken then this can create a large gap and can lead to coil failure. it sounds like you are on the right path

DaddyMav · 01-21-2009, 09:58 PM

Okay, Let's start from here then because I don't know the least about these bikes.
I've read that there are two inline kill switch mechanisms for the ignition, the kickstand switch and the clutch switch. I've got some questions for you.
A) What do these switches do? (i.e. cut off the starter? Cut off the ignition? Should I be getting a spark?)
B) What would I be looking for in the wires that lead to the coil? (should there be a charge between the wires? When? should there be a charge between a wire and the ground/frame?)
C) If all else fails, how much paper do you think this bike could effectively be a weight for?

Easy Rider · 01-21-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyMav

Okay, Let's start from here then because I don't know the least about these bikes.

Taking that statement at face value, have you considered taking it to a proper shop ......where they DO know a bit about bikes ??? :??:

The safety switches you mention prevent the starter from turning; the sidestand switch and the kill-switch also kill the ignition.

DaddyMav · 01-22-2009, 10:05 AM

Well that is just silly talk. This is actually just a little project bike for me and my roommate to get running. I already have my daily ride in the form of a '94 Virago 1100. This is just a toy to play around with. Thank you for the input on the switches. I think I may start there because I did get a spark at one point. Figure I might as well check those switches as long as I'm going through things. It's typically my luck that I would replace the entire ignition circuit and then find out it was a bad switch. Thank you, I'll be back for more once I get a little tooling time this weekend.

Easy Rider · 01-22-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyMav

It's typically my luck that I would replace the entire ignition circuit and then find out it was a bad switch.

Don't want to mislead you here. I do not "think" that a simple failure of any of the safety switches will allow the starter to run but at the same time disable the ignition. Now a failure of a relay or broken/loose wire.....maybe.
If you don't have one already, I think you will need a shop manual to proceed.
I believe one is available on here.

Water Warrior 2 · 01-22-2009, 06:30 PM

Sounds like the ignition switch or kill switch on the bar. From what has been said it is a hit and miss sort of thing that could be caused by corrosion in one or both switches. As already suggested, the service manual will be your best friend at this point to trace the entire electrical system.

DaddyMav · 01-23-2009, 10:24 AM

Well, there has been progression. I do have a manual for it. That was at the top of my list before I started pulling the bike apart. I've tracked down the fault to a loose spark plug cap. There was a bad connection between the wire and the cap which didn't complete the circuit. Now I have spark but still not running. Time for some more tinkering. I'll be back later today with some more questions for the brain vault here. Thanks again.

01-20-2009, 11:15 AM	#1
DaddyMav Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 8	Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. So I got a 2000 GZ250 for a trade. The speedo shows 760 miles and it looks pretty clean all in all. The PO said that it hasn't run in a while and just needed a carb cleaning and battery. So I get the bike home without it running (Dumb move, I know) and clean out the carbs, check the oil, change the gas, replace the plug and put in a new battery. The bike now turns over but wont start. After going through the motions I now found out that there is no spark. There was at one point though. It seems as though I have an intermittent spark problem. Actually got it back at one point and gone again. I think I may have traced it back to the CDI which I took to the junkyard where they tested on a good bike and it was bad. Got a new CDI and still no spark. I tried the test for the coil that is shown in the manual last night and I'm not getting any ohm reading out of the spark plug wire so I think that may be bad also. Is there something that I'm missing on this? Is there a way for me to check for voltage from the o/w and white wires that go to the coil? Is there something else that may be burning up my ignition system that is just going to keep burning through parts if I replace them?? This is frustrating. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-20-2009, 12:59 PM	#3
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: charlestown in Posts: 5	Re: Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. If the plug wire is showing as open when ohm testing replace it.if the wire is broken then this can create a large gap and can lead to coil failure. it sounds like you are on the right path Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-21-2009, 09:58 PM	#4
DaddyMav Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 8	Re: Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. Okay, Let's start from here then because I don't know the least about these bikes. I've read that there are two inline kill switch mechanisms for the ignition, the kickstand switch and the clutch switch. I've got some questions for you. A) What do these switches do? (i.e. cut off the starter? Cut off the ignition? Should I be getting a spark?) B) What would I be looking for in the wires that lead to the coil? (should there be a charge between the wires? When? should there be a charge between a wire and the ground/frame?) C) If all else fails, how much paper do you think this bike could effectively be a weight for?
	0

01-22-2009, 10:05 AM	#6
DaddyMav Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 8	Re: Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. Well that is just silly talk. This is actually just a little project bike for me and my roommate to get running. I already have my daily ride in the form of a '94 Virago 1100. This is just a toy to play around with. Thank you for the input on the switches. I think I may start there because I did get a spark at one point. Figure I might as well check those switches as long as I'm going through things. It's typically my luck that I would replace the entire ignition circuit and then find out it was a bad switch. Thank you, I'll be back for more once I get a little tooling time this weekend.
	0

01-22-2009, 06:30 PM	#8
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. Sounds like the ignition switch or kill switch on the bar. From what has been said it is a hit and miss sort of thing that could be caused by corrosion in one or both switches. As already suggested, the service manual will be your best friend at this point to trace the entire electrical system.
	0

01-23-2009, 10:24 AM	#9
DaddyMav Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 8	Re: Hit a wall with the ignition circuit. Well, there has been progression. I do have a manual for it. That was at the top of my list before I started pulling the bike apart. I've tracked down the fault to a loose spark plug cap. There was a bad connection between the wire and the cap which didn't complete the circuit. Now I have spark but still not running. Time for some more tinkering. I'll be back later today with some more questions for the brain vault here. Thanks again.
	0

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