TOPIC:

I just started school, and didnt have the money to order a new clutch cable right away after mine broke two weeks back. Over the two weeks the bike (79 kz 650) sat under a small porch but still got pretty soaked, I'm in florida and we've been getting pretty wet lately. I finally got the new cable but now there is no spark from the plugs, and no spark when laying a screwdriver on the head and putting the end against the inside of the plug boot. I let the battery charge for 12 hours so it should have enough juice for it to spark. Any ideas on where I should start? The fuses are also intact.
Thanks,
Ed

I would try and dry the areas that concern the ignition, the coil area, and the points. Try WD40. Shoot some in the ignition switch and the handlebar controls.
Are you getting lights, horn, etc?

check the voltahe to the coils first, then work back from there, sounds to me like a bad connection so also clean all of them

How do you check voltage at the coils? not from the spark cables, but from the wires to the points, right? I have lights horn and the starter turns over pretty fast. I should just be getting 12volts there, right?

Measure right at the coil, where the power wire connects on the coil, and a ground.

How any volts should I read? I can't find my manual anywhere... again..

CptEDIV wrote:

How any volts should I read? I can't find my manual anywhere... again..

Same as voltage across battery terminals.

Yeeeah I reread that and then thought about it, it isn't until after the coil that the voltage goes up. And you can't read that with a voltmeter because its too high a voltage. But you don't need to check voltage as long as you know there is or isn't spark at the plug... Ok gunna try all this and get back to you guys. Thanks. I should read battery voltage at the points if the keys turned on also, right?

-Ed

Even if there is spark at the plug it does not mean the coil has 12v or more. A coil can spark at less then 12v but the engine won't run well. Just measure the wires at the coil, (not the spark plug wires). When you find your manual you can measure the coil ohm's and go from there. You can also measure the spark plug wires and the plug caps, it should all be in the book.

At the points to ground I am getting 11.1 Volts. Is that enough to operate the coil and spark the plug?
I'm getting 11.1 at the coil, and at the points, on both sides. 12 volts across the battery. So the problem should be somewhere before the coils? Thanks

Does your bike have the IC Igniter in the ignition circuit? The connector may have corrosion on the plug or socket.

The ignitor may be in an aluminum package with the words" IC IGNITER" on the side . It will have cooling fins and two cables comming from it. Check them for corrosion.

Could the battery be putting out 12volts, but not be any good? Last time the bike sat for awhile I had to replace the battery, it tried to turn over and I had lights and all but wouldn't start till I put in a new one.