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xs650 > > Motorcycle Systems > > Electrical > > weak power coming to spark plugs


weak power coming to spark plugs
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dustin.kerber
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Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Fargo, ND

PostPosted: May 17, 2006, 10:57 pm    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

Thanks Phred. I was planning on trying that out tomorrow, but i wasnt sure if i would mess anything up by not having it plugged in. I will give it a try tomorrow and post the results.
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dustin.kerber
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Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Fargo, ND

PostPosted: May 18, 2006, 11:08 am    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

Well, I disconnected the alternator so that I had full voltage to my coils. I tested each side and.... no change in spark.... It is still so weak that I can barely get anything by putting a screwdriver into the plug cap and holding it ~1mm from the engine.

Back to square one. In a way, I am almost relieved, because now I know it is a component in the ignition system, and not wiring or some other electrical component.

Let me recap on the state of the ignition system components.

plugs - clean
condensor pack - new (could be faulty new ones, but I find it hard to believe that both condensors in the new pack would be bad)
left coil - new from mikesxs.com
right coil - old but worked fine up to point of bike dying
points - not burnt or pitter, testing 0 ohm from each incoming wire to engine when closed
plug wires and caps - new

I am also going to ordering some new points and plugs.

Thanks to you guys for taking such a personal interest in this... This site and you have been what really made me a fan of this bike, even if doesn't work.
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Phred
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Joined: Sep 11, 2005
Posts: 110
Location: St. Louis, MO metro area

PostPosted: May 19, 2006, 1:42 am    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

When I first fired up my bike after hauling it home, I hooked a battery straigt to the ignition, actually rode it around the block with the battery duct-taped to the frame where the battery box used to be! Mine was pretty easy since most of the harness had been hacked up, so I just ditched what was left-simplifies troubleshooting.
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"Phred"
'75 "Project YamaHog" or "Project Yamabob" or my wife's favorite "pile of crap in the garage"
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Wulf
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Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 215
Location: Augusta, Georgia

PostPosted: May 23, 2006, 6:23 pm    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

Hey Dustin, any luck yet with the bike?
Wulf

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If it ain't in the air, sliding sideways, or knee draggin', it ain't racing!
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dustin.kerber
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Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Fargo, ND

PostPosted: May 24, 2006, 1:19 am    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

Havent had much chance to try in the last couple days. The cam chain tensioner cap imploded when I attempted to take it off... I am guessing that the last owner torqed on it with a wrench... Besides a junk yard, any idea where I could get a replacement, being as the part was discontinued?
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jayel
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Joined: Apr 16, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: SE Iowa 1974 TX650A

PostPosted: May 24, 2006, 8:40 am    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

see what voltage you get by jumping around the handlebar kill switch, if it's dirty you'll have weak or no spark
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all it takes is time and money -- Where are we going and why are we in this hand basket?
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dustin.kerber
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Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Fargo, ND

PostPosted: June 1, 2006, 6:25 pm    Post subject: Re: weak power coming to spark plugs

well... i just got done riding... yes... riding.... WAHOOOOOO!

I replaced the points and it did the trick. The funny part is that the old ones tested good and had perfect contact faces with correct gaps. I put the new ones in, though, and it fired right up. With all of the work I have done on it, carbuerator rebuilds and such, it is running better than ever before! Thank you to everyone who helped!
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