No Spark!!!!

Hello guys,
I have recently acquired an '85 maxim-x, and it doesn't have spark on any cylinders. I do not have a volt meter to check if coils are bad. It appears the bike has been outside, but not extensively. Any suggestions of common remedies?

 

Hmmm... Not much to go on. I would start by checking your side stand switch to see if it is making good connection. Also, check your fuses. Matter of fact, I would check the fuses first.

Electrical problems can take time and patience to troubleshoot. Also, do you have a good battery connected?

 

Take your time and check every electrical connection. A good wire diagram and a service manual is in your future.

MN

 

I have recently acquired an '85 Maxim-x 700. It's such a nice looking machine, I couldn't turn it down for $100. Anyway, I first check for spark, and there is nothing on any of the cylinders with fresh plugs. I back tracked the wires and checked for corrosion and cleaned all I could. NOTHING!! I don't have a voltage meter, but I was hoping for some "tricks of the trade" trouble shooting techniques. Any suggestions?

 

Check the battery, the coils and the fuse box side stand relay. And did you mean to make more than one post?

 

I didn't mean to make multiple posts, but the machine does turn over and all the fuses appear to be good. It currently is on its center stand. I am not sure as to how I can check the coils without a meter.

 

Wouldn't the bike still have spark if the side stand was down? So, I should go through ALL connections for corrosion?

 

Get a meter. You'll need it for other things anyway. You should be able to get a decent digital multimeter for $40 or less.

Edit: actually this $25 one would be fine -> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=37772

 

Here's a dirt cheap
ONE.

 

You can get a $25 multimeter at radioshack. Even less for a analog one at walmart I think.

I assume you are trying to start in neutral. if not- try it.
if it gets spark in neutral- a) your neutral switch is ok b) your sidestand is the problem.

if you get in neutral without the light coming on, you either have a dead bulb or your neutral switch is dirty/bad.

how about the kill switch...if its engaged, turn it off lol. if not, try wiggling it on/off while checking for spark too.

best have a charger on the battery while you do all this testing so you don't kill it, and don't run your starter more than 10seconds without time to cool inbetween.

 

Ok here we go, If you have a bit of wire you can do a quicky test. What you'll want to do is unplug one of the coils--doesn't matter which one--and run two jumper wires to it from the battery. One wire going to the positive terminal, one going to the negative terminal. Hook the positive wire to the Red/White wire, the negative wire you'll hook to the other wire (this wire may be gray or orange... I don't remember). Note: these connections are to the coil's connector, not to the wiring harness on the bike.

You'll then unscrew one of the plugs that this particular coil fires and set it on the head in such a way as to have it grounded and have the gap visible so you can see the spark jump the gap. Have the coil wire connected to it, too.

When everything is situated the way you like it, hook the positive wire to the battery. With the negative wire in hand, momentarily ground it to the negative battery terminal, then pull it away. When you do, you should see a spark jump across the spark plug gap. Repeat this several times to make sure the coil fires every time. The spark should be a bright white/blue color, too. A yellow spark means you've either got a weak coil or a low battery. No spark means a bad coil. Repeat the above instructions on the other coil.

Let us know what happens.

P.S. buy a mutimeter

 

Your thinking it may be coil issues? I'll meter the machine to try and narrow it down. I think this bike is going to be fast and fun to ride. It maybe a wise investment, someone already offered me $500.

 

I have tried the kill switch, and neutral thing in my brainstorming process, it seems like it is in the ignition somewhere. I like the idea of jumping the coil for spark, it seems quick and easy, thanks. I'm so stoked to get it running, cause my only investment is $100 for the bike and $5 dollars in gas to pick it up.

 

Well the coils are just a place to start it could still be something else, like the battery, side stand relay, Or the fuse box. If you still have the original glass fuses get rid of that thing. That could be the problem right there. Let me know and I show you a cheap way of replacing. Also don't sell it quite just yet. Once it we get it running it will be worth more than 500 and a little spit shine. Oh and my last post is just something you can try since you don't have a multimeter just yet. But get one ASAP it make working on electric so much easier.

Good Luck and let us know,
Joshua

 

Thanks a lot guys for your time, and I'll keep in touch!!

P.S.- the meter is on the list!!!

 

No problem, just keep us posted.