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81 XJ 550 SECA not getting spark

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mk2mafia, Oct 4, 2013.

  1. mk2mafia

    mk2mafia New Member

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    Hey all, I'm new here. I posted this before, but posted it in the wrong location. Sorry for the noob mistake!

    Anyway, I bought a salvage 81 xj550 to bring back to life. I ended up scrapping the original wiring harness as it was trashed. I have been making a custom wiring harness from the diagram and simplifying it. I am not getting spark. I removed my coils, and one of them is good for sure, but I think the other is bad. I am making an industrialized cafe of sorts, and it didn't come with a tank. I will be welding one together from a design of my own shortly, but want to get it running first. Having said that, I don't have to fit stock coils. I would like to know if there is a better option for coils that the stock ones. I know the starter is good and just rebuilt it. It cranks great. New battery. When I hooked up the ignition coils straight to the battery I could get spark to one of the coils, but when the coils are wired through the ignition module, (Ignitor?) I can't get anything. I am not getting voltage when the key is in the "on" position, and when it cranks, I get .15 volts. I know this is not good. Is my ignitor trash? Or could it be something else? Is there a way you can test it, or is checking voltage the test? What are my options for getting an aftermarket/universal ignition? I will be getting new coils, but I don't really want to spend 150 bucks on a used ignitor... Could my pickups be bad and cause that to not get voltage? How do you test those? This is my first bike build, but I am very mechanically and electrically inclined. Thoughts? Also, my regulator/rectifier would have nothing to do with getting spark, right? It simply aids in returning power to the battery. Is this correct? I will fill out my bio soon, but haven't had a lot of time lately.

    Info about my bike:
    Rebuilt and re-jetted carbs (up 2 sizes to match filters and exhaust)
    pod filters (the stock airbox was junk, and I wanted more flow)
    4 into 2 custom exhaust
    New wiring harness, with LED lights
    Soon to be new tank and tailpiece with integrated seat
    Clubman bars with Ninja 300 controls/master cylinder
    Brakes are being rebuilt
    Frame was stripped and some cutting/welding to shorten the rear end
    Engine is stock, as is tranny and I plan to leave it that way, as is suspension
    New tires
    New chain and sprockets are being ordered
    New cables
    Bike will have no gauges, except for a speedo down the line and maybe a tach when it gets running

    Yes, I know making one of these into a cafe or bobber is kind of a crime, but it was a salvage bike in ROUGH shape. Didn't come with the tank, farings/cowl, gauges or stock seat, so I said why not? Let me know what your thoughts are, I would love to hear them. Like I said, new at this. Thanks.
     
  2. zombiehouse

    zombiehouse Member

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    I would save some time and frustration and just source a stock wiring harness. Your problem could be caused by a connection anywhere in your system. Once you know your wiring is good it will be easier to track your problem if it still even exists. You may have also neglected to include the safety circuit portion of the wiring.
     

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