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It's another spark issue

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Onetrackstu, May 5, 2015.

  1. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    ok so custom wiring isn't anything new for me but I'm left scratching my head on this one. I'm pretty sure it's not getting any spark at all. I tested the coils and resistance is good but my two...(ok three) concerns are my wiring according to the diagram(attached), spark plug caps, and the tci unit. Any help as usual is greatly appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
    is it the same as this? print it and mark each wire as you check it. never overlook the obvious and take nothing for granted
     
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  3. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    Looks almost exact I might be missing the ground on the tci.
    Edit: I just realized I checked that today:(
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2015
  4. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    Waiting for the chacal/heavy hitters chime-in...:)
     
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Have you checked the coil resistances? Plug cap resistances? Wires for ground faults? Ignition pickups?
     
  6. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    What's the resistance supposed to be on the plug caps? Coils and ignition pick ups seem to look good in terms of resistance. Grounds seem to be good even though that has been a problem before.
     
  7. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    5K ohms each +/- 20%

    Well, either the plugs are sparking or they ain't! Have you pulled a plug, grounded it to the head, and cranked? Any blue sparks, even teeny-tiny ones? If not, you've got to start tracing wiring back from there and make sure things are correct per the above (proper) diagram.
     
  8. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    Looks like the caps might be the issue of no spark. Some are giving 5k in resistance, one much higher, and one not at all. I guess it doesn't hurt to order new ones. Expect an update tuesday.
     
  9. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    Still no spark so probably the tci unit. Anybody have a spare one?
     
  10. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    So I'm thinking it might be the coils, what do you guys think?
     
  11. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Could be a bad wire connection to the cap(s)......the cap has an internal "spike" that pierces and screws (literally) into the center of the plug wire (the actual metal conductor wire at the center).....might want to unscrew the caps from their wires, cut a 1/4" of wire off the end, and re-install the caps, giving you some nice, tight, juicy and fresh wire for that spike to, umm, penetrate.........
     
  12. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    So a little circumcision and then test :D
     
  13. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Eggs-actly! Although it's really a little more Lorena-Bobbit "guillotine" action rather than a straight circumcision........
     
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  14. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    ouch :eek: poor xj
     
  15. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    So after going through some wires I found a bad ground(now fixed) and an additional wire that was not hooked up correctly. Now both primary and secondary coils appear to have resistance(see attached) but alas no spark. The pickup coils have the correct resistance too. I'm left scratching my head. I'm sure it by now it has to be the tci unit.

    Just to recap:
    -New spark
    -Resistance good on pick up coils and stator
    -Wiring appears correct, continuity good, and grounds connected
     

    Attached Files:

  16. ScrapYardHero

    ScrapYardHero New Member

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    I had a similar issue and it ended up involving the clutch safety switch and the kickstand safety switch. The circuits those would be connected to need to be completed then the igniter should come back to life. These kind of look rather generic for wiring diagrams so I'm not even sure your model has the kickstand and clutch safety but, worth a shot I guess.
     
  17. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    Yeah those aren't even hooked up. I bypassed all the switches and relays. Are they supposed to be hooked up if I simplified the entire harness?
     
  18. ScrapYardHero

    ScrapYardHero New Member

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    I mean as long as the ignition box is seeing what it's supposed to be seeing volt wise then bypassing shouldn't be an issue. If there's any spare (unused) pins coming off the igniter, that may be an issue. I need to get my book back and I might be able to see what the volts at the pins are supposed to be.
     
  19. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    there is also the neutral saftey switch and of course the sidestand relay and diode block.

    this link while not for your bike tells how to disable the sidestand, clutch, and neutral safety switches. scroll over the component with your mouse.
    http://frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

    relay test
    http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/how-to-test-a-relay.6809/#post-57590
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2015
  20. Onetrackstu

    Onetrackstu Member

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    What should the black/white wire coming out of the tci be connected to?
     

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