no spark man no spark

hello fellas just got my self a project a week ago 80 650 maxim, pretty good for 150$ clean the carb this morning hooked up the car battery to the starter got pretty good compression, but the bike came with a dead battery and its dead as in just gone. no park when the starter is turning, what should i check next. PS: where is the oil filler bolt on this bike.

 

oh yeah just wanna say im a total motorcycle newbie, so hope all you fellow xj veterans can help a brother out thanks.

 

Got a manual?

Got a multimeter?

You're going to need both.

You need to trace the ignition circuit and find out what's bad. I'd start with checking connections for corrosion since the headlight is missing.

Your oil filter bolt is 12mm dead center in the front of the motor right above the 19mm drain plug.

 

yeah i got a manual but no miltimeter

 

you should be able to test sparks by just ground the spark to the block and check for spark when you turn the starter motor right?

 

You can leave the Plug in and just use another spare, loose Plug.
Pull the Plug Cap.
Put-in the Spare Plug.
Ground it to the Head.
Crank and look for Spark.

 

Yes but it's a lot more fun using wet hands. LOL Welcome to the site!

 

lol yeah i'll tell my brother to try that.

 

you can check for spark as Rick mentioned. If you have none a multimeter will really be needed to find out why.

You can get a digital one at a harbor freight for $6 or an autoparts store for around $20.

 

yeah just did what rick said all 4 sparkplugs no spark, they dont look too bad but they are pretty black, what would cause all spark to go out, wiring? distributor?

 

-wiring (just going by the photo.)

-fusebox

-SAFETY circuit (safety relay, neutral switch, clutch switch, sidestand switch and sidestand relay if so equipped.)

-weak battery

The oil filler is on the top of the clutch housing on the RH side of the bike; there is an oil level window on the lower portion of the same cover.

There is no distributor. Your bike has TCI ignition, and each coil fires two plugs.

 

yeah i guess i should strip down all the wires to check if they are good, im going to get a multimeter to check if all the components are working if i find out how to do that first.

 

Does the service manual tells you how to use the multimeter to check for faulty components?

 

Yes. The factory book is better at it but the answer is yes.

 

hey, i have same prob everything checks out except secondary resisstence on both coils i have none. primary is 2.5 also the guy before me took fuse box out and hooked everything together,would that burn out tci or coils any sugg would be great thanks 81 550

 

i will take some pictures tomorrow because i dont really know anything about motorcycle maybe you guys can see the problems better than i can

 

You have to check the Secondary Resistance at the End of the Spark Plug Wire ---> Without Plug Caps.

Push the Probes up into the Spark Plug Wires.

 

Also if you add your location to your account details or just post where you are someone maybe close by to help you.

 

thx done.

 

is there any key items i should check i know i gotta ckeck the pick up coils but i dont think power is going through the coils what would cause that?

 

Go to:
Square One.
Meter or Test Light.
+12V at Main & Ign Fuse ... Y/N
No ... Test Batt and Fuse Panel
Yes ... +12V at RED Wire to Ign Switch
>> Open Headlight Bucket ... Disconnect Ign. Sw. Pigtail ... Test RED Wire on Harness for +12 V
RED Wire +12V ... Y/N
No ... Short between Fuse Panel and Pigtail
Yes ... Jumper - Red & Brown & Blue Wire All-3 > Together.
Listen & Feel for Relay to Close. Y/N
Y ... Try to Start Bike
N ... Bad Relay
(Y -- Bike Starts = Bad Ign. Sw.)
(N-- No Start = Ign Sw or Relay Bad <> Test Both.

Y -- Relay Closes / No Start
Test for +12V at Coils and Solenoid

 

just tested the coils, the red and black for both coils read 2.5ohms and the spark plugs all read 11.5k ohms, does that seems all right? if so what other problem could cause no spark since the coils are working, maybe i should get a battery first.

 

Your Coils Spec-out correctly.

Now, you need to find-out why they aren't firing.

NO Spark usually points to an OPEN Relay or Switch with the Safety Circuitry.

The Sidestand "sticks"
The Clutch "jams"

You can pull the Safety Relay and try it ...
The Bike must be in Neutral to start.

 

does the sidekick stand needs to be up in order for the bike to start? and where can i find the safety relay, and when you say "pull" you mean just remove it or just jump it with a wire.

 

I think its right behind the Turn Signal Canceling Unit.

No jumpers.

Just Unplug it and be in Neutral.
Try it and see if it pops.

 

i don't think your sidestand switch would be causing your problems. a faulty sidestand switch will cause the bike to die once you put it in gear.

as long as you're in neutral, the sidestand switch plays no role.

a search for "safety circuit bypass" might get you in the right direction . . .
but before i start bypassing safety circuits, i'd check for a bad connection somewhere.

i'd be highly suspect of the fuse panel as they're prone to going bad in these bikes.

found a pretty thorough ignition troubleshooting guide here: ignition trouble shooting

 

yeah going to wally world tomorrow to get a battery 35 bux!!! and gonna remove the safety relay just because i think its not going to help the bike anyway, will keep you guys updated, btw thank you all so much for help me

 

Don't remove the Safety Ralay.

Seems like an innocent thing to do, ... right?
You stall it ... you need to shift into NEUTRAL to restart it!

Try doing that with some angry skinhead needing a fix, sweating the load, laying on the horn, cursing you over a PA System, late for his swearing-in, initiation and induction tattooing to the Underground Nazi Party,

 

lol wow i dont really know how the safety relay works, so if u can explain it to me that be great.

 

That safety switch allows you to start the bike in gear by pulling the clutch lever.

 

wow did not know that, this changes everything, keeping it

 

due to lack of money and school starting the project is on hold for now, but i will try to work on it on the weekends as much as i can, one day this will be a kick ass bobber