1981 Suzuki GS550L Ignition issue

[Pappy]

First off thanks for taking the time to read this. Any help is appreciated.
The bike listed above is my wife's bike. She loves it! We bought it not too long ago.
We just lost ignition on #1, #4 cylinders. I understand that can be from one of the coils.
This bike has the factory signal generators on it, no points.
Was looking to go to a Dyna ignition but not sure what to order?
Would like to update to new wires and caps as well. Would there be a change in spark plugs ?
Have not begun to troubleshoot the issue.
I did do my homework in here to determine what I would need depending on the ignition/points style or manufacturer but opened up the cover and ...... no points!


keyboard test software online

 

[tom203]

You want the Dyna S......but you need to determine if you have the stock ND or KD ignitor setup...look for markings on ignitor box and/or signal coil plate

 

[Steve]

Tom, did they have different ignitor setups? I know they had different points systems, but I have been under the (possibly mis-guided) impression that all the electronic systems were the same.

Pappy, while the Dyna is a good system, you might not need it. Do a bit of troubleshooting first to determine the cause of the failure. It might be as simple as a loose connector or broken wire between the signal generators, ignitor and coils. Since it is #1 and #4 that failed, it would be related to the coil on the left side of the bike.

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[tom203]

He's likely got the ND setup...but best to check.
The 550 ignitor seem to be most troublesome based on what I've read here , but never hurts to doublecheck connections.

 

[Nessism]

The 1st gen 550 ignitors are fine. It's the 2nd gen 550's with the horrable ignitors.

Agree with Steve. Troubleshoot before purchasing parts.

 

[Pappy]

Thanks for the replies!!! Very much appreciated.
Will take a look at it tomorrow morning.....just got home and too dark and too many other bikes to move out of the way to look tonight.

 

[Pappy]

Saturday I will have time to look at the issue. I do have questions on switching to the Dyna unit from The current signal generator/ignitor system. I see nothing that directly replaces it.
Since it is Lesa riding this bike I may want to go that route anyway. Again any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[Pappy]

Okay...started with the signal generators. Ohmed them out and they were both around 65 ohms so both are well below what they should be.
This sort of makes sense as what spark I normally have is very weak at best. I checked spark on 2 and 3 and it is there but barely visible.
Put the connector back together and decided to try it. Bike fired up on two cylinders and eventually the other two kicked in with a lot of come and go as far as ignition goes so am assuming the coils are good as far as connections go.
It is my understanding that the 1981 model should have points anyway? Since I do not know the history of this bike it may have a later engine in it....not sure.
So.......
Once again my question would be which Dyna system since it has no points?