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    #1

    Ignitor or coil or... ?

    So, the bike died on cylinders 2-3 today. Just like that... worked fine, then parked it and when I started it again, it worked only on 1-4.

    We're talking about '81 - 850.

    I've checked all the connectors and they seem fine. Connectors are either new or thoroughly cleaned, as part of the recent complete electrics rebuild. Coils are also new, green Dyna.

    I'm thinking next step would be to check if it is really the coil that went south.
    I have never done this test so it would be good if someone could tell me if my planning is sound...
    I can swap the coils (left to right and vice versa) and also swap the plug leads, 1-4 to 2-3 and vice versa, and see if after the swap it's the 1-4 cylinders that are not firing.

    Is that a good plan? Any other thoughts from the trusted GSR, or things I should know before I atempt this ? Thanks!
    Last edited by psyguy; 05-12-2011, 05:14 AM.
    GS850GT
    Tags: None
    #2
    Good plan.

    Don't forget to change ALL the wires on the coils. Change the primary wires and the plug wires.

    .
    sigpic
    mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
    hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
    #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
    #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
    Family Portrait
    Siblings and Spouses
    Mom's first ride
    Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
    (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

    Comment

      #3
      ...as I posted before....I had this exact problem. The coils, wires, caps were new. The connectors clean. The problem was high resistance within the (old original) crimp on the coil connectors. I cut the coil connectors out and twisted and soldered the wires together. Problem solved.

      Comment

        #4
        Originally posted by Steve View Post
        Don't forget to change ALL the wires on the coils. Change the primary wires and the plug wires.

        .

        Thanks Steve and north49. Both the wires to the coils and the plug leads are new. The connectors from the coils to the wiring harness are new as well.
        GS850GT

        Comment

          #5
          Ivor,

          My guess is one of the output transistors failed in the ignitor. check out Mate Andre's thread on testing that system.
          De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

          http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

          Comment

            #6
            Well, I wasn't so much suggesting that you replace the wires. What I was trying to to was to remind you that you can't simply swap the coils from side to side. The connectors on the wires are different, so you need to swap the wires, too.

            .
            sigpic
            mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
            hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
            #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
            #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
            Family Portrait
            Siblings and Spouses
            Mom's first ride
            Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
            (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

            Comment

              #7
              I'm not too familiar with the 850 igniter setup, but I had a similar problem with my 1150. I would first check the resistance of both coils(both input leads and also the output) if they are the same on each coil, you most likely dont have bad coils. If switching the coils produces the same results(same cylinders not firing), I would look at the igniter box. On my 1150, the box isn't a sealed unit, so you can slide the circuit board out of the black case. I found hairline cracks in the solder joints all over the place. Resoldered them and problem was fixed. Again, I dont know if your igniter unit is the same setup, but can't hurt to check. Good luck.

              Comment

                #8
                Thanks guys, will check the coils first and keep you informed.


                Steve, a bit of a misunderstanding there

                ... but when I had the coils connectors replaced I installed indentical connectors on both sides/coils and I actually can just swap them left to right
                GS850GT

                Comment

                  #9
                  I swapped the coils and the problem REMAINS at cylinders 2-3. I guess that means the coils are working.
                  I have also checked the voltage at both coils and it's OK.

                  So, it's either the signal generator or the igniter, right?

                  Any tips on checking these components?

                  Here's a photo for your indulgence

                  GS850GT

                  Comment

                    #10
                    I've also tested the signal generator as per Matchless' writeup and get resistance of 310 Ohm between the blue and green wires, and no resistance between either of the wires and batt neg, so that's all good.

                    Igniter it must be...
                    GS850GT

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Try fixing it first !!

                      Comment

                        #12
                        I opened the ignitor box but couldn't seen anything wrong... nothing burnt, unsoldered, cracked, etc.

                        Shall I buy Dyna S and be done with it? Thoughts?
                        GS850GT

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by psyguy View Post
                          I've also tested the signal generator as per Matchless' writeup and get resistance of 310 Ohm between the blue and green wires, and no resistance between either of the wires and batt neg, so that's all good.

                          Igniter it must be...

                          Ivor,
                          So far every faulty GS850/1000 igniter one I have seen have had one of the output transistors failed. Have a look at my writeup on your igniter. Do some comparative resistance tests between the two transistor legs and it should show up the faulty one.
                          Replace with 2SD799 transistors which are cheaply available.
                          Here is the link: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmmoluy1yev
                          Good luck
                          Last edited by Guest; 05-14-2011, 01:18 PM. Reason: Added link

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Thanks Andre, I have read your excellent writeup but need a bit more time to get my head around the details of testing the ignitor itself and replacing faulty components. I have done similar things in the past but time is scarce these days... may have to leave it for a lazy winter weekend
                            GS850GT

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Dvna S is now on the way

                              Thanks for your help guys.

                              I'll start a new thread to ask you how to wire in the Dyna S and the Coils into a single (new) relay...
                              GS850GT

                              Comment

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