Not getting spark. Now what?

[Guest]

After numerous charging issues, changing the stator, my bike suddenly quit sparking.

Now what should I do?

I'm attempting to voltage test the coils, but I need to take the tank off, and as it's currently raining cats and dogs and I don't have a garage, I'm having to postpone it for better weather.

Any help it suggestions are appreciated!

[tkent02]

What else did you touch?

[rustybronco]

I'm attempting to voltage test the coils, but I need to take the tank off, and as it's currently raining cats and dogs and I don't have a garage, I'm having to postpone it for better weather.

Any help it suggestions are appreciated!

Find a tarp to work under.

[fyarl666]

What else did you touch?

It seems I'm cursed to not ever get this damn bike running properly.

[tom203]

New stator, what about R/R ? did you test charging system afterwards , as in do the Quick test stuff?

[rustybronco]

The thing that keeps re-occurring in my head, is the possibility of the reg allowing the charging system to over volt taking out the igniter.

[tom203]

The thing that keeps re-occurring in my head, is the possibility of the reg allowing the charging system to over volt taking out the igniter.

Yeah, that's why you got to test after new stuff is installed!

[fyarl666]

Well, I cant do bugger all to test any of the charging system, since I cant get the bike to start.

Contact Breaker - what is that? In my wiring guide, that's the only thing that is connected to the ignition coils. Where do I locate that on the bike? What am I looking for to test if it's working properly?

Also, its a two-cylinder bike. How many ignition coils do I have? One for both cylinders, or one igniter per plug?

[JTGS850GL]

Check fuses first. Check all connections to and from the ignitor, including all coil and pickup connections, next. Do you have no spark on any plug? If not and all of the fuses and connections check out, then the ignitor may very well be suspect. I'm betting on a fuse or connection problem though.

You have two coils. One for each cylinder. One ignitor controls both coils.

[posplayr]

In cases like this when all else fails, I pull out my trusty volt meter.

[tkent02]

I pull out my service manual first. In 1981 did they even have a 400? Is that the 16 valve four cylinder they only had in Canada?

In 1980 and later, did Suzuki even sell bikes with contact breakers?

How about a little help here, like tell us what maintenance you have ever done to it, what happened that caused you to replace the stator, what testing did you do to lead you to that?

[fyarl666]

Check fuses first. Check all connections to and from the ignitor, including all coil and pickup connections, next. Do you have no spark on any plug? If not and all of the fuses and connections check out, then the ignitor may very well be suspect. I'm betting on a fuse or connection problem though.

As far as I know, it only has a single 15A fuse off the battery, and it's still good.

And where is the ignitor? I know where the coils are, but not the ignitor.

It's only got 2 plugs and neither are sparking.

[tkent02]

Ahh, it's a twin, good to know. Are you sure it's a 1981 model?

[fyarl666]

I pull out my service manual first. In 1981 did they even have a 400? Is that the 16 valve four cylinder they only had in Canada?

In 1980 and later, did Suzuki even sell bikes with contact breakers?

How about a little help here, like tell us what maintenance you have ever done to it, what happened that caused you to replace the stator, what testing did you do to lead you to that?

I'm beginning to wonder what year the bike is. I was sure it was an 81, and the side cover decals on it say GS 400L, but ever time I try to look for parts, I have a hard time coming up with that model year.

And as far as previous maintenance, forgive me if I take the lazy route and give the edited version. I don't feel like re-typing the whole ordeal I've gone through with this bike so far.

Basically, the battery kept dying.

I replaced the battery and the R/R. Battery still died, so I did a few voltage tests and discovered the stator wasn't putting out any AC juice. Changed the stator, and the bike is now no longer producing spark from the spark plugs.

I'm at a loss and I'm about to just pour gasoline over the whole works, toss a match and be done with it.

[tkent02]

Is there still a VIN sticker on the steering head? It will list the exact model and year if there is.

If not, give us the VIN stamped in the steering head. We can figure it out from there.

What Rustybronco said sounds likely, overvoltage could have taken out the ignitor, but that's just a guess at this point. If it does have contact points instead, you don't have to worry about over voltage.

Look under the little round cover over the right side end of the crankshaft to know for sure.