Not getting spark. Now what?

[posplayr]

And are you using the range scale correctly? K ohms for the secondary? Should be 2 - 5 ohms, on K ohms scale it will read zero.

Best to keep the VOM on the 20VDC range, less complicated that way.

[tkent02]

He's measuring resistance in the coil?

[rustybronco]

Left side coil:
Ohms @ 200: 3.7 primary,
ohms @20K: 1 secondary.

The service guide I got from Bike Cliff's site indicates that the primary should be 3.5 - 4.5, and the secondary should be 23 - 25,

right side coil:
ohms @ 200: 3.8 primary
ohms @ 20k: 0 secondary

service guide states primary should be 3 - 5 primary, and 21 - 25 secondary.

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/..._manual-82.pdf
Pg 146...

Measure the coils secondary resistance between the terminal the white wire connects to on the coil and that coils high tension lead, and also the black/yellow coil terminal and it's respective high tension lead.

[posplayr]

He's measuring resistance in the coil?

I know, and I suspect incorrectly, so doing tests using the 20 v scale are probably going to be within the grasp of most people. Using the +12v as a reference point, check in and out and of both thee and no sparky the coils are bad by a process of elimination .

[fyarl666]

I'm stuck at work for most of the day so I won't be able to do any testing till later this afternoon.

However...

Just for argument's sake, let's assume both coils are shot. How would that have happened, and how can I keep it from happening again?

[rustybronco]

Forget assuming.

[posplayr]

I'm stuck at work for most of the day so I won't be able to do any testing till later this afternoon.

However...

Just for argument's sake, let's assume both coils are shot. How would that have happened, and how can I keep it from happening again?

You did not measure it correctly. It happens.

[fyarl666]

You did not measure it correctly. It happens.

I mean how did my coils go from producing spark one minute to not producing spark the next? Seems odd to me that both coils suddenly crapped out. What caused this to happen?

And if I get new coils, how can I be sure that they won't turn into garbage in the same fashion? I don't want to keep having this problem.

[posplayr]

I mean how did my coils go from producing spark one minute to not producing spark the next? Seems odd to me that both coils suddenly crapped out. What caused this to happen?

And if I get new coils, how can I be sure that they won't turn into garbage in the same fashion? I don't want to keep having this problem.

I don't have any idea why you would buy new coils if here is nothing wrong with your coils. Maybe a performance upgrade. A hot spark is always a good thing.

[rustybronco]

I mean how did my coils go from producing spark one minute to not producing spark the next? Seems odd to me that both coils suddenly crapped out. What caused this to happen?

If you're so certain that they're bad, go ahead and replace them.

[fyarl666]

If you're so certain that they're bad, go ahead and replace them.

I'm not certain, I'm just asking IF, they are bad (just an assumption, don't know for sure), what could cause that?

That's all I'm asking.

[rustybronco]

Have you ever tried diagnosing something that may never have existed? When you find which part had failed, then you can start to ascertain what caused it.

[posplayr]

I'm not certain, I'm just asking IF, they are bad (just an assumption, don't know for sure), what could cause that?

That's all I'm asking.

It is highly unlikely ( virtually impossible) for two coils to suddenly "break" spontaneously . Therefore the only logical conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with them and you are just wrapped around the axle. Do the simple tests I outlined using 20vdc setting.

[gsgeezer]

It is highly unlikely ( virtually impossible) for two coils to suddenly "break" spontaneously.

My originals are still functioning fine, I did replace the plug boots and wires, though. No reason to spend the $$ if you don't have to, yet.

There are always lots of OTHER things, to worry about, instead....

[fyarl666]

My originals are still functioning fine, I did replace the plug boots and wires, though. No reason to spend the $$ if you don't have to, yet.

There are always lots of OTHER things, to worry about, instead....

I'm just really worried it's the ignitor box cuz that would be more $$$ to replace than coils. Plus, there's no real way to test if the ignitor is good, is there?