no spark when cranking, sparks when button is released

[Guest]

Hi everyone I have an 81 gs850 can not figure out why I'm not getting spark while cranking. Tested the igniter the signal generator, coils and cleaned the kill switch and started button. I also have a coil relay and the battery is good. It will push start and runs fine just can't get it to fire with the starter button. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

[tkent02]

Starter is probably dropping the voltage so low the ignition can't make a spark. When you let off the starter button, the voltage comes back up, the ignition makes one spark before the engine stops turning. You need to clean up some electrical connections, both in the starter circuit and the ignition circuit.

[geol]

When you turn the key on and press the starter button, check for voltage at the starter solenoid where the yellow/green wire connects. If you don't have voltage when the ignition is on and the button is pushed, the obvious place to check is the wires to and from the interlock switch on the clutch or the switch itself. Have you tried putting the yellow/green wire from the right handle bar switch inside the headlight shell connected direct to the yellow/green wire going to the starter solenoid/ This bypasses the clutch interlock switch and just takes a second to plug in and try.

[tkent02]

His problem isn't cranking. It's a lack of spark while cranking.

[jc77]

Thanks for making me check the starter. I managed to swap the bat - and started cables. Man I'm dumb. Thanks again it's working fine now.

[Bigko]

Thanks for putting your solution in this thread..

Thanks for making me check the starter. I managed to swap the bat - and started cables. Man I'm dumb. Thanks again it's working fine now.

Thanks for putting your find in this thread... I managed to do the exact same thing and it was driving me nuts!