80 GS850 Starting problem: Igniter or other?

[erconn]

I can't start a 1980 GS850GX. Unplugged each ignition and voltage drops from around 11 when the key is on to around 9 when starting. New spark plugs don't fire when taken out. Could it be that both ignitions went bad at/around the same time or is there something else I should look for? Thanks in advance!

[GS850_Coug]

First, voltage is a huge issue. If you are not getting enough voltage to the coils, the coils won't produce enough voltage to fire. Charge the battery for a couple hours until you have at least 12v, preferably a little higher. Then try your test again.

If you still have no spark, check that voltage is actually getting to the coils. If you have voltage at the coils, coils or plug wires might be bad. If no voltage to coils, test the igniter (search the forum for that one) and points.

Good luck:-D

[erconn]

The battery is charged and it's only a few months old. All the voltage I talked about getting is at the connection to the ignition coils. I hooked up the charger and put it on 55 amp start. Voltage at that connection is more than 13 before starting, then drops to more than 10 when starting. Again, no spark from either coil.

[GS850_Coug]

Sounds like you need to do the resistance test on the coils and plug wires/caps. Or you could take them to the dealer to have the coils tested.

[jimcor]

I hooked up the charger and put it on 55 amp start. Voltage at that connection is more than 13 before starting, then drops to more than 10 when starting. Again, no spark from either coil.

Don't do that again. If you got lucky and didn't fry anything you might not be so lucky again. :shock: :shock: You can jump your bike from the car battery if the car engine is not running but don't use that charger.

[mark]

I'm no expert in electronics but I greatly improved my voltage to the coils, by just going through the bike and cleaning connections. On 850's the ground that is screwed into the battery box is especially suspect. Clean it good or make a better ground somewhere else.

I went through other connections at the handlebars (starter switch/run switch), ignition solenoid, etc. Gained a volt and a half to the coils.

Good luck.

[Einar J Skog]

Hi

Feed the coils via a relay.Use the original +wire to trig the relay.

[GS850_Coug]

Hi

Feed the coils via a relay.Use the original +wire to trig the relay.

Wouldn't you need to readjust the timing, as the relay activation would add a slight delay to the firing of the coil?

[tkent02]

this should work well....

Wouldn't you need to readjust the timing, as the relay activation would add a slight delay to the firing of the coil?

No the relay stays closed the whole time the ignition is on....