Overheating issue

[immolate5]

When it dies, pull the boots from each spark plug and use a spare
plug and place against the engine head. Fire it up and see if it will
spark. Note cylinders 1 and 3 run on the same coil, and viceversa
with cylinders 2 and 4.

When the engine is hot I pulled the boot and put a spare plug in aginst the head and there is no spark.

I'm pretty sure it's the signal generator now.

I took off the cover and whenever it died I sprayed some electrical contact cleaner (wich is really really cold when it comes out) where the two red boxes are in the picture




Instantally it started right up. I tried this three times with the same exact results...

[tomm]

Congratulations. It sounds like you have it nailed. Good example of how to methodically go through different possibilities to troubleshoot a problem, each time narrowing it down it a little further.
Might just make sure you don't have any loose or broken wires in that area before you actually spring for a replacement signal generator.

[Steve]

Brown and Black/White - 0.367 ohms
Green and Black/White - 0.360 ohms

Engine Hot - OHm Meeter Readings

Brown and Black/White - 0.395 ohms
Green and Black/White - Infienty ohms

Clymer Manual says these readings should be 250 - 500 ohms

This clearly says the Signal Generator is bad...what do you guys think?

But why would the engine start and run cold with the readings so far off?

Take another look at the display on your meter. Is there any chance that it says 0.367k ohms? That would indicate 367 ohms, right in the middle of the desired range. Look carefully, that "k" might be real small, in the corner of the display. 8-[

.

[immolate5]

Congratulations. It sounds like you have it nailed. Good example of how to methodically go through different possibilities to troubleshoot a problem, each time narrowing it down it a little further.
Might just make sure you don't have any loose or broken wires in that area before you actually spring for a replacement signal generator.

Thanks! You guys have been awesome in helping me.

All of the wires around the area have been visually inspected and look ok, I'm going to replace some of them.

Any suggestions on a new signal generator? Is there one thats an after market that's better than the OEM? Should I get a used one from a salvage yard? Does it have to be from the exact year and make ('83 gs550e) of my bike?