Igniter P/N?

[Major Bummer]

Would anybody happen to know the P/N for the igniter on an 81 GS550L?

The one that's on it right now is from a different bike and I'm not sure if it is the same as the original. The P/N on this one is BB1201, 32900-47020. On another site those numbers come up with GS/GSX 250/400/450 models. It didn't say what years. It looks identical to the original. The original was still bolted to the bike but had no identification what so ever.

In the mean time, I still can't track down why it wont turn over when I hit the start button. I've ruled out the start button, clutch switch, kill switch, starter relay, and fuses as the cause. I've jumped the starter relay and the starter turns over. Just nothing happens when I hit the start button. Any ideas on what to look at next?


Is there a way to bench-test an igniter?

Thanks, Bill

[Nessism]

Ignitor bench test is in the factory service manual. You can download for free from repairmanualclub.com or Basscliff's site.

As to the ignitor part number, you can easily look it up yourself from one of the mulititude of on-line part sellers such as Alpha-Sports.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

For your bike, my favorite parts fiche shows the part# as 32900-47320.

As for testing procedures, I found this on some guy's website in the "Electrical Odd and Ends" section:
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Ignitor/signal generator/coil test
Originally posted by Mr. Billy Ricks

This is for an '85 700 but you can probably use the same tests for your bike.

Here's how to check the ignitor. Remove spark plugs 1 & 2 and ground them to the motor so they will fire when they get power. With the ignitor facing you, the plug on the right side of the ignitor is where the signal generator plug fits. The two terminals on the right side of that portion of the ignitor will be pin 1 at the front and pin 2 at the back. The two left pins will be pin 3 in front and pin 4 at the back. Turn the ignition switch on. With a multitester set a the X1 ohm range put the + probe on pin 2 and the - probe on pin 1. Plug number 1 should fire. Next put the + probe on pin 4 and the - probe on pin 3. Plug number 2 should fire. If this happens the ignitor is good and the signal generators are suspect.

As for testing the pickups, signal generators, measure the resistance between the two wires on each pickup. You should get somewhere around 130-200 ohms. If the resistance is infinity or less than spec they are shot.

To test the coils put one probe of the multitester on each of the terminals on the primary side of the coil. You should get 3-5 ohms. Check the secondary windings by placing one probe into each of the plug wires coming from one coil. Those would be 2 & 3 from one coil and 1 & 4 for the other. You should get 30-50,000 ohms for stock coils and 15-20,000 for aftermarket.

Here is another procedure to test the ignitor by Mr. almarconi

Remove the spark plugs of #3 and #4 cylinders, fit them into the plug caps, and place them on the cylinder head.

Remove the frame cover on the right side and disconnect the lead wire from the signal generator.

Connect (+) lead of voltmeter [set to ohms] with blue lead wire on the ignitor side, connect the (-) lead on the voltmeter with the green lead wire.

The moment the test leads are connected, the electrode of spark plug of #4 fires. The moment the test leads are disconnected, the electrode of spark plug of #3 fires.
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Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

The one that's on it right now is from a different bike and I'm not sure if it is the same as the original. The P/N on this one is BB1201, 32900-47020. On another site those numbers come up with GS/GSX 250/400/450 models.

I just looked that part number up on Babbitt's site and, yes, it lists all the two-cylinder models AND the 1980 550L. Not sure how much changed from '80 to '81, but there is a chance that it should work for your bike.

.

[Major Bummer]

Ignitor bench test is in the factory service manual. You can download for free from repairmanualclub.com or Basscliff's site.

As to the ignitor part number, you can easily look it up yourself from one of the mulititude of on-line part sellers such as Alpha-Sports.

Been waiting for almost a week for and activation code from repairmanualclub.com. Been checking my spam box to see if it got put into there, but no such luck so far. I've been finding Basscliff's site quite interesting. I have found one manual there for the GS550's. Though it does not list the GS550L specifically in it and it does not say what years. Not sure if it will help or not seeing as how there seems to have been a lot of changes between specific models and from year to year around that time. A copyrite date in the book would help.

I did find the P/N for the igniter on Alpha-Sports. Thanks. I'd have to be totally nuts before I'd pay $480 for a new one though. Lol.

Basscliff, I'll try out those testing procedures out later on both the original and the "new" igniters. Thanks for the info. I'll be spending much more time later poking through you site.

[Nessism]

The factory GS manuals are structured so there is a base manual for the first year production, and then supplements for each subsequent year. Basscliff has the complete 550 manual with all the supplements included – same as repairmanualclub.com. And speaking of repairmanualclub, they are typically good but it sounds like they are having problems since the confirmation should show up right away.

Regarding ignitors, I think they are basically all the same except for the later models that have the advance curve controlled electronically. As long as you are willing to sort out possible mounting and plug issues, just look for the cheapest one you can find.