Is it possible to bench test the ignitor/coils?

[Anonymous]

I've check the rest of my bike for starting problems but could not find anything wrong (getting no spark). My signal generator is working. I've done the 1 1/2 volt to the ignitor with the ignition on also. Can I take this off the bike and verifiy once and for all that the ignitor/coil :roll:

81 suzuki gs550t

[Redman]

There is the ohm check (continuity) that you can do on the ignition coils with a meter. That what you are asking about? Can describe that further.

[Anonymous]

oh yes please do. (i forgot that it was possible to check the coils serperate from the ignitor.

[lhanscom]

I think the ignitor is one of those things where you test everything else, and if everything is fine, and you're still having issues, you replace the ignitor. As for the ohm check, I think you just grab a multi meter and put a probe on the positive, and a probe on the negative, and it should read around 3ohm. I'm not positive on that though... guess some times you get what you pay for, with advice that is :roll:

[Redman]

By the "1 1/2 volt" test I assume you are refering to appling 1 1/2 volts in place of the signal generator to test the ignitor (by using the ohm setting on a meter to supply the voltage) and observing a spark on one plug when you connect the voltage and spark on other plug when disconnected the voltage. THat is how the Suzuki manaul suggests checking the ignitor. But keep in mind that this is not really testing just the ignitor, it assumes the coils and wiring is all okay also, are basically testing everything except the signal generator. SO this really isnt "bench testing" because its still installed on bike and wired to most everthing else, so quess I am not really answering your questions.

For testing the coils my Suzuki manaul (80 GS850 with signal generator) says to do ohm check:
Primary (12 volt) side: approx 4 ohms
Secondary side: approx 15 K ohm

Also signal generator : 250 to 360 ohms.

Also, dont forget that the spark plug caps them selfs can go bad (near open, high resistance). They are replaceable for several bucks a piece.

Although if you got no spark any where, I would not suspect the ignition coils since one is for cycl 1&4 and the other for cycl 2&3.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the help everyone (and redman for the detailed offline assistance)


I was getting down since it's been raining here in california for 3 days straight. i was leaving work on Tue and decided to look at my bike one last time in the pouring rain. i noticed......a burnt out ground wire coming from the ignitor unit... today i spliced it back together and......the sweet sound of the engine was back! i think since it kept blowing fuses with the regulator and stator hooked up it was most likely those components (i know my stator is bad). got a new electrex setup waiting to be installed.

thanks again

John

now... what is the most repliable information regarding additional grounding? should i go crazy and ground everything

[Redman]

Hey John,
Thanks for the PM note.

So your ignitor situation is straightend out. Good.

Now about grounding and the charging system: My understanding (mostly from other postings here) about grounding stuff is that the grounding of the regulator/rectifyer is very inportant. If the case of the R/R looses its grounding (contact to the frame thru mounting bolts I quess) then lots of strange stuff happens, mostly real high - uncontrolled - unregulated - too high voltage - burns out stuff. Have seens lots of recommendations for adding a wire from R/R case mouting bolts to battery negitive.
I myself have not had such problems.