How to diagnose a no spark situation on a motorcycle

[@TheMrVerbal]

Great video, helped me fix my buddies bike. That being said, as a tech I've used a multi-meter for over 20 years, hearing miltimmeter killed my brain, I started telling multi-meter at my phone. But excellent video!

[@otherwiseunarmed4187]

can i use a multi-meter to check my alti-meter?

[@Just_Joshing024]

​@@otherwiseunarmed4187🤦‍♂️

[@chriscopley3005]

Yesterday I was seriously considering giving up and either selling my bike or just pushing it into the middle of the lawn and setting fire to it. Thanks to your video I found that the kick stand wasn't hitting the switch (never had them on my old bike). It was push-to-break so I unplugged it and it started first kick. You, Sir, have my thanks!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Glad to help 👍

[@DreamwalkerFilms]

Well, nearly 10 years down the line and yet another one of your videos has saved my ass. Always grateful for your knowledge and teaching skills Max!

[@warlord1700]

I have been going nuts for over a month trying to get an old 72 xs650 running, after viewing your video, it has given me an idea of where to look to solve the problem..... Thank you for posting it

[@scootermacarthy5990]

Really want to thank you for the best video I've found about ignition issues. Helped me solve a problem in that the coils were bad and put out a weak orange spark on a Yamaha 550. Kept hearing that the spark should be bright blue and you provided that perfectly which helped a lot. Thanks again!!!

[@singerray1]

Great video....good advice, clear and concise, One thing I might add, I call them a mult-i-meter, ohm meter, or volt meter. all are correct. He kept to the subject, didn't bore us with junk talk about everything else under the sun other than motcycles...good video.

[@graemewooff7084]

Thank you I have moved all my wiring into my handle bars and scrapped the the kill switch, couldnt figure out why I was not getting a spark till I watched this video Thanks again :) I had not connected the wires to bypass the kill switch.

[@dfw_motorrad1329]

Thank you. You helped me discover why my new 1982 CB650SC was running on 1 cylinder (lol). Spark plug in cylinder 3 was bad, and the left ignition coil was bad, all causing cylinders 1,3,4 to not fire. Changed the plug in cylinder 3, so now it's running on 2 cylinders. And I ordered a used ignition coil that was pulled off a running bike (only $14!!) which should get here in a couple days. So that's $538 for the bike after new oil, carb cleaner, and ignition coil. If this fixes it, I'd say I got a pretty good deal.

[@michaelbuffington5403]

Just picked up a 1980 Maxima XJ650 as a project. Hit the start button and only thing that happened was a clicking sound from the starter solenoid. Going to pick up a multimeter and a spark tester tomorrow so I can perform your checklist. Thanks for the video.

[@mrmaxstorey]

You should review my video on starter motor problems, because you first need to get the starter spinning before you can do these tests

[@stefanburt385]

Best KZbin video I've seen in years. Thanks for the no-frills vid... So simple and useful. Thanks again

[@howtoskateboard799]

Hey man just want to say thinks for taking the time to help me and others out!!!! I just picked up the same bike but she's a diamond in the ruff and by you taking the time to make a video help me gain so much knowledge. Now I can't wait to get out there and get her running!!!!

[@sleddy01]

Yours are by far the best videos I have found for troubleshooting motorcycle issues. Thank you.

[@WaitingForTheSignal]

Thank you sooooo much for doing this video! Helping me so much! Glad to see someone go step by step and use the same multimeter I use! Your awesome man!

[@zeprools]

Great video, dude, so many videos out there but don’t go through it so clearly. Finally ready with the right knowledge to diagnose!

[@dvvalant]

Thanks for the information about a weak battery causing no spark. I thought if lights worked and bike turns over the battery was fine, and not causing the no-spark issue. I put my bike on a charger overnight and the next morning it fired up like a new one!! New battery on the way! That's a weird one to me but thanks so much!!!

[@barry7608]

A very thorough and well explained video, I’m no novice but I still can’t figure my no spark Mk 2 hayabusa, thanks anyway

[@vicpetrishak7705]

Lisle 20700 is a very durable spark tester which will interpret spark strength ! Good Video. 6/25/23

[@EnduranceRoom]

Hey, mrmaxstorey, I just wanted to say thank you for putting out all these great videos. They have been a tremendous help over the last year. Cheers

[@mrmaxstorey]

Glad to help

[@feartheindoors]

Thanks so much! Last Fall my bike lost power while riding home from work... All the lights slowly dimmed until the bike would stall out. I managed to put a new battery in it and then the starter wouldn't engage at all! After taking apart the starter motor it was filled with oil and carbon build up so i used carb cleaner to clean it very well, however after reinstall i was getting a buzzing noise from bike once i hit the starter button (which by the way works every time its pressed now). Thanks to your video I've concluded so far that the battery voltage is definitely sub par sitting at only 11.5 !! I'm going to go through and check all the other things for general maintenance purposes but jeez was this video informative for owners of old motorcycles! Mine is a 83' Suzuki GTR-650 and this video even helped me ! Only thing i would suggest is maybe showing where the kick stand relays are or how to access them i know you were trying to shorten the video and i could appreciate that, however it did take me quite a while to access these on my own!

[@feartheindoors]

Haven't completely fixed this yet so i will post with updates.. Watching your starter motor video now seems as tho that was my problem and now my battery just needs a charge we will see!

[@feartheindoors]

Okay, so i trickle charged my battery to about 12.5 volts and tried to start it.... Cylanoid spring is clicking but i've rested my spark plugs on my motor (brand new plugs) and neither one of them is sparking. Going to watch the video after that part to diagnose what to do next.

[@stephenparkinson5303]

Thank you so much, very informative - My sons old Honda Bali SJ100 has sat in the garage since he had 'no spark' problems and he went and got himself a bigger bike anyway - I'm gonna make it a project and see if I can get it running.

[@taysonreda6145]

I have a 1982 yamaha xj650rj (SECA). I jumped the solenoid, and got it to crank, but it is not sparking! Thankfully I found this video, so I'm going to try some of these tests!

[@fatherfreedom1946]

10 years later, and saving my ass in 2024. You rock man, thank you

[@mrmaxstorey]

glad to help bro

[@spelunkerd]

One of the humbling things for people to do is to test for spark in bright sunlight, when the flashing light can be really hard to see. Also I'll agree with your point that lack of spark may sometimes be seen from a weak battery even when the starter motor turns the engine over fine. Once before I went chasing the wrong pathway when that happened on my dodge ram.

[@Sole-Survivor]

Fantastic video! Thorough and to the point! From my perspective the only way it could have been any better would be if you were demonstrating on a Honda shadow.

[@joef.3094]

the camera work could have been better, but a truly excellent "no spark" troubleshooting guide.

[@bigthinkinguy]

Thank you for making this video. It helped me diagnose a no spark situation on my sons bike. The simple screwdriver to ground test broke the logjam and we figured out the rest in 10 minutes. Thanks again!

[@aaronrroche9981]

Great video had a repeat loss of spark I changed ignition coil twice and spark plus and it was the cdi all along thanks mate helped me so much keep it up

[@treyfraser1107]

Great video. Love the step by step. Getting no fire on any plugs on 1973 Honda cb750 four. Will do all this when I get home. 👍🏻

[@JimPayneOldFartonaMotorbike]

Really great video the electrics on a bike is very complicated to me and you have shown me the way to go. Thanks very much.

[@FoundingStockNZ]

I was looking for a way to run these tests on a mate's Triumph and I find this great video, and its demonstrated on my exact kind of personal bike. Weird. Thanks!

[@mrmaxstorey]

XJs are common for a reason, because they are awesome 👍👍👍

[@rwrestores]

Thanks for the video, I've got a 1982 cb650 nighthawk to look at, prob start it in the new year. Your videos are always informative.

[@akaashkhokhar7768]

Sweet video, I'll go through this for my 79 Yamaha. Starts and runs great but has a cold start issue.

[@walkerrog25]

Excellent 'how-to' from the net's best bike channel.

[@iwandekker934]

The best mechanic video ever💯

[@judechopper]

very good video, you helped me a lot, my cdi is crapped itself, thanks for your knowledge.

[@tomcathughes2969]

I’m diggin’ a lot of your videos. Good stuff here. Over the last few years I’ve gotten pretty familiar with old Kz440’s and a Evo Sportster through trial and error, busted knuckles and some KZbin videos. Either way, I appreciate you sharing the information.

[@trainmaster0217]

Good video...thank you.. What I've done is to hotwire the ignition coil to bypass the ignition switch and kill switch. I was getting intermittent spark. Bike would quit at random. Replaced my coil and ICM and still no go. Couldn't find an ignition switch that was the problem so I hotwired the bike with a 10 amp fuse and a toggle switch and the bike than ran perfectly. Just had to remember to turn off the toggle switch.

[@andrewcombs9392]

Fantastic video. I've got a 1986 Kawasaki 454 taken apart in my garage, trying to figure out why it's dying on me when I run. At this point, I'm thinking it's a problem with the spark plug boot. It seems to intermittently spark. I'll be pulling the plugs out when I get home today to make sure it isn't just a fouled plug. Anyways, this is great. Thanks!

[@robertgroomer6296]

Ty you info was great I'll be watching it over and over till mines fixed

[@janelleg2884]

did you fix it ?

[@robertgroomer6296]

@@janelleg2884 not sure what I was supposed to be fixing this pain for months ago if it was my motorcycles and no I haven't I've been waiting and waiting and waiting because I'm fixing other people's stuff

[@memybikeni9931]

My CX500 has just decided not to fire. Not even on one cylinder which is odd. One spark plug has a spark not the other, but both cylinders not firing, so probably a coil issue, there are two coils. hope its not the CDI. Going to test all these steps. Great video

[@benjaminhayes4253]

your video was absolutely amazing dude thank you so much fo all of the details on everything and how to check it !!!your the bomb

[@Patrick5059123]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Helped me with my electrical issue on the 1983 xj750 good job

[@jamesonedsel9520]

I got a 82 xj 550 that I'm trying to get running man I feel it.

[@jasonkinzalow3755]

Great video man. I'm dealing with no spark on my bike I'm gonna go off this video an fix it

[@mrmaxstorey]

good luck bro you can do it

[@adamwelsh2463]

All older bikes which draw the current for the coils from a common loom suffer the same fate when voltage drops due to current draw being high. If you cannot afford to chase the problem through rplacement of every item using a replacement strategy of almost every item in the system, try another strategy. Wire a new source (fused 10A) direct from the positive battery terminal to a relay with two output posts. Wire from those to the power input of each coil. Take one of the redundant power input wires you have just removed and connect it to the on/off switched input on the relay. Power to the coils from the battery source is now direct, bypassing the main loom. This removes any current draw/voltage drop, and it is controlled by the ignition key as before via the side connection to the main loom, but isolated from it. Never failed me yet, only when the battery is so flat or old that it literally will not turn the starter motor at all will it not fire.

[@patrickmulholland1840]

ACCORDING TO THE METER READING THAT SWITCH IS NORMAL CLOSED NOT OPEN GREAT VIDEO

[@milanshubert1860]

Thank you very much. You did a great job of explaining everything. Very informative. Your wonderful sir.

[@garydjohnsonjr]

I have been going fucking crazy trying to find a video on electrical systems similar to my 82 nighthawk and where to start and what to test. great video. you really put everything into Lehman terms! going to go by an ohms reader now! thanks again.

[@RJSoftware2000]

Excellent video. I wanted to add that you can also check the safety diode on page 161 of Clymer book shows how. You will need a diode checking capable multi meter. (not mul tim mitter -lol ). Multi is short for multiple. Subscribed

[@RJSoftware2000]

not even sure what the safety diode does, maybe like a pre-processor handling the logic of telling tci to allow spark or not. Some have said they can suffer damage from jump starting.

[@michaelfleury5272]

awesome video, man.. really appreciate you going step by step with each component! definitely have much more confidence to tackle my project now

[@the_jankyard]

I feel stupid but I forgot why the battery affects the spark

[@Welderady]

This was very helpful. Good information

[@justinmaxwell4925]

Once you get used to the trigger on your drill you can just keep the torque at the highest level and feel it out. Especially just around the house and diy stuff. I only turn the torque down for furniture where I’ve seen the cheap wood split. Lol start low and click up until the screw is perfectly set.

[@LynxStarAuto]

Good vid, but man you should warn p, if they are going to pull a spark plug for visual testing, either put another spark plug on the cylinder hole, or disable the fuel system. If not you can have a major fire on your hands.

[@Richard-lionhearted]

Good informative video ! So hard to find a video like this , I might do one for pickup coil replacement ...not much on utube about that !

[@mazzaneal7654]

Very detailed and thorough video, thank you Max. I wish that I would have seen this before I took the bike to the shop last week. In a previous response, you had mentioned that the CDI box is typically good if at least one cylinder is firing. Well, I only had one cylinder firing on my '86 Virago 1100. I replaced the spark plugs in case they were fouled and it did not fix the problem. I thought it was a carb issue, which I did not want to deal with right now, so I took it in to the shop. Mechanic called and affirmed that only one cylinder was firing. Coils werent bad, so he told me to shop for a CDI box. He has Virago 750's around and they have different CDI boxes, so he cant test it. I just wanted your thoughts- Is there something else to try before shopping for a CDI box, given your previous comment? Might there be other bikes to test the CDI box on before I go out and shop for one, or is this CDI box unique? And what is the best way to shop for a working CDI box. I guess I just need to confirm that it has been tested in a working bike, and not just for continuity/voltage. Thank you, again.

[@mrmaxstorey]

As far as I know the viragos are different, so youll need a virago 1100 CDI of that generation. Typically the CDI will fire all cyls or none, but rarely it will fail at a place that allows it to only fire on one. I would first check the pickup coils, and doublecheck the ignition coils, plus all the associated wiring. You can usually find CDIs on ebay

[@mazzaneal7654]

mrmaxstorey I will talk to the mechanic again, then. I appreciate this very much.

[@mazzaneal7654]

mrmaxstorey I realized that I never replied. After all of the coils were checked, the CDI box was the malfunctioning part. I ordered a new one on ebay for about $250. It was one of the rare cases of one cylinder firing. Bike has run great since the fix.

[@MathieuTechMoto]

You are a great teacher

[@bryanjohnson479]

fuck yes. this is the best video I've seen in a while. no bullshit. I really appreciate it. got a cb175 that's being a huge bitch. nice to be able to flip through the video and find what I'm lookin for

[@MrJArdrey1]

what a dumb ass

[@rawministries929]

good job you really break it down..have a great day..it really help me out

[@yoyimarti2864]

Just what I needed awsome video and explanation..thanxxx

[@TESTA-CC]

great explanation thank you buddy. Had this issue with an aprillia rs125

[@donaldwoodford824]

Good vid mrmaxstory. I was just starting to get an old gs650m going, rebuilt carbs cleaned flushed tank and redtoke it "Not a plug for name brands, they dont pay" . after getting carbs back on and primed, I attempted to start. first pulled in clutch and it turned over nicely but no start, so checked or attempted to check spark and bike would not even turn over, scratch my head. so now I jumped it at solenoid and no spark, getting weird now I noticed side stand lt on so tried to ground that but no luck. got weirder pulled fuses and now no power at the fuse box and I put everything away and am researching restoring old bikes. Gulf Coast Texas

[@mrmaxstorey]

Something is arresting your start circuit. If your kill switch was on it would show all of these symptoms: not turning over the starter motor, and no spark when the solenoid is jumped. Good thinking about the side stand switch but remember also some bikes work the opposite way and need those wires isolated rather than connected. Also make sure your ignition switch is operating, and if you have old style tube fuses often their connections will get corroded and cause these kinds of problems

[@MrScottee411]

Yes Mr. Max, I was told to eliminate possible shorts down the line. Should I hook them up? I heard the coil might have to be grounded by a different ground other than the frame. It has to be something crazy like that.

[@mrmaxstorey]

The coil grounds out to the frame through the spark plug. Those two bolts that go into it are just mounting bolts, and dont serve an electrical function

[@Wabbit1961]

Yeah, I have a 1986 Yamaha SRX-600. Pita safety switches everywhere. Kick start only to boot. Recently, it just doesn't start. Getting one of those spark plug testers like you showed. Hoping it's the coil. For all I know at this point it could be the sidestand kill switch, the neutral switch, the CDI... A while back they said my stator tested bad. I replaced a bad rectifier with a MOSFET unit and my charging system is fine, so screw the stator. It's obviously putting out enough power to supply the battery with charge. Hell, I can start my bike without a battery if I want to. If it turns out to be a bad CDI I'll get one on eBay for $100. If it's the kick stand switch I have to bypass it. They don't sell replacement for my model anymore, and I don't trust used anything.

[@jdogtotherescue]

thanks max! I have this very bike and I have ordered new coils because mine are so old and ive been having issues with weak spark with cylinder number 4 and probably others. i really hope the coils are all i need. im worried that my cdi box but ive got my fingers crossed. your videos have made owning an old bike much easier and more budget friendly!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Typically, if at least one of your cylinders is firing, the CDI is good. Check to make sure your plugs arent fouled

[@Wabbit1961]

You should also check your spark plug cap assemblies. Most times they're loose or also need cleaning or replacement. Weather erodes them first as they're the most exposed part to weather and rain. To check the coil alone I always take the cap assembly off. If you have a bad cap assembly and test for bad coil without taking off the spark plug caps you can spend a lot of money for nothing.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Wabbit1961 Not a bad suggestion

[@deepfishfryerpagel8656]

Great video! I was able to find a bad pickup coil!

[@CinematicsHD]

thank you! my dad gave me his CBR600F3 and it wouldn't even make an ignition sound then i realized it was the kick stand! it still wont start but now it makes a sound! lmao

[@josephtorcello6508]

Thanks max now I got to buy coils!

[@MrScottee411]

That coil when off frame,and hanging ungrounded, produces a nice light with trouble light and sparks with wire in cap but not with plug. Mounted produces a weak spark with light and same spark with wire and none with plug. I thought grounding would be the problem, but no such luck. Very unusual problem I guess. I thought with spark through coil it would produce what is needed. Open to more testing ideas on this old XL 250.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Faulty coil

[@pearldragonz]

You forgot the buddy method for checking spark. "Here, hold this wire while I crank it over." lol

[@IssaJakob]

Circus Militia I got my friend to hold it lmfao

[@pearldragonz]

@@IssaJakob Heck I pulled that trick on myself when I was 15. Fired up a Honda ATC and the wiring was messed up. Couldn't shut it off so my idiot self decided I could just pull the plug wire.

[@jerryking1434]

👏👍😉🤣

[@MrScottee411]

Thanks for the help. The coil was tested at a shop and the ohm values where close to another XL350 that does spark against the head. I thought it was a grounding issue with the coil. Continuity test on the coil is the best way to test the coils?

[@TommyTucker0]

as usual, a really good video, very helpful, keep them coming :)

[@HartfordHD125]

Congratulations on 200 videos Roger

[@robinhood8119]

Thank you very much for your great great videos

[@dportz91]

Great video!! You always make it look so easy :)

[@emilhenriksen9533]

glad u made this vidio, it really helped me out eith ny supermoto bike

[@lego4av]

thanks , great video. I have a 08' yamaha vstar 650. if I get spark and wont start, could it be fuel pump? how to check if it is fuel system , do you have a link to fuel diagnostic video ?

[@mrmaxstorey]

A Alarcon It could be a lot of things, my diagnostic website will help you narrow it down. www.TheMotorcycleMedic.com

[@hogg8888]

your a good man mr max storey !! nice one

[@CameronGoris]

Excellent video, thank you for posting it!

[@6footrandom556]

I have to redo wiring in my 1986 yamaha fz600 bout idk how to wire up coils an cdi box an key ignition an start switch hope u can help I been at it an at it bout noting

[@shawnduffee1158]

Great video, thanks. I have an '86 Yamaha FZ600 that I am reassembling. It turns over, but no spark. Will the safety switches cause a no-spark, or will it cause a no turn- over situation? Thanks

[@mrmaxstorey]

Either is possible, unfortunately its been so long since I worked on one I dont remember. Your wiring diagram in your book should be able to tell you

[@C1Rob1990]

Thank you for this vid ;) this might help a us start our first project bike!

[@phillipwilliams8331]

Hay that video was very helpful.i know Some about bikes fixed a few .I have a 1989 virago 1100 and been well kept the problem I'm having is when I try to start it only one coil sparks.i change the wire from one coil to the other then it didn't get spark.do u think its pick up coil? Its the orange wire coil.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yea could be the pickup or cdi

[@jeremyhoch6474]

Thank you bro you were a big help.

[@miguelatambucho748]

Thank you for the video. I have a VT 750 '83 with weak spark but coils, battery and stator are new. I checked the CDI another bike and are ok.... running out of ideas now :(

[@mrmaxstorey]

Miguel Tambucho Whats the condition of the spark plugs are they getting fouled?

[@iliaortho]

Thanks a lot. Quick question. I have 1990 Suzuki vx800. Cant start it. New battery and plugs. It produces very weak spark and not always. I grounded plug on motor and plugged coil on it to see. Once in ten tries it will shoot very weak spark. Carbs are fully rebuilt.Starter turns over.compression is good. Im assuming kill or safety switches have nothing to do with it since there is occasional spark. Thanks again

[@mrmaxstorey]

OK have you done the tests in the video?

[@iliaortho]

mrmaxstorey i did and ignition coil is what i found. Secondary circuit. I took apart coil boot. Little spring and other metal parts are rusted. I took coil wire off the body. Wire is good. I put boot in vinegar so some rust comes off. But coil itself does not conduct current. So far that is what i found. Will order new coils and see what happens. Both coils same problem. Thanks man. Im a first timer so i do it one by one.

[@ramsn1971]

Max ur videos are awesome! You rock dude!

[@Sparkovi4]

Thank you ! I have 2000 Bandit 1200 and it's been sitting whole winter outside leaned on a kickstand . once i fired it up it idles but when shifted into a gear it stalls , so i decided to bypass the switch by connecting the two wires together after that it won't fire up , the crank shaft spins when staring backfires but apparently no power to the plugs (i have power to everything else though) . any thoughts ? thanks again

[@mrmaxstorey]

OK when you disconnect the wires does it run and idle again?

[@Sparkovi4]

@@mrmaxstorey unfortunately it won't , even after i unwired the bypass connection and connected back to the kickstand switch . I think ive blown something when i shortened the kickstand switch . one of those wires Black/White apparently ground the other Green (maybe Neutral?) .. In the worst case could be ECU ? I still got everythin else powered up . thanks

[@mrmaxstorey]

@@Sparkovi4 I wouldnt jump to that conclusion just yet. Have you tested for spark on all 4?

[@Sparkovi4]

@@mrmaxstorey I have ! i have little experience in electrical field , any suggestions would help .

[@mrmaxstorey]

@@Sparkovi4 Well the process for that is in the video. Its a common mistake to assume there is no spark without actually testing for spark, just bc the bike wont run

[@williamross7492]

Having the same issues, the bike was running two weeks ago with a smaller battery but I got the right battery another bike. Seems like it does not want to fire up completely.

[@aaronjennings5549]

Hi have a quick question. I've recently flooded my 1980 Honda, I left the gas switch on for a few days. I've unflooded the engine and now the engine won't start. Do you know if typical flooding the engine can ruin spark plugs? Also can flooding the engine make your oil sour causing it to not start?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Eran Jennings Yes and yes. You need to first repair the flooding carbs (check out my leaking carbs video) then either clean or replace the spark plugs, and change the oil

[@tanfosh88]

Hi I have changed the cdi box and flywheel and stator and checked the ignition coils they are ok but still no sparks but starter goes around could it be the kill switch or the clutch switch or kick stand. Btw i have a kawasaki kle 500. Thankful for answer

[@mrmaxstorey]

Its very possible. Follow the steps in the video and check them out

[@jamesharn6371]

Got a 1500 Vulcan Kawasaki no fire or fuel pump not working help

[@AIRMANBEAR]

THANKS THAT WAS GREAT .. IS THE CDI BOX GROUNDED BY THE ATTACH BOLTS OR DOES IT HAVE A SEPARATE WIRE???????????

[@mrmaxstorey]

Usually it is a separate wire

[@jojobrauer]

Hey, great video, thanks! I have a starting problem. I did the first test (with a screwdriver) and got no spark on either wire. It went from running fine to no sparks at all. Its a 93 nighthawk 250, so 2 plugs, and 2 ignition coils--no spark at the same time. Does this mean its the CDI box? OR is that jumping too many steps? After testing it on my own and with a friend, it started to die and clicked like the battery was dead. Then after it sat a bit, it ran the starter motor fine like before. Could it be a battery issue, or was I just wearing the battery down when I tested it multiple times previously? Thanks.

[@nandallrajkaran4925]

Hi I have a Yamaha 2002 V star 650 I'm getting no spark I went ahead and change Is Ignition coil I did some test with all the killswitch kickstand switch all Seems to be working

[@sergioernandez1]

Great Video! Well explained ! I have a 1981 Yamaha Virago XV 750 and I would need all the help I can , how often you upload?? And thank you very much

[@mrmaxstorey]

Not that much any more but I can answer questions that you have

[@cool0454]

Will a faulty CDI have to do with YAmaha 650 Maxim, ( WILL START ONLY with help from starting fluid)? I cleaned all electrical points of contact, new plugs, new coils, new batt, new petcock, new ignition starter. Checked w/voltmeter all contacts to ignition they all work ( i.e. pick up coils, plugs, coils, starter solenoid, switches, kickstand, ) ! Starts as stated with starting fluid and runs around the block like a charm. My big concern at this point IS, starter motor is dragging or sticks a little even with FULL battery charge, could this be the culprit? Help is appreciated.

[@mrmaxstorey]

No if your CDI was bad you would get no spark and not run on starter fluid. It sounds like you have fuel delivery problems, start by cleaning petcock and carbs.

[@robertclark6991]

Hello Max, I have an 85 riva xc125, very similar to the one in the background of your vid. I have been going in and out of videos all over the Internet about the ignition system for that stupid thing... I'm getting no spark on my cylinder. I'm going to get a mul-tim-eter and check everything tomorrow. My question for you is, is there anything "known" to go out as far as the ignition system is concerned on these? Also, would I be able to get an electrical tester to see if there was current flowing through the wires on my bike and diagnose it that way? Or would I absolutely need a mul-tim-eter to test it with no way around it?

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Robert Clark Well a multimeter is really tho only electrical testing tool you need for bike repair and it only costs like 5 bucks so I think its a good investment. I know the CDI in these bikes is a weak point, it will help you get close to diagnosing the CDI because you can test for power in and power out, as well as continuity through the coil and pickup col so that can help you rule out other things before you replace the CDI. Back when I had my riva I found a pretty good online forum that was helpful in repairing it, i forget the address now but search around maybe you can find it

[@robertclark6991]

OK I thank you for your time and input. I already have a cdi on its way. Used from a known running bike and wasn't but $45. So hopefully this will fix my problem. No spark in the plug.

[@CarsnStuff]

Can a dead battery completely eliminate spark even if you have a kick over bike ? Its interesting because someone gave me an old XL500. i removed the battery because it was completely cracked. I put a new plug, oil and coil because it didn't have one to begin with. and after i got all that it started right up. But if i were to connect the dead battery would it suddenly not be able to fire up ?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah Ive had bikes like that. I forget exactly what the mechanical process is that prevents the spark maybe someone else can chime in on it. But the answer is yes

[@CarsnStuff]

Okay thanks ! im actually buying a project xl600r they said it would run fine but when they would let it sit and battery would die the bike would have a hard time starting when its being kicked over. I won't be able to determine it until i get the bike but first thing im gonna do is get a new plug and then take the battery out and test the spark both with and with out the battery. Maybe the dead battery is absorbing more energy than what is required to spark. Who knows. But hoping its nothing really complicated haha. I appreciate the response and i'll keep and eye on this to see if anyone else wants to discuss !

[@RoadSkillsTraining]

Hi. I have ybr 125 custom. It failed on me while riding. It started fine apart for few minor pop sounds in exhaust and riding toward work. About mile down it made loud pop (backfire) and engine stopped running. I have checked for sparks and there isn't anything at all. Played around with most wires, seems fine. Someone said reg rectifier needs replacement but my battery was full till I drained it trying to start. It turns but no fire.

[@mrmaxstorey]

The reg/rect charges the bike and it doesnt have a impact on the spark. Did you try the tests in this video?

[@Everythingmasseffect]

Would a brake light switch prevent spark? When I put my ignition in the "P" position, none of my lights come on like they should. I've replaced practically everything that I could think of that would typically cause no spark, including my stator, that was already on its way out the door. My lights come on when I put the ignition to the on position. The only two things I did to my bike before it didn't want to start was wash it and switched the brake light to a LED. Any advice would be great.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Have you checked your fuses

[@Everythingmasseffect]

@@mrmaxstorey yup

[@mrmaxstorey]

@@Everythingmasseffect ok, typically with led replacements you have trouble getting blinkers to work, not brake lights. The only connection I can think between this replacement and your no start situation is if you blew some fuses accidentally during the install. If that is not the case, then isolate your ignition switch and with the help of a wiring diagram and your multimeter, confirm that it is energizing the bikes ignition in the on position, and providing power to your lights in the park position

[@Everythingmasseffect]

@@mrmaxstorey Ok I'll try that. Thanks for the input

[@jerryking1434]

Do you have a multi meter ...whats the voltage at the coils key on..whats the voltage during cranking ...