Yamaha Star 650 Ignition Testing and Troubleshooting - From The Battery to the Spark Plugs

[@RogDawg]

You absolutely saved our hind parts. You diagnostic video took us right to an open pickup coil. BAM! You are the man.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad I could help

[@tbone3118]

Just want to say thank you. Because of this video, I was able to determine the pick up coil on my 05 650 vstar failed internally. I replaced it and the bike is running again. You were a big help!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad to hear!

[@JonDoe-ku8yf]

I think that might be the issue with mine too but I might be setting my voltage meter to the wrong setting

[@cerace9120]

Everything about this is great, helped me fish out my ignition problems. Only thing I didn't like was the camera angles

[@64faffi]

Excellent! Although there was nothing new to me in this particular, it was still enjoyable to watch. And the comments and footage are accurate, to the point, complete and informative. One of the very best instruction vidoes I have seen - you deserve a larger group of subscribers. A must for beginners!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thank you very much!

[@Akifrend]

I would had liked to see the tests for the ignition unit and the relays and diodes box

[@starryeyedcreative]

Man, thank you for sharing your knowledge!! I’ve made it to 10:28ish in the video, everything passes the electric and crank tests…except the plugs still aren’t getting spark. She’s in neutral on ignition crank, opened and cleaned the kill switch real good, but scratching my head with no spark still. Anyone got an idea?

[@tjmcgrath9735]

Good job man helped me find my open circuit pick up coil

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@wesleycunningham855]

Very Helpful video. Nicely done. Thanks for posting it.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

You're welcome!

[@mitchellgibson1383]

At 2:30 you said that it also has a main fuse. Is the fuse you touched the "main fuse" or the fuse on your charging wire?

[@jessicaaguilar8240]

thank you verry much for the information . it served me well have seen all your videos on the yamaha. itwo own a vstar .again thank you verry ggod suff .

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad to hear that you found the videos helpful.

[@goodbragpro]

bro if theres no reading in the ignition coil where the wiring is attached is there something wrong with the winding inside ?

[@carneeki]

Dang... I gotta get to my front ignition coil - that looks like a job and a half for a first timer.

[@craigandrews3477]

Did you get it replaced? Was it a pain in the ass? This is probably something I have to do and I know absolutely nothing about motorcycles.

[@carneeki]

@@craigandrews3477 I wound up taking the seat and tank off (YT videos show how easy it is), and I couldn't get to the coil. Thankfully after some mulling it over, I had another go at it, and discovered the spade terminal had simply come off - grabbed some needle nose pliers and gently bent the rolls over so it would bight tighter on the terminal (did both of them) and it's worked like a charm ever since. I hate to think what's involved in pulling the coil out and putting a new one in because of how cramped it is.

[@craigandrews3477]

@@carneeki I appreciate the prompt reply. I’ll see if that works on my bike. Thank you, brother.

[@carneeki]

@@craigandrews3477 good luck!

[@carneeki]

@@craigandrews3477 if you need to, and manage to remove the front coil, the world probably would benefit from a video on how you did it :)

[@nomadictow3011]

thanks for your videos, this is youtube gold

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thanks much!

[@EdwardQuijada-i9x]

I have not checked the coil yet, but what if there is no spark on the spark plug? I tested the way you did to see the arc spark but no spark...should I check the coil?

[@jorgepradera2169]

I bought a yamaha vstar 650 was park for a while and replace battery and I don't have spark is that may be the crankshaft sensor. Please let me know 🙏

[@b0nz]

Your videos are great!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Thanks Jim!

[@mikesautomaintenance5780]

Do u happen to no what color is what on the 4 plug connector on the back on the key switch? Looking to relocate my key switch to the top of the tank like a Harley key switch is I no what is what on the new key switch I bought but I need to find out what color does what on the harness side of the key switch on the bike

[@jerryprice6414]

I checked everything in my ignition with a multimeter just like in your video. All of my readings check out but I don't get any spark to my rear plug. Any Ideas I'm stumped. Thanks.

[@tishcountytrailriders8442]

I got 120.4 on the pickup coil at 72 degrees is that bad?

[@King.DAVid.III2022]

Yea that'll help thanks brother

[@retrotechandelectronics]

You're welcome.

[@scottmickleberry9254]

Great video

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jesusneverfailsus1538]

Could you possibly tell me what color wires go to top and bottom of the front coil?

[@MrHalomaster8]

I have a V-Star 650 battery is fully charged I put the key in the ignition the light on the dash glows the lights turn on the turn signals turn on but I don't hear no fuel pump and when I turn the key and I push the start it doesn't do anything it's like the bike doesn't even have a battery in it what could be the problem.

[@princeofdbn11]

Thanks for the video man! My Yamaha is having an issue where the front runs fine but the rear is off. At high rpms it seems to run ok but it dies at idle and it doesn’t run as hot as the front. I’ve ruled out carbs because those have been cleaned professionally and I’ve taken them apart again to make sure. It has to be a wiring issue but I even swapped the coils and it still has the same issue and got new plugs...

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I dunno..... that sounds like carbs to me.,..

[@gfgf174]

Did you ever figure out the issue? I’m having the same issue with mine also but the from cylinder is running off and a lot colder than the front.

[@soulsnatcher9228]

Thanks a million helps like you don't know..

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad to hear it!

[@engr3633]

I think I reversed the polarity of my bike bc of the new battery I bought. Now with the right one I get nothing.

[@2liter8]

I took off the tank and cleaned the carbs but now when back together -nothing, nada electrical for starting or anything else. The battery shows 9V and the charger says dead battery and that something is taking charging power and to take out the battery and try again. The guy I bought it from 2 years ago said the battery was new. Even w/9V wouldn't you hear solenoids clicking? You said there was one main fuse but I didn't see where that was.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

9v is bad

[@williamoratajr.4365]

I recently bought a 2007 yamaha xvs1300 without ignition keys, tried to bypassed and it cranks but no spark and fuel pump does not prime. Will this be the ecu that needs corresponding keys? More so is xvs 950 has same ecu for the xvs 1300?

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I would recommend asking a dealer with title in hand what cans be done for a replacement kwy

[@rawministries929]

ichecked everything you did and as all ok..but still wont thro spark? hat else could be the problem ..pleases mess me back

[@jacobbos2208]

Great video, thx! How do you know what resistances are good or not? Owners manual? Exp?

[@jacobbos2208]

Yeah 1.1M ohms (open) @ 6:04 time... pickup coil check video here I come! I'll see if i can find it, thx again.

[@jacobbos2208]

Found a shop manual showing correct resistances, here it is for those who want one. braindump.donfick.com/media/9d/Yamaha%20v-Star%20650%20Shop%20Manual.pdf

[@jacobbos2208]

Found this step by step procedure for replacing pickup coil www.650ccnd.com/coil.htm

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I have the workshop manual for every bike and car i own.

[@joshuasmith9178]

Hav all the right voltage put a new carb pick up coil coil packs plugs fuel filter fuel lines and pump new computer box when I go to start it it sounds jus like your bike did when you pulled your plugs out don’t know what it could be

[@elsharkone7]

Ah, at least now I have idea on how to approach ignition troubleshoot. Thank you!

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Glad to help.

[@TIG2MAN0]

I have a 1 when I check my pickup coil so I'm assumeing thats problem. I have no spark in either plug coils. I didn't think pick up coils ever went bad. Do you have a video about replacing that? Last year my bike was running 1 qt oil when it's supposed to have 3qt. I'm thinking the temp got to hot and caused problems. I think I'll replace stator also since im down there.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Sorry I do notyet have any video for pickup coil or stator replacement. When I do one I will document it.

[@wreckz9145]

Okay so when testing the pick up coil / stator what color are the wires

[@retrotechandelectronics]

…

[@wreckz9145]

@@retrotechandelectronics yah I get it

[@lunchbox6966a]

Great video, unfortunately my bike still has no spark to either cylinder all my voltage and resistance tests are good. Last fall I did have the pickup stator replaced and on the way home it was backfiring really bad that was the last time it ran. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I even got to the point where I used my buddy's CDI to see if that was the issue still no spark.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

The stator sounds like a smoking gun, at that point, I personally would start hooking up an oscilloscope to see if there was a signal coming off the pickup at all.

[@randallhupp4692]

@@retrotechandelectronics right ya kn ow, because everyone has an oscilloscope laying around.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

@@randallhupp4692 you reach a point as you dive deeper , eventually you will run out of test equipment.

[@ihatecrackhead]

@@randallhupp4692 there are scan tools with scopes built in

[@dchroyal]

I see no spark from plug wires, changed fuel pump, cdi box, fuses are good, changed plugs also

[@jritsema1817]

Everything is going right until I get to the pickup coil....then it just doesnt read any numbers on my meter...and then you say that if it doesnt read right I have a another set of issues...where do I go if my pickup coil doesnt read at all

[@giorgikevkhishvili5204]

HI, great videos, but I need your help. I cant find the tip up sensor, Can you tell where is it?

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I’m not familiar with a tip up sensor.

[@jonathanvillalba3214]

What i need to check starts at 2:35

[@firbyd]

What if you can jump start thru the solenoid, but it won't turn over with the start switch? what's the problem there?

[@ylwael]

if it turns with jumping solenoid, then starter is fine? check switch make sure it has power on both sides

[@Group2Matrix]

Great Video. I do have a question. does the ECU send signal straight to the coils or is there a separate Igniter unit before the coils? I'm only getting spark out of one coil. They both tested fine.

[@retrotechandelectronics]

There is in fact an igniter. It is the last thing, once troubleshooting is expended, it is swapped out to see if that is the ROF.

[@tungle7]

@Group2Matrix, did you ever get this resolved? My bike also gets only one spark out one coil

[@Group2Matrix]

@@tungle7 turns out the bike has been sitting so long, the carburetor jets got clogged up during some time. Had to have the carb rebuilt.

[@tungle7]

@@retrotechandelectronics I only got spark out of the front coil. No spark on the rear one. Checked the coils and spark plugs are all good. Any idea or suggestions? Thank in advance.

[@tungle7]

@@Group2Matrix I mean did you ever find out what cause not getting the spark for the second coil?

[@daymeantrevino8227]

I have a 03 vstar an the start button is not working and I'm not get spark can u help with that

[@retrotechandelectronics]

check kickstand switch

[@gregorygunter3352]

So I’m having trouble with the bike turning over the battery is charged but it is not turning over however when I was checking it with voltmeter and had it attached to battery it turns over what might be the issue

[@retrotechandelectronics]

Loose battery terminal connection?

[@gregorygunter3352]

Retro Tech & Electronics I’m thinking it might be a bad starter switch could that be it ?

[@auliaariefhaz5241]

When contact position "on" The battery down almost to 10-9voltage, the battery normal or drop? Please help because i have problem drop voltage

[@retrotechandelectronics]

try charging the battery overnight to see if it can hold a charge, then do a current test if it drops too quick.

[@tylerangene136]

Does anyone know the key code for the Yamaha vstar 650?

[@soulsnatcher9228]

I got power at my coils but no spark at all either cylinder.. plus I don't hear my fuel pump just thumps once and that's it

[@retrotechandelectronics]

drain some fuel from one of the carb bowls and see if the pump cycles to refill it when the key turns on.

[@soulsnatcher9228]

Ok that was the problem with fuel pump. But when I test my pickup the meter just jumps shows a k then overload

[@soulsnatcher9228]

So apparently o l means open loop so that means my pickup coil is shot then right if I get no reading?

[@MBabs-fs8st]

What if there is no spark

[@robertshatto2995]

I think my fuel pump on my vstar 650 is weak,when I give it gas to move it falls on its face.Have you ever changed a fuel pump on the 650? I have a service manual coming this week,,,

[@retrotechandelectronics]

I made a video about testing and replacing the fuel pump kzbin.info/www/bejne/i56vYXqMqMRnsNk

[@soulsnatcher9228]

Could be filter

[@stephenbloomer1770]

i did all these tests and i still have no spark. and idk why

[@enmanuelalcequiez5193]

Great video, my problem is that bike wont do anything when press start button any ideas ?

[@enmanuelalcequiez5193]

@@mikejohnson601 no i sold the bike 😅

[@piewagn]

DO NOT wire wheel your plugs!!! It leaves behind residual metal from the bristles and will short it. Best to blast them with glass beads with a spark plug cleaner. I know this from practical experience.....

[@bradleysimon9797]

Didn't help me at all. Did all the test you showed and everything was within specs and still no spark and not a freaking clue why. This bike makes no sense why it does not spark at all.

[@michaelaguiar1436]

Man I need help