No spark :(

aaron7 · Post by **aaron7** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:31 am

We have spark!

Even though it's 17 degrees outside we were out there tracing wires and tesing continuity... and found the points, though they looked fine, were shorting out.

Swapped in a new set of points, shot a little starting fluid in the carb, and it fired up for a second!

I checked both spark plugs and I'm getting a nice blue spark.

The lights and horn still do not work, but we're getting there!

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:39 am

OH no I forgot to look at my parts bike for you, crap. : \ I've been so busy with work I haven't even had time to work on my own stuff at all. Well that's awesome that you have spark! That's the best news I've heard all week! I was annoyed with the lack of ignition just as you were.

I feel helpless when I can't be there helping out. As always, it's simple but that's why it's annoying, hehe. Good work!

aaron7 · Post by **aaron7** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:54 am

Any idea why I might not have power to anything else?

I checked the ignition switch against the shop manual and all seems fine.

aaron7 · Post by **aaron7** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:56 am

Could you check the rectifier connections against ground for me? One has 6v (as it's a direct line to the battery) but the other two have 1.6v or so. Wondering if that's correct or not.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:58 am

Crappy switches is probably the next place to look. They could easily have corrosion in them. I can't remember if you took them apart yet? They are really intricate! You'll be shocked and probable get angry when you have to put them back together... such a pain! But the moving parts in a circuit are always the first ones to troubleshoot.

Check em out.

aaron7 · Post by **aaron7** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:15 am

What switches are there though? Just horn and headlight right?

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:57 am

I don't know if this reply is too late about the spark issue. I think you just bought a crankshaft from me this week. I rebuilt a ca95 from bottom up and will be starting another shortly. The first place I would check is the green wire that connects to the points. This wire may be pinched or rubbed through and is grounded to the engine.

Then I would check if I have the switch in the right position to start. The ignition switch can be cleaned if you know how. I have done several.

Not having a headlight may be two things, it does not work, or the switch on the handlebar is in the middle position. The horn may not work as the diaphram my be bad or not adjusted. To check these items a continuity light is best.

And finally, if you leave the ignition switch in the "on" position too long (a few hours without the engine running) you can actually melt the insides. If you have melted the coil, you will see wax drippings, thus making your coil bad.

aaron7 · Post by **aaron7** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:02 pm

Yes, hi, I did just win that crank and I believe I was emailing you about the directionals as well.

I have nice white spark now. It was a bad set of points and then the timing was off.

I did not realize the bike wouldn't run without a fully charged battery. That would explain why it was almost running at first and then it was totally dead later on that day.

I have the battery on the charge and we'll try again soon.