1986 Ninja 1000R, ignition problem

[greg.hennessy]

Hi all,

I need some help here with my 86 Ninja 1000R, and I hope someone has a pointer or two. Basically I am not getting power to the coils on start. The circuits to the fuse block, igniter and coils all check out fine. I have re-gapped the pulse coils to factory specs, checked for loose grounds and the plug leads are in excellent shape.

I have replaced the coils, igniter and plug wires as well. The bike was running just fine until I re-built the carbs and was in the process of balancing them when the ignition system failed.

Power is getting to the starter and igniter, but that's as far as it goes. I also replaced the neutral safety and side stand switch. Any ideas here on what I may have missed or need to do?

Thanks a bunch,

Greg

[GREENISBEST]

Hi And Welcome to the Nut House.Greg

When you turn the Ignition on and the Kill switch is in the run position are you getting 12volts to the Ignition Coils..?

[greg.hennessy]

Hi And Welcome to the Nut House.Greg

When you turn the Ignition on and the Kill switch is in the run position are you getting 12volts to the Ignition Coils..?

Hmmm...can't recall, but I'll check again. If I don't see that result, what would you recommend?

Greg

[GREENISBEST]

Check feed to and from the Ignition switch.
Under the Air Box you will find the Block connector for the Ignition switch, I would check at this point for starters..
The picture below is a 636 but the White connector will be very similar apart from the wire combination..

[greg.hennessy]

Excellent! Thanks very much. I'll check that and then test voltage from the ignition switch to the coils.

Greg

[capetry]

If not, let me know, I own one, and bought it very cheap because it had eletrical problems. Today it´s running fine.

[greg.hennessy]

Hi and Thanks for your message. I checked the voltage to the coils and sure enough, I am getting a solid 12 volts. I now need to replace the starter before I can really test the ignition system.

If I can't get a spark to the plugs, I'll let you know.

Thanks again,

Greg

[greg.hennessy]

Hi And Welcome to the Nut House.Greg

When you turn the Ignition on and the Kill switch is in the run position are you getting 12volts to the Ignition Coils..?

Hi Greenisbest,

Well, the new starter is in and works great. I am getting 12 volts to the coils with the kill switch on. The engine turns over well. Power from the fuse block, igniter and pulse coils all check out with a solid 12 volts, no parity or ground issues and still no sparky to the plugs. I really think that this is ground issue on the coil side.

Today, I am replacing the old stock exhaust system with a nice Vance&Hines 4to1, re-jetting the carbs and I hope to find the electrical issue so the beasty can run.

The weather here in Toronto, Ontario is warmer and man do I need to ride!

Any tips would be appreciated!

Greg

[greg.hennessy]

If not, let me know, I own one, and bought it very cheap because it had eletrical problems. Today it´s running fine.

Hi Capetry,

I am hopeful that I can fix the electrical issue. I think it might be a simple grounding issue, but it is hard to say right now.

Greenisbest had a few pointers and I am going to try his suggestions:
Well, the new starter is in and works great. I am getting 12 volts to the coils with the kill switch on. The engine turns over well. Power from the fuse block, igniter and pulse coils all check out with a solid 12 volts, no parity or ground issues and still no sparky to the plugs. I really think that this is ground issue on the coil side.

Today, I am replacing the old stock exhaust system with a nice Vance&Hines 4to1, re-jetting the carbs and I hope to find the electrical issue so the beasty can run.

The weather here in Toronto, Ontario is warmer and man do I need to ride!

Any tips would be appreciated!

[capetry]

Well, you have a voltmeter right. Measure two things ( by the way, I´m not sure but I don´t if you shoud be getting 12V on the pulse coils). Any how, you should get pulses on the pulse coil when you crank the bike, you can easily see that using a anolog voltmeter. If thats is ok, check to see if you get pulses on the spark plug coils while cranking. Also check the gap of the pulse coils to the teethed wheel. If my memory is not failling me, should be .8 mm.
If you´re getting pulse from the pulse coil, but not to the spark coil, see if your neutral, clutch and side stand switches are working ok.
You´re still have the diodes that go between the ignition module and those switches I mentioned, measure all diodes in the fuse box.
If any of it is the problem, let me know, I´ll look at my manual, to see what kind of signal you should be getting in each wire of the ignition module.

I know how you feel, here in Brazil, right now, the weather is not warm, but is very good for ridding, but I´m waitting on some parts.


Good Luck
Carlos

[greg.hennessy]

Carlos my friend - This, I believe, will do the trick and solve the ignition riddle. I am going to try this test sequence right now and let you know how it goes.

I checked the manual and indeed, the pulse coil gap is.8mm.

Thanks very much,

Greg

[greg.hennessy]

Well, you have a voltmeter right. Measure two things ( by the way, I´m not sure but I don´t if you shoud be getting 12V on the pulse coils). Any how, you should get pulses on the pulse coil when you crank the bike, you can easily see that using a anolog voltmeter. If thats is ok, check to see if you get pulses on the spark plug coils while cranking. Also check the gap of the pulse coils to the teethed wheel. If my memory is not failling me, should be .8 mm.
If you´re getting pulse from the pulse coil, but not to the spark coil, see if your neutral, clutch and side stand switches are working ok.
You´re still have the diodes that go between the ignition module and those switches I mentioned, measure all diodes in the fuse box.
If any of it is the problem, let me know, I´ll look at my manual, to see what kind of signal you should be getting in each wire of the ignition module.

I know how you feel, here in Brazil, right now, the weather is not warm, but is very good for ridding, but I´m waitting on some parts.


Good Luck
Carlos

Hi Carlos,

So, all the electrics check out. One problem though, or more, it seems that the starter solenoid or starter clutch are in need of replacing. The new starter turns but the engine does not turn-over. At this point, I have to replace the solenoid, start switch and the stater safety switch.

Man, what a task trying to revive this bike....

Greg

[capetry]

I´m sure you´ll get rewarded once you get it running, it´s a really great bike, I don´t change mine for any other one.
Once you get it cranking again, let me know, so we can keep on with the diagnoses of your ignition.