Gremlins!

78 kz650c2. Hello again fellas. I'm having some electrical issues. I was riding last week when my bike started to run like shit. I took the points cover off and noticed some major arcing at the points. Figured the condenser was shot so I ordered a new one and new points as well. Hooked them up but I still have an issue.

When I turn on the ignition, my lights all work, but when I turn the killswitch on, the lights go dim and voltage at the battery goes down to about 3v. However I noticed that when I open whatever point is currently closed, the voltage returns to normal. There is power getting to them. I checked my connections and all were good. Not sure where to go from here.

A short in the coils?
Steve

How do I go about testing those? Check the resistance in the coils?

First unplug them, then do the OHM test.
Steve

could they both have fried from the condenser failing? Seems unlikely but I'm no expert. When I hooked up a different cool, the problem persisted.

Ok so, I checked both coils and they're with the specified resistance range. And they've got power going in and power coming out. But as soon as I hook them up, the voltage just drops. I've tried several other coils as well, same results. As soon as they're grounded is when the voltage drops

vondikka wrote: Ok so, I checked both coils and they're with the specified resistance range. And they've got power going in and power coming out. But as soon as I hook them up, the voltage just drops. I've tried several other coils as well, same results. As soon as they're grounded is when the voltage drops

Slip a piece of paper in between the two points if you have them connected. The points being grounded complete the circuit and there will be a large voltage drop across 3-5 ohms at 12 v.

Yes, that's what happens. Open the point and the voltage drops

Have you got a service manual for your bike?
Go through some of the ignition tests.
If you don't have a manual, I can post up some troubleshooting info.

Do check that the ground wire off the battery's negative terminal to the engine/frame mount is making a good, clean and tight connection on both ends.

Oh, and get yourself, no scratch that, get someone to give you (they work better that way, supposedly) a Gremlin Bell.
Supposed to keep Gremlins away.

Oh! Now I know what those bells are for! My friends bike had one on it when he bought it.

But yeah, I have the manual . I've run some tests already according to the manual, but I'm not entirely familiar with the terminology, so I'm not very confident in all my results . For example for testing ohms, it recommends setting the tester to Rx1 and Rx100 but the tester I have has settings like 20m, 200k, 20k etc. not sure how to convert that.

Th

what are the readings supposed to be? and list exactly what settings your meter has... i can help

20M = 20,000,000 ohms.
200K = 200,000 ohms.
20K = 20,000 ohms
2K = 2000 0hms
200 = 200 ohms
etc

You are looking for a setting that gives a reading that makes sense around 22,000 ohms to 26,000 ohms.
Maybe the 200K setting.
The resistance of the primary in your coil should be around 22,000 to 24,000 ohms....