Cant figure out Spark?? 1980 KZ650

OK.....after doing many searches. I have been trying to trace down my No Spark issue. I have tried new coils, new battery,....checked power on all connections to coils...regulator/rectifier...checked points gap.. and checked battery ground to the frame....all checked out ok.

I have got a couple of other regulator/rectifiers from other bikes......but my KZ650 uses a 5 wire connection and my others use a 6 wire connection....so I don't think they will work.

My bike turns over but get absolutely no spark to the plugs.

Please help!!

Thanks in Advance

Welcome to KZr bhppy101.

The only things I didn't see you mention checking were the condensors, whether the spark advancer is functioning and not rusted/corroded, if timing is set correctly, spark plug caps, and installing new spark plugs.

I know it's simple stuff, but sometimes the simpliest things that may have been overlooked turn out to be the problem(s).

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/01/07 21:12

Thanks for the reply....I'l go out and get some new points and condensors to see if that works. This is really getting frustrating....

Its like me, I got no spark and I have been through almost everything but I will get new sparkplugs to see if that will work also

bhappy101, Welcome to KZrider! First thing, put your bike year/model and your location in your signature... edit profile to do this. If someone is local, they may be able to help.

Next, how do you know you have no spark? By what means did you determine this?

Thanks for the welcome!

Well I checked both grounding the plug to the case....than I removed the plug wire from the coil and used a meter directly to the coil output. I got nothing....Zero volts...

Post edited by: bhppy101, at: 2007/01/08 16:55

I am surprised you didn't fry your meter. My first question is do you have the same plugs that you bought the bike with? If so your plug might be retired like how mine was. What to do is to see if you have voltage going to the coils. Then check the resistance across your coils. Tell us your readings. I wouldn't put my meter in the way of 18,000 plus volts like you did.

First thing I would do is go to one of the auto parts store and get one of those spark checkers you put on the end of your plug wire and then to plug, They work great(about 5 bucks at AutoZone). If that doesn't work I think you have a direct ground somewhere. Have you checked the kill switch,then the ignition wires up to your coils.

Post edited by: ridgerunner, at: 2007/01/08 21:55

Do you have a manual to check everything with? I also have a '80 KZ650 and the wiring is slightly differant from the earlier ones... Where in SoCal are you?

I'm in Camarillo.....Where are you at?

I'll check the kill switch tonight.....But if my kill switch was bad....I thought my bike wouldnt even turn over.

Power to turn the bike over comes from the ignition switch over to the kill switch. It comes out of the kill switch and one leg goes to your starter button and one leg goes to your coils to power them.

There are a number of reasons you may not be getting spark. First thing is to measure voltage at the coils. There is a yellow/red or pink or red wire connected to each coil. Turn the key on and use a multimeter to measure voltage. Put the meter in VDC scale. The bike need not be running. You should get about 12.2 VDC. If the coils are not powered, they won't spark. If you DO have power at the coils, then we need to look at the ignition and coils. Do you have points or an electronic ignition?

Also, if the bike is turning over, that means the battery must have some power and that means the charging system isn't the culprit for the "no spark" condition. I check spark by removing a spark plug from the engine, putting it in its plug cap and holding the electrode near the engine case and turning the bike over. You can then see the spark jump. If the coils have very poor power you may not be able to see the spark.

Post edited by: wiredgeorge, at: 2007/01/09 08:45