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X7 Lost all its sparks!

Discussion in 'Suzuki 250cc 2 Strokes' started by Arthur F, Feb 18, 2014.

  1. Arthur F

    Arthur F Member

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    G'day All,
    I have replaced the throttle and Oil pump cables, cleaned the carbs (blown out the jets etc), checked Cold Start system, and I thought all would be well!. Wrong!.
    The bike started OK, ran and revved for a while, but very difficult to keep running and now will not even start. I have checked the plugs and there is no spark at them - so looks like my hopes were ill formed!.

    Being used to points I could have checked that to see if power was getting that far, but with CDI ignition, I am not really sure where to start. Tomorrow I will re-charge to battery to ensure that that is OK (seemed Ok since the head lights go on, without dimming down).

    Looking for suggestions and what to look at next.

    Oh BTW are the CDI units reliable and do they stay that way?. My bike was manufactured August 1979.

    Sorry to be a nuisance, but I am starting to struggle.
    Thanks, Arthur
     
  2. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Put a multimeter on the battery after charging it overnight ......
    http://2fiftycc.com/index.php?threads/how-do-i-test-my-12-volt-battery-and-charging-system.1794/

    Pull off the plug caps and look for corrosion etc inside where the clip is that goes on the plug
    Unscrew the caps off the leads to see what the connection is like into the lead.
    Snip a few mms off the ends (of the leads) to give it some fresh wire to screw into.

    Take out a plug and re connect it to the lead and lay it on the head and just turn over the motor to check for spark.

    Use a multimeter to test the primary and secondary resistance of the coils.

    Pull off all the connections for the CDI and check them for corrosion , dirt etc and have a look for damage or breaks in connectors and wiring with the CDI and coils etc.

    I dont know about your CDI type in particular but yes they can die.

    And we like nuisances .... they keep the forum going ..... :D
     
  3. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    All what Grey said, plus look at connection to key and stop button (if fitted). Make sure you are getting the right voltage at the coils, maybe connected with flat battery.
     
  4. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Is the test information not outlined in the workshop manual?
     
  5. mboddy

    mboddy Well-Known Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Most 2strokes with CDI do not need the battery for the ignition.
     
  6. Arthur F

    Arthur F Member

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    G'day All, Many thanks to those who have responded - I am trying each of the suggestions to see how far I can get. The most interesting fact seems to be that I definitely do not know as much as I thought I did!!!
    Ok checked all the connections and cleaned them off - they all seem OK. (initially I then got a weak spark). Today I have no sparks at all (not even the weak ones of yesterday)!
    Did a check on the CDI (following instructions in manual) and all seemed OK, except that I could not get meaningful reaction for those tests which should read "Con" for condenser (did not get any deflection on the tester). I have a friend who knows more of CDI units than I do, so I will ask for his help.
    Battery is giving 12.6volts.
    Coil has Primary of 1 ohm, secondary of 30K Ohms (thanks GreyImport for info on how to check that).
    How do I check the voltage getting to the ignition coil?. (Does it only get voltage when the CDI sends a signal on the White/Blue wire, the Black/White being earth?).
    Really showing my ignorance - but I need to learn!!
    Thanks, Arthur
     
  7. Arthur F

    Arthur F Member

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    G'day All,
    Just a quick update. Fiddling with the ignition coil we managed to get a nice spark, and get the bike to fire up. Then putting the petrol tank back on, I must have moved/touched/disturbed something, and lost all the sparks again. We are not quite sure what the problem is, but have 2 possibilities - the HT leads do not seem to be a good fit in the coil (pushing them back in was one of the things which got us back to a spark), - the second was tightening up the coil in the frame (by not having the front nut absolutely tight we were able to get a spark). However neither of these worked after putting the tank back on!. So I am looking for a new ignition coil!.
    Cheers for now, Arthur
     
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  8. Willrcr15

    Willrcr15 Well-Known Member

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    If you can pull the lead out of the coil then snip 10mm off it & re fit it then try again if it's good then get some 5 min Araldite & glue it in. On the FZR the lead just pushes onto a pin & rely's on a clip to hold it down but they break & go missing, Araldite fixes everything.
     
  9. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Hey Arthur
    You had me wondering with you lack of spark, seems you've found the problem, now to fix it.
    My X7 is in Brisbane at Chris's place along with spares, am certain I did not have any spare coils to help you out.
    Most parts I found on Ebay UK, parts galore in the UK.
    Good luck with it mate, we are watching.:lolsign:
     
  10. Arthur F

    Arthur F Member

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    Hi All,
    Well got a new coil for X7 (actually a Yamaha coil from an RZ) and put it into the bike - fired up first kick, and has stayed going for the last 10 days.
    New problem however - it is smokier than I expected. Let me elaborate - smokey at start up which is common enough for 2strokes. When it is warmed up a bit, the smokiness disappears, until I use a bit more throttle and a few more revs to get over 80kph when the smokiness comes back again.
    I did not expect it to be smokey like this when warm - I believed one of the benefits of direct oil injection was less "pollution"?.
    I have already checked the oil injection using the hole in the side of the carburettor (and thought that I had it right).
    So any suggestions, what should I check out?. Thanks, Arthur
     
  11. noah

    noah Active Member

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    glad to see you sorted the spark issue as its sole destroying when you do some maintenance and get an issue like that

    as for the oil pump cable did you line all the marks up

    as suzuki quite standard system on most of their 2t

    also make sure that the return spring on the pump is bring back the pump to rest on the idle position

    i was caught out like that on the rgv

    just my experience
     

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