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ratfab · 08-23-2010, 02:46 PM

So, my neighbor bought a 1980 Suzuki GS550 and we're not getting any spark. I'm not really a bike guy but he wants to get into it so I said I'd help him out. Anyway...the motor turns over just fine but after pulling a plug to check for spark there was none. One of the coils started to get a bit hot after turning it over a few times. Is this an issue? How do we check to see if the coils are good or not? What are the other things to check as far as the ignition goes. any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Sam.

seruzawa · 08-24-2010, 05:34 AM

The ignition is like any other electronic ignition. You have pickups, coils, a spark unit and the plugs and wires. Any of those or any combination can be bad.

A coil shouldn't get hot though. It's probably bad. If that's all that's wrong then you should be getting sparks from the other coil. If not your picks or spark unit can be bad. Pickups should read only a few ohms. A spark unit is not testable.

08-23-2010, 02:46 PM	#1
ratfab Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1	no spark? So, my neighbor bought a 1980 Suzuki GS550 and we're not getting any spark. I'm not really a bike guy but he wants to get into it so I said I'd help him out. Anyway...the motor turns over just fine but after pulling a plug to check for spark there was none. One of the coils started to get a bit hot after turning it over a few times. Is this an issue? How do we check to see if the coils are good or not? What are the other things to check as far as the ignition goes. any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Sam.

08-24-2010, 05:34 AM	#2
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	The ignition is like any other electronic ignition. You have pickups, coils, a spark unit and the plugs and wires. Any of those or any combination can be bad. A coil shouldn't get hot though. It's probably bad. If that's all that's wrong then you should be getting sparks from the other coil. If not your picks or spark unit can be bad. Pickups should read only a few ohms. A spark unit is not testable. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

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