No Spark! What’s Wrong?
If you like to ride motorcycles, there is a very good chance that sooner or later you will experience a “No Spark” situation. The scope of this article will focus on visual observations, the use of a multimeter or bulb tester, and the appropriate process of elimination to determine why your motorcycle spark plug(s) is not firing correctly.
Make sure your motorcyle keeps its spark with E3 motorcycle spark plugs.
1) The easiest starting point is to remove one of the motorcycle’s spark plugs and re-attach the spark plug wire. Holding the loose plug by its ceramic insulator, make certain the plug’s metal base is well grounded. Then, have someone bump the ignition switch or kick starter while you observe the plug’s ground electrode. If you see a blue or yellow spark bridge the gap, then you should have adequate fire to ignite the fuel/air mixture in that cylinder. If not:
2) Be certain the motorcycle is turned on. That sounds simple but ignition switches can fail. Plus, on many newer models of street bikes, the motorcycle’s anti-theft system must receive a specified flow of juice or the engine will not start. This prevents a would-be thief from by-passing the switch and “hot wiring” the motorcycle’s ignition. With the key or switch in the “On” position, your multi-tester should display a positive electrical flow leaving the switch. If not, the switch may be broken or may have lost its ground. (more…)
