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Bike won't start after sparkplug change-fixed

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Chris750
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Joined: 08 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 20:55 - 13 Jun 2011    Post subject: Bike won't start after sparkplug change-fixed Reply with quote
I have changed the spark plugs. oil and coolant on my bike and now it won't start,
I do vaugly remember snagging one of the leads- sparkplug leads at the opposite end to the spark plug cap, I assumed if one of the leads was damaged it would start, but on three cylinders. Is this correct? If not then something else has hapend. I just wanted to hear it start so I know I've put it back together properly.

Also reterminating the spark plug lead- it says its a silicon cable, does this mean it has a silicon conductor? If so how does this effect termination?

Also if I take the plug out and rest it on the chassis, should be able to see a spark when I turn the engine over- I tried this on the suspect lead and couldn't see a spark, I tried it again on another lead as a control and couldn't see a spark either.

BTW the gaps are all set to measurements given in the haynes manual.
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Last edited by Chris750 on 20:59 - 15 Jun 2011; edited 1 time in total
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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Joined: 18 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: 21:03 - 13 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes you should see a spark as it earths on the chassis.

Therefore you have no spark. Check your connections into the CDI/coils. Chances are something just got unplugged.

Plugs are connected into the leads properly?
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Chris750
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PostPosted: 21:40 - 13 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big_Ham wrote:
Yes you should see a spark as it earths on the chassis.

Therefore you have no spark. Check your connections into the CDI/coils. Chances are something just got unplugged.

Plugs are connected into the leads properly?


I thought that would be the case - I will check the connections tommorrow and see if something has become unpluged

Also the plugs should be connected properly as I am pulling the rubber cap back, clipping the metal part onto the plug and then replacing the rubber cap. When I first took the caps off they were wedged on pretting well- is the any chance I could of damaged the leads pulling the caps off?
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stinkwheel
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 23:13 - 13 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Did you put the plug caps back on in the correct order?
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Chris750
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PostPosted: 12:11 - 14 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
stinkwheel wrote:
Did you put the plug caps back on in the correct order?



Yes I did, I have taken the off one at a time to avoid mixup.

I have had a quick look at the wiring to the coils and all looks O.K.
When I grounded the sparkplug this was done on the aluminium frame where the tank sits, I take it this should give me an OK ground. Should I be able to see the spark in normal lighting conditions?

Also:

When I changed the coolant- I filled it up just below where I thought it would need, planning on running the engine for a min then topping up by the coolant bottle to get the level perfect and repeat till it is fine.
If the coolant level is too low, is there a sensor to cut the electrics to stop the engine running with insufficient coolant?
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doggone
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Joined: 20 May 2004
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PostPosted: 13:11 - 14 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Chris750 wrote:


When I changed the coolant- I filled it up just below where I thought it would need, planning on running the engine for a min then topping up by the coolant bottle to get the level perfect and repeat till it is fine.
If the coolant level is too low, is there a sensor to cut the electrics to stop the engine running with insufficient coolant?


Not if it's almost full anyway.
Some engines will cut out if it begins to overheat.
Maybe a fuse has blown if you accidentally shorted something.
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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PostPosted: 19:36 - 14 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Have you checked the silly things like kill switch, or sidestand switch. Some bikes just cut the spark rather than the starter. and spark.
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Chris750
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PostPosted: 21:05 - 15 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Had another go at this today and all was well. I removed a plug to test for spark again and not only did it spark but the engine fired up and only two of the three pistons left in had caps on.
Did sound a bit rough running on 2 cylinders though.

Put it all back together and again it started fine on all cylinders.

I'm wondering whether I may have spilt soome coolant on the electrics when I filled the radiator and aftter it had time it dry it was fine.

Thanks for all your help

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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 14 years, 187 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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