No start help needed

[whiterider13]

Hello to all,

   This is my first post and I hope someone out there can help.  I have a 96 GS500E with a stage 3 jet kit and a yoshi exhaust that will not start. When I got the bike it was barely running due to gummed up carbs. I cleaned the carbs and got it running. The bike ran for about three minutes and died. I have not been able to get it started since. I just replaced the igniter and both coils and it still will not start. All it will do is turn over but it will not fire. After trying to start it I pulled the plugs and they are wet with gas, so I know it is getting fuel. I have no idea what the problem is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

[black and silver twin]

welcome to the board!

make sure the plugs are getting spark, even with new coils the pick up might be bad or there might be a bad ground causing no spark.

Did you crank it with the choke on? if its even a little cold the gs' dont start easily with out choke.

When it did run after cleaning the carbs, did it run good or rough? if the battery is low there wont be enough juice to fire the coils even if it turns over. also if its running to rich it might run untill the plugs are fouled then it will die and not start untill the plugs are cleaned off.

[whiterider13]

Thanks for the welcome.

I did try cranking it with the choke on and all it did was turn over slightly faster.

After cleaning the carbs it ran rough. Before I cleaned the carbs it was running fine at idle and ok in 1st gear but once I hit 2nd it would lose power and die.

I don't think it is getting spark but when I pulled the plugs, the left one was quite wet while the right plug was only slightly wet.

[black and silver twin]

you can check for spark a few ways

1 buy spark checker tool, it goes inline on top of the plug and is clear so spark is visible.

warning: the next two ways are done at your own risk, as there is a moderate chance of shock. the electricity from a coil is very high voltage ~20,000 volts but very low amps. volts hurt, amps kill. I have been shocked a few times by a coil doing both of the following methods, it hurts a little but did no damage to me whatsoever. but dont say i didnt warn you. 

2 install the plug in the head and put a nail or other small peice of metal in the connector of the wire that goes on the plug. do this in such a way that the metal makes good contact with the terminal inside and sticks out of the connector slightly. hold the nail with rubber handled pliersso the tip is 1mm or so away from the terminal on top of the plug. dont touch the bike. have a buddy crank the engine as you hold the metal 1mm from the plug terminal if there is spark you will hear it/ see it.
if there is no spark hold the metal 1mm from the block or head as it is cranked. if there is spark only when not on the plug then the plug is bad. if there is no spark on the block/head then the coil isnt firing.

3. remove the plug and install the wire on the plug. hold the plug with rubber handled pliers. hold the plug with the ground terminal touching the block/head. dont touch the bike. have a buddy crank it while you hold it. if there is spark you will see/hear it.

[whiterider13]

Ok, thanks. I will check it out and reply with my findings.

[DoD#i]

You replaced the igniter and coils, but not the plugs? Expensive approach there. Try new plugs.

Also possible you have got the carbs messed up so there's way too much fuel. Check the float levels. Things are fussy there, lots of folks don't get everything right the first time through.

and finally, what is the state of your air cleaner - could be it's filthy, plugged?

Spark, air, fuel - you need all three, and if you have all three, it should fire.