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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: jcbdc on May 30, 2004, 04:00:42 PM

Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: jcbdc on May 30, 2004, 04:00:42 PM
Please HELP!  I just recently bought a 1998 GS500.  Love the bike, but the battery had leaked.  So I cleaned up and repainted the frame.  Put her back together and had her running.  
Decided it was time for a ride and now she won't start!  I have fuel, but no spark!  How do I fix it? :x
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: werase643 on May 30, 2004, 04:10:50 PM
not to be a smart ass but..... we need to isolate the problem before we can fix it.....
do you have a key?
if yes....
does anything happen when you try to start the bike?
lights?
click?
.....people will help but we are not mind readers
check fuses
check connectors near the battery
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: jcbdc on May 30, 2004, 07:30:48 PM
Some more info for you.  I checked the fuel and the carbs are good.  All the lights work, the engine turns over.  I took out the sparkplugs and placed them against the engine to get a spark and nothing.  Both don't work.  I thought it may be the coil but isn't there 2 coils on the bike?  I doubt the both would go.  I thought it may be something simple that I'm over looking.   I disconnected the battery and reconnected...thought it would reset it.  Replaced the fuse also, however, everything else works fine on the bike.  Does anyone have any ideas?
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: jcbdc on May 30, 2004, 07:31:34 PM
Some more info for you.  I checked the fuel and the carbs are good.  All the lights work, the engine turns over.  I took out the sparkplugs and placed them against the engine to get a spark and nothing.  Both don't work.  I thought it may be the coil but isn't there 2 coils on the bike?  I doubt the both would go.  I thought it may be something simple that I'm over looking.   I disconnected the battery and reconnected...thought it would reset it.  Replaced the fuse also, however, everything else works fine on the bike.  Does anyone have any ideas?
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: werase643 on May 30, 2004, 07:53:21 PM
remove the tail plastic
check the connections on the ignitor unit..(CDI box)
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: Kerry on May 31, 2004, 01:18:54 AM
Quote from: werase643remove the tail plastic
check the connections on the ignitor unit..(CDI box)
Here is the applicable portion of the Haynes wiring diagram:



I would check the 4-wire connector shown above the Pulse generator coils, and the 3-wire and 4-wire connectors shown above the Ignition control unit.

"OK, but where ARE they?" you ask.  Fair question!

After pulling the left-side "tail plastic", you should see all three connectors (plus an unrelated single-wire connector on a blue wire):


The black 4-wire connector at the left of the "bundle" is the one that leads to the Pulse generator coils.  The two white connectors lead to the Ignition control unit.  The 3-wire connector on the right is shown pulled apart.

Make sure that each connector is pushed tightly together.  If you have to, use an ohmmeter or a continuity tester (with batteries) to make sure the connections through the connectors are good.

EDIT: Changed links from sisna.com and gs500e.co.uk to bbburma.net
Title: Ignition problems.....please help!
Post by: jcbdc on May 31, 2004, 08:29:35 AM
Thanks soooo much for the info.  I'll try it out.  Wish me luck! Jason