I finally got my ski put together after a year + of gathering parts and it won't fire. First the start switch wouldn't work so I bypassed it and unplugged the stop switch. Got that sorted and now it cranks but doesn't light. I normally would be in the swap parts until it works boat but do not have the spare cash to do that right now. Where is a good place to start checking? The stator, CDI and coil where all purchased used, described as "from a running ski" most of the bullet connectors look questionable (corroded, grungy). I was really looking forward to riding for the last month or two of the season...this sucks!
Super Jet Where to start with no spark situation?
- Thread starter yamanube
- Start date
- Location
- central florida
when your connectors get that gray looking corrosion they no longer conduct. Clean, scrape and apply (regular) grease to inhibit further corrosion. Old coils have issues with internally fractured high tension leads- usually within a few inches of the plugs- if you have a meter there should be continuity between the 2 leads (over 1 K usually)
No continuity between the high tension leads...looks like I need to get a new coil.
- Location
- central florida
If your coil wires are long enough, you might shorten them somewhat and see if you get continuity. Since you mentioned you did not wish to buy more things, you could also splice the wires 3/4 ways towards the ebox. Apply RTV to joint and cable and slip a 3" piece of 5/16 hose over the joint. Works well and is time proven, however is frowned upon by posers
naticen
Site Supporter
- Location
- wilmington, nc
I did a similar thing and it's tough because parts go bad at any moment. Mine at least ran for a week before the coil crapped out though. They get brittle and break up inside just from bending them. Most used stuff that I see is 10-20 years old.
I really like the thread I linked below for diagnosing electrical problems. People get scared of multimeters, but it takes a maximum of 30 minutes to check all the stuff in this thread and you rarely even have to set the beer down. Then you also have a benchmark if stuff acts weird in the future and numbers are already on the fringe of being good.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/electrical-ignition-system-trouble-shooting.37800/
I really like the thread I linked below for diagnosing electrical problems. People get scared of multimeters, but it takes a maximum of 30 minutes to check all the stuff in this thread and you rarely even have to set the beer down. Then you also have a benchmark if stuff acts weird in the future and numbers are already on the fringe of being good.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/electrical-ignition-system-trouble-shooting.37800/
naticen
Site Supporter
- Location
- wilmington, nc
Just twist some boots on one of the others. They can come from tons of different skis. Even a 550. Or JetManiac or whoever will sell some new MSD terminals to crimp on to them.
Captain PegLeg
GJP
- Location
- Villa Rica, Ga
Put one of those coils on and check for spark before you waste time putting ends on one........
naticen
Site Supporter
- Location
- wilmington, nc
They will be resistor type, so make sure you are in the 1000 range. I think it's somewhere around 1500 each but I forget. I leave them on the coil if I am testing a ski that just lost spark and I think they add 3000-3500 to the coil's resistance.