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weak spark

6785 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by qwerty, Jun 21, 2011

rick martin

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2011

My 1996 200 has always had a hard time starting, I've rebuilt the motor because compression was weak.

made it around the block and it died, the compression is very good, but the spark is weak - Do I need a magneto?

The battery has been replaced twice and the starter seems to really drag (the starter was replaced 6 months ago)

I seem to have an electrical problem, but don't know what to try next.

any thoughts?

Thanks

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mrlmd

· #2 · Jun 3, 2011

I assume you are using the choke correctly to start the bike?

What do you mean you have a weak spark? How did you test it for being "weak"? What does the plug look like?

Did you measure the voltage at the battery with the engine running? That will tell you real quick what voltage you are putting out going into your battery and if the charging system is working appropriately.

And what do you mean by the starter drags? Running or turning over slowly? Have you cleaned all your battery and starter connections and ground of corrosion and made sure they are clean and tight?

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mrlmd

· #6 · Jun 4, 2011

I'm really not trying to be nasty and we all want to try and help you, but, did you read my previous post and do it?

"Did you measure the voltage at the battery with the engine running? That will tell you real quick what voltage you are putting out going into your battery and if the charging system is working appropriately."

If you don't do that first to get some idea of what's going on, you are wasting your time and ours.

Why are you jumping around and looking for trouble where it probably may not exist? I would bet our problem is in the battery and how you are using it or maintaining it but if you don't check your charging system you will never know what the problem is.

You have replaced your battery twice - Why? What type of battery did you get? If it was an AGM or VRLA they have to be fully charged up before first use or they will NEVER hold a full charge after you use it once or twice to start the bike. You don't fill them with acid or take them off the shelf and use them out of the box.

Were those old batteries fully charged up on a suitable size charger and then load tested to see if they were any good, or did someone tell you they were "bad" and sold you another one? Or are you just going out and buying things without knowing if they need replacement or not?

And you need the choke to start these- that's standard operating procedure.

When you turn the bike off, walk around and make sure you haven't left any lights on.

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