Engine no longer running...possible no spark?

[jared3377]

Hello All,

I just want to apologize 'cause I'm sure the answer to this is in the forum somewhere, but I just couldn't find any answers (please forgive my noob-ness). Also, I think this site is great and am not sure what I'd do without it.

Anyhoo, I've had my HT for about 3 months and have ridden it around 500 miles, having a blast with it. However, a couple of days ago I was taking a cruise down by the Mississippi River when it just quit on me.

I've pulled the plug, cleaned it up, gapped it, and put it back, but I'm getting nothing. Since it does give a little putt-putt sound when I'm trying to pedal-start it, I'm assuming there's compression but maybe no spark?

I think my next step is to find an NGK plug to replace the stock one, but I don't have much hope for that for some reason. I'm thinking the wiring might need to be replaced but am not sure...

One thing I did do that day was to take it to the car wash to lightly spray away road dust and oil, but it was running fine on the way home and fine an hour or so later when I took it down by the river--however, I'm wondering if I got some moisture into the electrics...

Any advice or leads to postings that would help would be much appreciated. Thanks all!

Jared
St. Cloud, Minnesota

 

[graucho]

Hi Jared, try a few of these and see if any will help.
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=8565&highlight=no+spark
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=9619
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=10270&highlight=no+spark
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=9334&highlight=no+spark

 

[fastboy9]

I've got a feeling its the electrics on the engine side (magneto/coil), perhaps water has got into the magneto cover and damaged it that way.

 

[jared3377]

Thanks for the quick replies...I have yet to review all the posts about it and am hoping nothing's too serious.

The magneto thing scares me because I wonder if maybe I did get some water in there by using the pressure washer. I try to be careful, but...

I'll have to look into what I can do if it is the magneto. It might be a bit more complicated than what I'm used to repairing on the bike. Thanks again!

 

[BSA]

Thanks for the quick replies...I have yet to review all the posts about it and am hoping nothing's too serious.

The magneto thing scares me because I wonder if maybe I did get some water in there by using the pressure washer. I try to be careful, but...

I'll have to look into what I can do if it is the magneto. It might be a bit more complicated than what I'm used to repairing on the bike. Thanks again!

If it has been sprayed with a jet wash it is almost certainly the case that the magneto has got wet and failed.

BSA

 

[sideshowsideswipe]

I think particulate is your problem. Take apart your carb, pull out the brass pin holder, blow/poke out the gunk from your carb pin-seat and re-assemble. You are not getting fuel through your carb. Get an inline fuel filter so the particulate doesn't build up on your carb pin again.

<img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/feckineejit/New_Starfire_54.jpg">

the brass thing with securing pin is not pictured here, but it keeps part #45 in place. you need to clear the gunk out of the area that #45 goes into.

 

[fastboy9]

PRESSURE WASHER??!! Yeah I think that its almost definetely the problem, I only left my bike out in the rain for like 20 minutes and it got into the magneto. Just needs replacing, I've never experienced any electrical problems though, so dont buy one just because I suggested, but that does sound like the problem.

 

[jared3377]

PRESSURE WASHER??!! Yeah I think that its almost definetely the problem, I only left my bike out in the rain for like 20 minutes and it got into the magneto. Just needs replacing, I've never experienced any electrical problems though, so dont buy one just because I suggested, but that does sound like the problem.

HAHA! Yeah, yeah, yeah--I know it was stupid! I just wanted a nice shiny ride, ya know, and I didn't know...(but now I'd better!). I'm leaving a fan the magneto tonight. I'm sure that's probably it but maybe not--live and learn, I guess...

 

[jared3377]

Well, I left a fan on the magneto with the cover off overnight, but it still seems to be a no-go. I think this weekend I'll spend some time with it, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to get some new parts. I'm searching for parts on the net right now, but I haven't found anything yet...

 

[misteright1_99]

Just look at one of the vendors on this page to the left. They have the magnetos. I don't know what else you might need, maybe a gasket. they prob. have them also....