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77 Shovelhead turns over but no spark at plugs

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by tlghd74, Jul 4, 2011.

  1. tlghd74

    tlghd74 New Member

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    I have a 77 Shovelhead that has been running fine. It has been converted to a dyna electronic ignition system using dyna coils. I went to crank it with the electric starter, but all it would do was turn over without any problem. But it would not crank, so I changed the ignition switch, then made sure my run off switch was working. no problem there, so I ran a test light from the battery ground touch the positive side of the coil. It showed it was not-getting power. I checked I'm not-getting fire from the coil to the spark plugs. I don't know what could have gone wrong with it, because it was running fine when I rode it last. can anyone tell me what may be causing me this trouble. I am at a complete loss. The bike is like new, I've bought it new in 77, I put everything new on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If someone can tell me how to tell if the electronic ingnition went out, and how to test the coils.
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2011
  2. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    I would start by checking any & all grounds , the coil should be a easy check , first double check plugs push them in real good , a ohms meter to the Leeds on the coil , should not show anything if it does it's open , not good , have key off , then key on , off should show nothing , on should
  3. tlghd74

    tlghd74 New Member

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    Thanks for the advice.
    tlghd74
  4. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Anytime & welcome to the site & good luck , let us know how she turns out :)
  5. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    To check coil, check from + post to - post with an ohm meter to verify it's good. The proper ohm rating will depend on which ignition you have. I have a Dyna-S ignition on my '70 FXWG and it has a 3.0 ohm coil. If your coil is good and it's getting power from the ignition switch (is it?) then your ignition module is prolly fried. It's happens very easily if the wires get shorted or touch the wrong thing on the bike it will fry. I know, I've done it twice.
    You can send your ignition back to Dyna and they will test it for you. It may be under warranty. Or you can swap your ignition out with another one or try yours on another bike.
    Whatever is easiest and cheaper for you.
    Good luck!.
    TC
  6. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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  7. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    Excellent info Lucifer~!
    I would add a note for tlghd74: You should be very careful when doing these ignition module tests. If you touch the wrong wire to the wrong thing your ignition will fry, if it isn't fried already. An example of this would be accidently dropping the negative ignition wire onto the positive wire on the soleniod. You will hear and smell some sizzle noise, smoke and burning for sure.
    Don't let the smoke out of the ignition module! This is bad!
  8. tlghd74

    tlghd74 New Member

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    I appreciate all of the feedback. I will try to trouble shoot it.
  9. woodymaster

    woodymaster New Member

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    you could take a wire and go direct from battery to coil to see if bike starts ,this is called hot wiring ,then if it works ,you must back track to find the wire ,that is not giving you power
  10. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    First thing to do it to get power to your coil.
  11. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    Check your fuses and connections in the ignition circuit,clean them and make sure they're tight and use a dab of dielectric grease on the contacts.
    Start at the battery and check for power all the way through the circuit,when you have no power you'll know it's between those 2 points where your problem is.
  12. tlghd74

    tlghd74 New Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback. I got in touch with Dynatek and they sent me a troubeshoot page. I'm still not sure how to test the ignition module. So I am going to attemp that first. To see if I'm getting fire to the coils, and then proceed from there.
  13. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    Just be careful to not fry it accidently.

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