Electric Troubleshooting: (Battery, Charging, Ignition, Indicators)
Battery
Battery Won't Charge
• battery dead
• electrolyte level low
• charging system wires broken or shorting
• battery terminals loose or dirty
• voltage regulator defect
• rectifier defect
• alternator brushes worn
• rotor windings broken
Excessive Charging
• battery plates shorting
• regulator not earthed properly
• regulator kaputt
Unstable Charging
• intermittent short in wiring
• intermittent coil operation in alternator
• mechanical regulator points dirty
• key switch defective
The Battery Should Read As Follows (Yamaha XS650 Specs ONLY):
12.6V (at idle)
13.5V (at 1200rpm)
14.5V (at 3000rpm)
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Ignition
No Spark/Weak Spark
• battery kaputt or flat
• coils
• spark plug, plug cap, leads
• kill switch
• main switch
• fuse
• broken or dirty connection
Points Burnt or Pitted
• condensers
Oil-Fouled Spark Plugs
• worn - rings, bore, valve guides, or seals
• blown head gasket
Carbon-Fouled Spark Plugs
• too rich
• idle speed too high
• plugs too cold
Electrodes Burnt/Overheated Spark Plugs
• too lean
• ign timing wrong
• plugs too hot
• engine overheating
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Indicators/Turn Signals
No Light
• bulb burnt
• no earth
• connection broken
No Flash
• battery low
blink speed varies with rpm
• battery low
• flasher unit broken