fenbrancis
XS650 Addict
After doing some reading it looks like I can use the 1980 tci box as long as I remove the side stand switch wire and remove the switch and relay. I have a 1980 box, worth a try?
I checked the voltage into the ignitor this morning, 12vDo you mean the relay for engaging the Starter? Is the starter also not working? In terms of the ignitor, there is a set of relays....clutch and sidestand that will disable the tci board. I believe you just remove them. If you want to check it. Put a voltmeter on that pin on the ignitor connector. If there is a ground there then the ignitor output is disabled. I will dig my notes out tomorrow morning to confirm this one with the color code of the wire.
I took a look into this, and purchased one. Is it really this simple of making sure its plugged correctly and checking ignition timing?Do a search here for "Gonzo Ignition." It's a $20 replacement for the TCI box.
Thanks for the diagram, going back to what you had mentioned earlier about checking voltage going in and out of coil.For the most part, yeah. You'll need to pick up the connectors to make a pigtail and might have to swap polarity on the pickup... possibly file the slot larger on the pickup to adjust timing.... but yeah, it's a pretty simple mod. Here's the pigtail diagram.
View attachment 214650
Didn't mean for you to check in and out voltages... was asking which end you checked.Thanks for the diagram, going back to what you had mentioned earlier about checking voltage going in and out of coil.
I tested the voltage of the orange trigger and the red white 12v wire, with the key switch on both were getting twelve volts. Is there a way to test if a signal is actually being sent from the tci to the coil? That would tell me real quick if my tci is busted
Hadnt tried it yet, wanted to ask to be sure.Didn't mean for you to check in and out voltages... was asking which end you checked.
No way to test the signal that I'm aware of.
Did you try the ground "tap" test on the coil?
Yes. Just to clarify, you're tapping the orange that's attached to the coil... that one to ground.That all sound right? If that sparks that means coils should be good
Nice, I unplugged that relay along with the plug to the actual swith. Still no spark, The only way the clutch switch could be causing this issue is if the bike was in gear and the clutch wasn't pulled in correct?When removing the sidestand switch and relay, there's no need to remove any other wires. The TCI is put to ground and the spark disabled inside the relay. Remove the relay and you eliminate the possibility of that happening. All the original wires in the harness and relay plug can stay.
That circuit controls the starter motor.... has nothing to do with the TCI.The only way the clutch switch could be causing this issue is if the bike was in gear and the clutch wasn't pulled in correct?
Alright, so i set it up how youmentioned. Beautiful blue spark, but not where I was expecting it. The spark occurred where I touched the orange from the coil to the ground, not on the sparkplug (splarkplug was new and grounded to cylinder fin)That circuit controls the starter motor.... has nothing to do with the TCI.
Thanks for the information! I may remove that one in time but probably will keep it fo now as it doesnt seem to be causing any issues with the starter.Yes, the clutch switch and it's associated relay work on the starter solenoid and will not effect spark or the TCI. If those parts crap out, your electric starter will not work is all, you'd still have spark. So, I don't consider it as important to eliminate this relay and switch as I do with the sidestand ones. But to simplify things and ward off possible issues with the 40+ year old components, you can eliminate it if you like. However, when removing this relay, you must install a jumper wire. Power to operate the solenoid is fed to it on a R/W wire from the starter/headlight safety relay. This wire passes through the clutch switch relay. When you remove the relay, you break that connection so the two R/W wires in the relay harness plug must be jumpered together to restore it .....
I am sure you already mentioned this to me but want to be sure. When unplugging the side stand swith and relay, you dont need to run any jump wires do you? Simply unplug and dont worry about it?When removing the sidestand switch and relay, there's no need to remove any other wires. The TCI is put to ground and the spark disabled inside the relay. Remove the relay and you eliminate the possibility of that happening. All the original wires in the harness and relay plug can stay.
Did you have both plugs connected and grounded?Alright, so i set it up how youmentioned. Beautiful blue spark, but not where I was expecting it. The spark occurred where I touched the orange from the coil to the ground, not on the sparkplug (splarkplug was new and grounded to cylinder fin)
Alright I tried a second time with brand new plugs. Spark to the plugs on both sides.Did you have both plugs connected and grounded?
Closin' the gate after the horse..... but did you try 2 new plugs?
Spark on the orange wire is normal. It's a coil/inductance thing....