98 Sportster 1800, one engine 0 spark. Can anyone help with simple terms??

[bobbobobbo]

So I've been looking through all the threads, but I'm just lost and it's right before the 4th.

Was heading back last Friday (no wake stretch) when my left engine kept cutting out. I'd restart it, then little bit along the way it cut out again. It did this about 3 times until it wouldn't start at all...

When I finally got home I threw my spark plug tester on and there's no spark. The left side fires up just fine. The battery is fine and everything has been cleaned/serviced very recently.

I'm lost where to start? People are describing things that I don't know quite where to look. If anyone has a free chance and is feeling generous, could you by chance break it down simply what I should do, starting from the easiest?

 

[jhjesse]

I would replace the spark plugs.
Unscrew the plug caps off the plug wires and cut them back about 1/4" and screw the caps back on.

If no luck then I would test the ignition coil. It is in the black box where the plug wires come out of. The top of the box will lift off. The simplest way is to just swap the left engine coil to the right engine and see if it fires. If so then you have found your problem and will need a ignition coil.

Try that first. Good luck.

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche...a=172&b=29&c=0&d=-ELECTRICAL---ENGINE-HARNESS

 

[LouDoo]

Something quick, easy and cheap. Unscrew the spark plug caps, cut about 1/4" off the end of the spark plug cable, screw the caps back on.

Lou

 

[bobbobobbo]

Trimmed off the ends, still no spark.

The ignition coil is the entire module that comes out of that box? Or just a part.

Would that be the next logical thing causing no spark? If so can I grab this coil at a local store or is it a seadoo coil..

 

[USAF_Pride]

You have two of everything in your boat. Swap the ebox's around and see what happens. If the problem follows the box, then you know where your problem lies.

 

[bobbobobbo]

You have two of everything in your boat. Swap the ebox's around and see what happens. If the problem follows the box, then you know where your problem lies.

Swapped out for a new ignition coil. Still no spark. Swapped out the little solenoid from the good box. Still no spark. So essentially a full box swap with a working box.

The fuse inside is fine, all other fuses I readily see are fine. Trimmed off the spark plugs lines. The engine cranks just fine, yet no spark at all.


...... thoughts?

 

[jhjesse]

Do you have an extra small wire that comes out of the top of your black box?? If so did you connect it to the ground?

 

[Dr Honda]

You could have damage in the Mag housing. I would start with a meter, and verify the coils.

 

[bobbobobbo]

I do not see an extra wire coming out of the box as a ground wire. Though all wires coming out do seem to be going places.

You could have damage in the Mag housing. I would start with a meter, and verify the coils.

Is the "Mag" housing different from the Ebox?

The coils were swapped from the running engine. As well the solenoid. So I'm pretty confused here...

It turns and turns, just no spark..