Diagnosing not start condition
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,784
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From: Pasadena TX
Diagnosing not start condition
I'm new to Evo's, and had a situation yesterday where the stator plug was disconnected while riding long enough to drain the battery and leaving me stranded on the side of the road. I got the bike home and got it on the battery tender, and I had a green light on it when I got home from work. It spins over at what sounds like the usual speed but won't start. Can anyone point me to some technical advice regarding diagnostics? I can check the stator easily enough but not the regulator since it won't run.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: PA
Check for fuel first..it's the easiest thing to check. Next check for spark. If you still have an issue then check compression......Actually the first thing you need to check is for the correct battery voltage then check the list
Road Warrior
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Ultimate HDF Member
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From: MASS_hole
not being me mechanically inclined. Especially when it comes to electronics, how is this action performed?
I’m guessing with the plug out and still hooked to ignition wire, start bike and look for spark?
Or does the tip of the spark plug need to be touching a metal spot?
I figure at some point it might come in handy to know.
Thanks!
I’m guessing with the plug out and still hooked to ignition wire, start bike and look for spark?
Or does the tip of the spark plug need to be touching a metal spot?
I figure at some point it might come in handy to know.
Thanks!
Last edited by splattttttt; Mar 20, 2018 at 08:33 AM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
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From: Tampa
not being me mechanically inclined. Especially when it comes to electronics, how is this action performed?
I’m guessing with the plug out and still hooked to ignition wire, start bike and look for spark?
Or does the tip of the spark plug need to be touching a metal spot?
I figure at some point it might come in handy to know.
Thanks!
I'd wear a leather glove, sometimes the spark can travel through a shitty spark plug boot and give you a little zap. Nothing deadly, just uncomfortable.
It also helps to take both spark plugs out so the motor spins easily.
Last edited by Mattbastard; Mar 20, 2018 at 09:29 AM.
Yup, the latter. You hook the spark plug into the plug cap all the way and you touch the threaded part of the spark plug to the cylinder head firmly so you get a good ground. Then hit the starter and watch for a little spark. It helps to be inside a garage or somewhere darker than outside so you can see the spark easily.
I'd wear a leather glove, sometimes the spark can travel through a shitty spark plug boot and give you a little zap. Nothing deadly, just uncomfortable.
It also helps to take both spark plugs out so the motor spins easily.
I'd wear a leather glove, sometimes the spark can travel through a shitty spark plug boot and give you a little zap. Nothing deadly, just uncomfortable.
It also helps to take both spark plugs out so the motor spins easily.
(It was a different world then, wasn't it! My mother happily left me to my lawn mower and gasoline in the garage. One suspects that today's young mothers are more cautious. Too bad.)
OP, nothing here to really worry about. Personally, I'll put on the gloves, then hold the spark plug with an insulted pair of pliers. Never have had one bite me doing it that way. If you have someone around who can thumb the started for you, that helps. Allows you to get right down there and really look for the spark.