75 GL1000 ONLY cranks in OFF position

[neverdie38]

hello, new to the forum. did a search and found some similar articles but not exact one. Long story short i replaced a coil and now when I hit the start button, it ONLY cranks over when the kill switch is in the OFF position. I wired it up the same way it came off (unless I am starting to lose my marbles.) I am not new to working on motorcycles, just never worked on a goldwing before. anybody else have this problem or know of what I did wrong?

[spookytooth]

Well... I don't want to sound like an ass... But if it worked properly before and now does this after.. You obviously didn't hook it up EXACTLY like it was. Are these stock Honda coils?

[virgilmobile]

I would first unhook both the black/white wires at the coils..attach a test light there.
It should have 12 volts with the key on and go off with the kill switch.
Leave the kill switch "ON" and bump the starter....the black/white should remain on with 12 volts.
If it does,hook up just one coil and try again,then the second coil.

My initial thought is a shorted coil primary winding....enough to load the circuit so the solenoid won't click.
Don't worry about the diode...if it is shorted,the bike would be cranking when you turn on the key...If it's open,you have a reduced spark during cranking...

[neverdie38]

ok i will do that. i eliminated the variables and changing the coil was only one left. didn't think the coil wires had anything to do with cranking, just killed spark i thought. thanks for the advice!

[virgilmobile]

It does kill the spark......by removing the 12 volts from the coil.The same 12 volts that goes to the starter solenoid.
If the coil were shorted, the 12 volts would be lowered with the kill switch on and not have enough volts to make the relay click.
Double check the battery and connections too,remember,the ignition takes near 10 amp to operate it.

[neverdie38]

ok well I went with the colors that were on the new coil that were exactly like old and obviously they were wrong so i'll switch and see where that gets me. thanks for the replies...by the way If anyone ever says "i'm not trying to sound like an ass," it means they know they are being an ass and therefore can prevent sounding like one. that's like hearing someone say "well i'm not racist but..."

[virgilmobile]

Ya know....I was thinking....you said it won't crank over with the kill switch on......I guess I assumed that meant that the solenoid didn't click or the starter engage and the engine doesn't move at all.
Am I wrong.????
What If the coil wires were reversed...you know.the ones that go to the points.....as you try to crank the engine,it sparks at the wrong time and stops the engine...kinda like the timing is way too early...the engine goes ruuuup then nothing.like the battery was dead....
You could simply unplug the 2wires that come from the points to see.

[spookytooth]

ok well I went with the colors that were on the new coil that were exactly like old and obviously they were wrong so i'll switch and see where that gets me. thanks for the replies...by the way If anyone ever says "i'm not trying to sound like an ass," it means they know they are being an ass and therefore can prevent sounding like one. that's like hearing someone say "well i'm not racist but..."

Heh.. Unhook the coil and see if it cranks then. Unfortunately pointing out the obvious today is considered offensive. Good luck with that.