No Spark on 1985 Interstate.

[huntleybill]

I am going nuts here. I have been trying for days to figure out why I don't have spark on ANY cylinder. All the lights work when I turn the key on. The motor cranks fine.

What I have done so far:
Using the specs in the service manual:
I replaced the battery (and cleaned all connections)
I checked ohms on both sides of the coils. both are within specs.
I took apart and cleaned on/off switch.
I replaced the spark plugs.
I checked the pulse generator (ohms)and got nothing on the blue, blue/white wires. I got .334 on the yellow, yellow/white wires. The book says between 1100-1300 ohms. Because of the reading I got, I am not sure if the readings are accurate. Are they? In other words, if the pulse generator is bad, would it give a reading of (as an example) 5000 ohms and not .334 or no reading at all??

Also, there is a switch on the clutch lever that actuates when the lever is squeezed. Does that have anything to do with not having spark? I tried squeezing the clutch and cranking it but still no spark.

What am i missing here. I am at my wits end!
Your help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you
Bill

[victorvmg]

may sound foolish but did you check the ignition fuse 10a bottom of fuse box. (all lights will work cranks no spark)also did you check grounds.(main ground on left side behind a short would also cause this also.mine has a intermittant short that's driving me nuts.replaced solenoid (hot feed to my solenoid was intermittently shorting out,another cause of my problems.). pulse generator-starter(burned out from no start no spark issue)also aftermarket regulator 25 bucks on e-bay..PULSE GENERATOR TESTING-my shop manual says resistance 1200 +/- 100. white yellow-yellow 1+2 cyl. white blue/blue 3and 4 cyl. mine would act up when engine was hot and running,sometimes complete failure or only 2 cyl....COILS-its rare for both to go out at same time bike runs only on 2 cyl.great video on you tube for testing coils and wires.punch in "87 Goldwing gl1200 ignition coil test" also Goldwing docs "coil packs....IGNITION -run your hand under ignition push up,slide ignition wiring back and forth.(checking for short) member told me to try this and bike fired right up,before I had all lights including dash but no spark but instead of blowing ignition fuse I started to blow my main fuse.no power ,no lights.go figure.RECTIFIER-test or replace I replaced mine then when it was starting up I switched to the oem that I replaced and voltage was off the charts (I think that my rectifier going bad was the start of my electrical troubles also.) last but not least is the ignition igniter ,black expensive computer box.this would also cause a no spark issue. im still looking for one on e-bay. you can find the ignition ciruit on this site. fuses -grounds-shorts-ignition-pulse generator-solenoid-battery-ignition ignitor. that's it I think. hang in there,this is the most frustrating issue you can have. I have my bike running well today but still didn't find the original problem.

[Ohara]

Pulse generators on 1985 to 87 should read around 320, 1984 around 1200.

[victorvmg]

I have the 1987 Honda shop manual says pg should read 1200 +/- 100. I installed a new oem pg a couple days ago and it read 1200+ on each feed. my pg is in front of motorcycle behind the timing belts. now the 84-85 models I believe have a different location and could have a different reading.

[victorvmg]

ok I located my Clymer manual 1984 to 87. spec's are the same almost 1100-1300 according to the manual.the difference being that the pg on the 84 model only the pg is located on the rear of the bike. now huntlybill if your getting that reading on your pulse generator that would cause a no spark/ no start issue.retest make sure you have the proper setting on your meter-disconnect battery before testing.if you are getting the same reading replace the pg.I have been dealing with electrical issues for over a week .my only options are to pull fairing and go thru every inch of wiring and get a functioning engine ignitor.I have a 2000 yahama v-star 51,000 mi-one clutch,batteries,tires,oil changes that's it. Harley v-rod just sold 39,000 mi batteries, tires,oil changes that it.now this 87 gl is a different animal. purchased with maintance records from orig. owner 56,000 mi. I have 71,500 now and had to replace about every part on this dam bike-my bike monday purred like a kitten-Tuesday no spark no start-wed. purred like a kitten. this mourning no spark no start. in my opinion ,but opinions are like **** everybody has one. 1984-1987 goldwings were never perfected.4 year model run,changes(upgrades every year)they never fixed the stator issue. im on my 3rd one. poor wiring connections, never upgraded anything to save a dime. what did honda due they came out with the 1500 models ran from 89-2000,not a bad run. gl1800 2001present. a better run. I think the gl1200 was honda's fart in the nite. then again its only my opinion.

[julimike54]

You stated you checked the "on/off" switch, is this the key switch or the 'kill' switch? Either could cause this but I suspect more the 'kill' switch. Mine went intermittent and I had to disassemble and clean the contacts. The only clue I had I found was by wiggling that 'kill' switch, note do this close to the work area, they are heavy to push. The other clue I had was that RPM display disappeared, don't know if the analog tach would do the same.

[huntleybill]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I have ordered a new PG but in the interim, I have replaced the dog bone fuse and because I have been getting a lot of suggestions about the kill switch being the culprit, I retested it. This time I pulled the black/white wire from one coil, connected my meter to it and turned on the ignition. I got 12V. I then turned off the kill switch and got 0V. I then turned on the kill switch and got 12V. So, I think the kill and ignition switches are ok.

I did check the ignition fuse and found it to be good. I also removed and reinstalled it a few times to make sure it had a good connection.

I don't know how you "super hero's" trace wiring and connectors on this thing! I can't even get to most of the stuff on this bike. Talk about packing 10 pounds of #### in a 5 pound bag! I have a whole new respect for motor cycle mechanics! The PG on this bike is up front by the timing belt. According to the manual I have, you have to take half the bike apart just to remove the cover for the PG!!!