An electrical system question?? Points??

[wavehog33]

Question about the points on my 1975 Suzuki GT380. I had the middle cylinder lose spark. I have 3 coils, 3 points, 3 condensors; one for each cylinder. When I check for voltage with my multimeter I get approx 11 volts at each of the 3 wires feeding power to the points (left is black wire, middle blck/yellow, right white wire). I put my home made timing light on the left and right cyl points, hand crank motor and the light bulb lights as it should. I try the same light bulb on the middle cyl and nothing even though I still get a 11 volts reading on the same wire with the meter. How can the meter show 11 volts but the light bulb will not light??? The points are removed from the bike, I am clipping the + for the light right on the stator wire that feeds power to the appropriate points. Thanks

[felkman]

Dec 26, 2011 11:10:23 GMT -4 wavehog33 said:

Question about the points on my 1975 Suzuki GT380. I had the middle cylinder lose spark. I have 3 coils, 3 points, 3 condensors; one for each cylinder. When I check for voltage with my multimeter I get approx 11 volts at each of the 3 wires feeding power to the points (left is black wire, middle blck/yellow, right white wire). I put my home made timing light on the left and right cyl points, hand crank motor and the light bulb lights as it should. I try the same light bulb on the middle cyl and nothing even though I still get a 11 volts reading on the same wire with the meter. How can the meter show 11 volts but the light bulb will not light??? The points are removed from the bike, I am clipping the + for the light right on the stator wire that feeds power to the appropriate points. Thanks

Little lost at how you are testing this, are you just using the light to complete the circuit? Have you checked the spark plug? I am not completely sure how the point set up is on the 380 but if the plug is fouled, the spark has nowhere to go and it will not have a complete circuit. Am I wrong? (I hope someone will chime in) Having ridden an RZ350 for about 10 years, I know how the plugs can foul often on a 2 stroke.

[wavehog33]

I am using my multimeter to check for Volts, which shows 11. Then showing adequate volts, I run my test light off that circuit and nothing lights? If the connection somewhere is faulty why does it show 11 volts?? Wouldn't it showing no Volts as there would be no continuity?? This is the part that baffles me??

[leadkrm]

Are ur gaps set right between the points? Use a feeler gauge and set them.

[novafrk]

I'm not sure how the 380 works either but from riding two stroke dirtbikes, it's probably the plug.

Normally the points are simply a switch. When they are closed the primary field of the coil is energized. When the points open that circuit is opened, the magnetic field that was generated collapses causeing the secondary field to energize and go to ground across the spark plug gap. When you used a light like that you need to have the points installed. (if i understand what you are doing correctly) I don't think that is the way to test them.

I hope this helped. What does your manual say about testing it? :-D

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/5/81/7807/14882/PITEM/Clymer-Suzuki-Shop-Manual-1975-Suzuki-GT380-Sebring-Parts.aspx