Ignition Problem?

[jasonalan]

I have been having electrical problems with my bike. It started when my bike just shut off while I was riding it. I couldnt get it to start, so I checked and replaced the battery. Then I noticed that the charging system wasnt working, so I started testing the components of that. While doing this, I noticed smoke coming out of the rectifier/regulator. I bought a new one of these. Now I can sometimes start the bike, and the charging system works, but it either doesnt start at all, or when it does it runs really sporadic, sometimes not firing at all. I put new spark plugs on, and that didnt help.  Does this sound like an ignition problem? Is there any way to test the ignitor unit?  Also, what could have caused my rectifier to smoke? Could this all be due to a short somewhere?

Thanks,
Jason

[bstig60]

What is the year and model of the bike?

[jasonalan]

1988 Yamaha Route 66 (Virago) 250

[bstig60]

You might want to check out your wiring. Sounds like something might be shorted to ground. Trace the wiring from the regulator and the igniter and the alternator to make sure there aren't any bare wires. Pay particular attention to areas where wires rub against the frame or come through the case.

[ViolinARC]

Check out the link below and also check your positive battery cable at the white rectangular connector...it gets loose and fails. When mine failed, I used a mini-screwdriver to tighten up the connection to avoid the $50 replacement and all is well!

Look at this juicy bit of info as it may be the short you've been searching for: http://www.nabble.com/Probable-Solution-to-the-%22Firing-on-One-Cylinder%22-Issue...50MPH-at-WOT-No-More!-to24692447.html

[Herbert Griffiths]

I had a simular problem my bike was misfiring in the wet
What i found was that the 2 coils that are situated in front  of the engine and under the tank the connections were all corroded with verdigree  i disconected cleaned all the connections with small wire brush also dipped the coil connections into some  houseold vinegar ONLY THE CONNECTIONS AND NOT THE COILS for half an hour to make sure all the verdigree had gone then dried  when replacing all the connections i smeared  them with MS 4 silicone  compound simular to vasaline it repels water. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO TOUCH WOOD IT HAS BEEN GREAT EVER SINCE