If I Have Current Through The Spark Plug Wire, But The Plug Still Won’t Spark, What Could The Problem Be

There are 7 Answers for "If I Have Current Through The Spark Plug Wire, But The Plug Still Won’t Spark, What Could The Problem Be"

1. dan m says:

   here’s a link to them on ebay.
2. RiverRat says:

   Ground the plug wire and crank…then check it for a spark… should it give a momentary spark and then quit again you will need to replace the ignitor or if it has old style points and condensor pull the flywheel and replace…
3. tw0cl0n3m3 says:

   you have a bad sparkplug.
4. Bernard W says:

   Did you try replacing the cables? Just because you have current it doesn’t mean you have enough for the spark plug to spark.
5. guardrailjim says:

   Ignition switch.
   Engine kill switch.
   Points and/or condensor.
   Sheared woodrift key (it’s on the crankshaft to keep the flywheel from turning on the shaft).
6. dltrotter@sbcglobal.net says:

   Good answers so far. My bet would be the plug, first. If it’s carboned-up, that can bleed off high voltage to ground pretty quick. If it’s a resistor type plug, the internal device in the plug tower could have opened. Cheapest fix first: clean the plug. Next, replace it. Third, the plug wire itself. Only after these checks would I go deeper into the secondary (high voltage) system.
7. TXm42 says:

   Everything that ever goes wrong with anything is either
   a)Bad Ground
   b)Carb Adjustment

   If that dont fix it,,get a Bigger Bike.

   
   ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

   Seriously now,,,Magnetos wont produce enough juice to spark unless
   a)the Condensor is Good
   b)The Points are CLEAN
   c)The Ignition Timing is set properly

   Yes,,that’s a Fact of the nature of magnetos,,
   They Will not “Fire” if they get too far out of time.

   That’s why they quit firing when they shear a flywheel key,,,and flywheel slips out of phase.
   NOT merely because ignition timing goes wacky w/ flywheel outa position.

   Case in point:
   Briggs & Stratton Lawnmower Magnetos function “Identical” to motorcycle magnetos.
   But Their flywheels Do NOT include the Points Cam.
   B&S Points are operated by a Cam ground into Crankshaft.
   You can REMOVE the Flywheel and their Ignition Timing & Points Opening/Closing remains Unaffected.

   But Shear a Flywheel Key and allow Magnet/Coil Phasing to shift when Flywheel slips outa position,,,,
   NO SPARK is the result and engine dies.

   Battery powered ignition will fire “anywhere”.
   Mags Wont.

   They’ll Make enough juice to Feel,,,but not enough to fire a spark plug,,or not enough for proper ignition.

   Make sure Timing is set close,,,and points are clean

   You can use an ohmeter to check the Condensor,
   and also a flashlight or transistor battery & a Voltmeter.
   Wont tell you if it’s Right/Correct/GOOD,,,
   But it will tell you if it’s BAD

   You may have other probs,,
   But I’d start by verifying those things
   and at least eliminating them as variables

   Good Luck with it