what are the chances that when i get no spark ...it is caused by low voltate in the battery? meaning, if the battery isnt fully charged will the ignition module and/or coil not fire?

 

....and , does a coil go bad intermentantly? or does it just quit all at once?

 

I just wanted to tell you all that the problem with my bike is finally fixed! I might not have found it if it hadn't of gone from an intermittent problem to a total no start, no spark condition. When that happened I got out the factory service manual and started doing the ohmmeter checks outlined there. Coil checked ok, slighty out of spec, but real close. Sensor plate checked out, right on the money. But then the check for the ignition module, power supply diode check, failed completely.

I kind of suspected the ignition module all along, but don't have money to just throw at the problem, without some solid evidence, telling me this was indeed the problem. So I went to buy a new module ($137), but the pigtail was way different from mine, which they explained was because my bike is older, it needs a wiring adapted kit ($45), they seemed surprised that my 18 year old bike still had the original module on it, so I'd guess they fail rather frequently.

Put the new module on, crossed my fingers and hit the switch, she started right up. After a shake down run, I think it's safe to say the problem is gone! About time too, I've screwed around with this problem all summer, sure puts a damper on your riding enjoyment. On the bright side, at least when it quit running altogether it was in the garage, not out on the road.