Author Topic: Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175  (Read 1856 times)

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Offline The A1 and A2 German

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Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175
« on: May 11, 2011, 11:17:07 PM »
Small hiccup, I started to make a new harness on my build and deleted a lead to the coil, as it got fully tucked behind the housing once reinstalled making it out of sight and mind. It didn't get tracked down till I wasn't getting spark. The wire in question was black with white stripe, inwhich I gave it 12v switched and started right up. 

After giving that lead 12v's, I'm having battery drain after 5 minutes once started/idle, so I checked the spark polarity using an analog volt meter and found it to be reversed (backwards). Apparently you can run a coil backwards and run the motor ~fine, however as I hear you will discharge the system draining the battery. 

So, I gave that lead, - , and nothing...no spark what so ever (I took the lead straight to the battery to insure -). So this is what I got:

'73 Honda CL175 Scrambler

Thumb : Goes from coil to capacitor (blue, nylon wrapped)
Pointer Finger: Goes from capacitor to points (blue, nylon wrapped)
Middle Finger: When given 12v starts, when -: nothing (black with white stripe)

I had labeled the 2 nylon wires pre-hand before tear down (cap and point leads). They both have reach within reason to be swapped with each other however not going to happen till I hear a go ahead as I don't wanna fry anything (only thing I can think), however all my labeling matches up.
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*EDIT: While I'm @ it, I might as well verify spark wire(s) are accordingly:   

Right Hand Side Spark Plug Wire:  (being the closest in the picture, middle finger on it) goes to left side of motor 

Left Hand Side Spark Plug Wire: (being next to the frame) goes to the right side of motor

They do cross over each other, sounds weird, but that's how they lay/relax/have been heat formed so seen correct.

Are they correct?
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« Last Edit: May 11, 2011, 11:41:30 PM by The A1 and A2 German »
Having a bucket that does 10 seconds it like saying you have a 200lb girl friend but she's good in bed.

Offline scottly

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Re: Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2011, 06:49:52 PM »

 Apparently you can run a coil backwards and run the motor ~fine, however as I hear you will discharge the system draining the battery. 


Incorrect!! And you're lucky you didn't damage your meter!!
The black lead on the coil should indeed be connected to switched 12v+. If you are draining the battery while the motor is running, you have other errors in your wiring.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline The A1 and A2 German

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Re: Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2011, 08:51:09 PM »
I'm confused:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig104.htm

You can also check spark polarity using an analog (moving needle) volt meter. Hook up a voltmeter with the negative lead to the plug terminal and the positive lead to the block. Set the meter on the highest volt range. Crank the engine over (no need to start it), and you should see an upward swing of the voltmeter needle (don't be concerned with taking a reading). If the needle swings down off the scale, your coil is hooked up wrong.

So, according the the above statement, I'm backwards concerning spark polarity. So where does the flip need to occur?   
Having a bucket that does 10 seconds it like saying you have a 200lb girl friend but she's good in bed.

Offline scottly

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Re: Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2011, 09:29:20 PM »
I'm confused:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig104.htm

You can also check spark polarity using an analog (moving needle) volt meter. Hook up a voltmeter with the negative lead to the plug terminal and the positive lead to the block. Set the meter on the highest volt range. Crank the engine over (no need to start it), and you should see an upward swing of the voltmeter needle (don't be concerned with taking a reading). If the needle swings down off the scale, your coil is hooked up wrong.

So, according the the above statement, I'm backwards concerning spark polarity. So where does the flip need to occur?   
The above statement does not apply to a dual-secondary coil. No problems with spark polarity, no flip needed. Spark is spark.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline The A1 and A2 German

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Re: Coil Wiring Guidance Needed : CL175
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2011, 11:17:57 PM »
Thanx for your help.

So I found a wire coming off the magneto coil, white with yellow strip, out putting ~6.5 volts once started with no lead. I thought I nailed it, tied it into 12v switched, yet again dead battery after ~5 mintues (~11volts).

Should that output be reading 12volts off the magneto coil and (concerning things have been deleted, speedo, turns, etc, etc) where should that tie into the system?

« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 11:24:58 PM by The A1 and A2 German »
Having a bucket that does 10 seconds it like saying you have a 200lb girl friend but she's good in bed.