bike wont fire

rc51bullet · July 20th, 2012, 07:48 PM

I guess I will make this my intro thread as well as my I need help thread. So here it goes:

Intro
I bought an '03 ninja 250 with approx. 12k miles for my wife because she has decided she want to learn to ride so she can ride with me. That being said, I bought the bike for a really good deal because the previous owner said it quit running (it was his daily) and im pretty mechanically inclined so I wasn't worried about putting in some elbow grease. Besides, the bike looks to be in pretty good condition and I didn't want a brand new bike for her to learn on just in case something happens.

Dilemma
As stated before, the previous owner said the bike quit running and when he took it to the local shop they replaced the fuse junction box and that didn't fix it. Then he told me that the bike shop told him it needed a new cdi box and he couldn't afford a new cdi box plus the shop fee so this is the reason for selling it. Anyways, I got the bike and put new ngk plugs in it plus I bought a different cdi box off ebay in hopes it would be that simple and checked all the fuses just to be safe. The bikes turns over with no problem but neither plug fires and with the key in the on position I stick my voltage meter into the plug wire and even without hitting the start button I still have power coming thru the coils. I have chased most of the wiring harness and I can't find any cut or lose wires so now I turn to you knowledgeable folks that have had your ninja for any time. Please help me any way you can.

Is it possible for both coils to go bad and still have power running thru them?

Thank you for any help or advise

Motofool · July 20th, 2012, 08:44 PM

Welcome to the site!

I don't know what could be wrong among the pick-up coil, module, coils and plugs; but I know how to direct you to these schematics:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Wiring_...s_%26_diagrams

rc51bullet · July 20th, 2012, 09:20 PM

Thank you! That actually helps alot.

On a side note, what part of florida are you in? Give me a buzz anytime and we'll get a ride together

Motofool · July 21st, 2012, 04:23 AM

You are welcome.

I am in the area of West Palm Beach and mainly commute to work everyday.

Additional general info here:

http://www.jetav8r.com/Vision/Ignition/CDI.html

http://www.dansmc.com/cdiignition.htm

".....first check all the plug in connectors. Check and clean all the ground connections and make sure the kill button is working right too. Also, remember some bikes have safety kill switches at the clutch lever, the side stand....."

Racer x · July 21st, 2012, 04:37 AM

Hello and welcome
Let's start with Basics.
Remove both plugs and put the spark plugs into the spark plug boots. Set them in such a way that the threads are touching the metal part of the engine.

Make sure the right handlebar red bar switch is in the on position. Then with it in neutral and the kick stand up. ( I hope you have a bike stand) push the starter button for a couple seconds.
Do you see any sparks at the plugs? Also then cranking it try to feel if there is air coming out of the spark plug holes. Or see if you can get a compression tester from some one .

You need compression, spark and fuel. A bike that has been sitting can have stuck piston rings and 12000 miles it could have tight valves. That will cause a loss of compression.

Sitting will also cause the carbs to foul up and then the engine will not get fuel.

And you have an ignition problem. So let's start with the basics. First do the part numbers from your original CDI and the one you bought on eBay match? They plugs are the same but there are four different ones available.

We can make it live again

July 20th, 2012, 07:48 PM	#1
rc51bullet ninjette.org newbie Name: c. Location: florida Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '03 ninja Posts: 2	bike wont fire I guess I will make this my intro thread as well as my I need help thread. So here it goes: Intro I bought an '03 ninja 250 with approx. 12k miles for my wife because she has decided she want to learn to ride so she can ride with me. That being said, I bought the bike for a really good deal because the previous owner said it quit running (it was his daily) and im pretty mechanically inclined so I wasn't worried about putting in some elbow grease. Besides, the bike looks to be in pretty good condition and I didn't want a brand new bike for her to learn on just in case something happens. Dilemma As stated before, the previous owner said the bike quit running and when he took it to the local shop they replaced the fuse junction box and that didn't fix it. Then he told me that the bike shop told him it needed a new cdi box and he couldn't afford a new cdi box plus the shop fee so this is the reason for selling it. Anyways, I got the bike and put new ngk plugs in it plus I bought a different cdi box off ebay in hopes it would be that simple and checked all the fuses just to be safe. The bikes turns over with no problem but neither plug fires and with the key in the on position I stick my voltage meter into the plug wire and even without hitting the start button I still have power coming thru the coils. I have chased most of the wiring harness and I can't find any cut or lose wires so now I turn to you knowledgeable folks that have had your ninja for any time. Please help me any way you can. Is it possible for both coils to go bad and still have power running thru them? Thank you for any help or advise

July 20th, 2012, 08:44 PM	#2
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Welcome to the site! I don't know what could be wrong among the pick-up coil, module, coils and plugs; but I know how to direct you to these schematics: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Wiring_...s_%26_diagrams __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

July 20th, 2012, 09:20 PM	#3
rc51bullet ninjette.org newbie Name: c. Location: florida Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '03 ninja Posts: 2	Thank you! That actually helps alot. On a side note, what part of florida are you in? Give me a buzz anytime and we'll get a ride together __________________________________________________ '02 RC51 (my baby) and '03 ninja 250 (her baby)

July 21st, 2012, 04:23 AM	#4
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	You are welcome. I am in the area of West Palm Beach and mainly commute to work everyday. Additional general info here: http://www.jetav8r.com/Vision/Ignition/CDI.html http://www.dansmc.com/cdiignition.htm ".....first check all the plug in connectors. Check and clean all the ground connections and make sure the kill button is working right too. Also, remember some bikes have safety kill switches at the clutch lever, the side stand....." __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

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July 21st, 2012, 04:37 AM	#5
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Hello and welcome Let's start with Basics. Remove both plugs and put the spark plugs into the spark plug boots. Set them in such a way that the threads are touching the metal part of the engine. Make sure the right handlebar red bar switch is in the on position. Then with it in neutral and the kick stand up. ( I hope you have a bike stand) push the starter button for a couple seconds. Do you see any sparks at the plugs? Also then cranking it try to feel if there is air coming out of the spark plug holes. Or see if you can get a compression tester from some one . You need compression, spark and fuel. A bike that has been sitting can have stuck piston rings and 12000 miles it could have tight valves. That will cause a loss of compression. Sitting will also cause the carbs to foul up and then the engine will not get fuel. And you have an ignition problem. So let's start with the basics. First do the part numbers from your original CDI and the one you bought on eBay match? They plugs are the same but there are four different ones available. We can make it live again