Crank, no start! Spark and fuel in the bowls, Whats next?!

[Pat Conlon]

Pull the plugs, rest them on the top of the head with plug wires connected [AND THE PLUG BODY TOUCHING THE ENGINE TO GROUND IT] . Push the starter button, you should see a nice fat blue spark on each plug.
easier to see in a darkened garage.

Edit by Monkey

[Heinrich535i]

Think I found my problem! Been at it 12 hours now, great way to spend my fourth of July. I had noticed some melted wires near the battery and one of the relays looked completely fried. After swapping relays and grabbing a pigtail off the parts bike I still had no response from the engine. I said screw it, I'm gonna swap the ENTIRE wiring harness, amazed myself at how quickly I had it done. After hooking everything back up I was going over my work and noticed I had an extra plug that had nothing to plug into it, it was the pink one, and there was nothing I could find to plug into it. After a second, third, and fourth look at the parts bike I realized that the wire coming out of the alternator was missing. I plan on swapping them instead of just trying to solder the wire.

[FJmonkey]

That looks like the dreaded red alternator plug that gets cooked. Since you had reported spark at the plug this was not top on the suspect list. But the plug does not seem in bad shape. The melted wires are a nasty gremlin and very happy you found it. I hope you get your FJ fired up soon. 

[Heinrich535i]

STILL NOTHING! I swear this bike will be the death of me. I swapped alternators and hooked up the wire and everything. Starter fluid still has no effect. The starter is kicking strong and she wants to go however there's still no ignition in the engine. Going to fully cover all points of the electrical system tomorrow and check for spark in all the plugs.

I think this forum is the only thing keeping me from pulling my hair out through this mess. Can't thank you guys enough for all the help so far. Let's get another FJ back on the road!!!!!!

[FJmonkey]

Time for a Man Shed day near you. I wish I could jump in and help, hard to do over the web. Keep at it, we will get the FJ back into the Kookaloo zone...

[oldktmdude]

Starter fluid still has no effect. The starter is kicking strong and she wants to go however there's still no ignition in the engine. Going to fully cover all points of the electrical system tomorrow and check for spark in all the plugs.

If, after you have checked the plugs and you have GOOD spark, it's time to check the valve timing. I can't remember if you've said that you have given it a compression test previously, if you haven't, do one before checking the valve timing.
   Regards, Pete.

[balky1]

Starter fluid still has no effect. The starter is kicking strong and she wants to go however there's still no ignition in the engine. Going to fully cover all points of the electrical system tomorrow and check for spark in all the plugs.

If, after you have checked the plugs and you have GOOD spark, it's time to check the valve timing. I can't remember if you've said that you have given it a compression test previously, if you haven't, do one before checking the valve timing.
  Regards, Pete.

Pull the plugs, rest them on the top of the head with plug wires connected [AND THE PLUG BODY TOUCHING THE ENGINE TO GROUND IT] . Push the starter button, you should see a nice fat blue spark on each plug.
easier to see in a darkened garage.

Edit by Monkey

Yeah.
I told him that a week ago, but I don't know if he did it or not.

[ribbert]

....I'm still at a loss as to why the starting fluid isn't even having any effect.

I guess you know, but just in case, that starter fluid is sprayed in with the throttle wide open, choke off and on CV carbies you must lift the slides to spray it in. Then crank immediately, it relies on the mist which on cold engine parts won't linger for long.

IMO

Noel

[Urban_Legend]

Did you replace the dodgy looking red plug? Even if on initial inspection it looks passable, it can be stuffed on the inside. It may not directly affect the cranking issue, but will surely affect charging of the battery, and if the battery is not in top condition, that will hinder starting.

Mark

[Heinrich535i]

Pulled all the plugs and checked for spark. Plugs 1 and 4 that connect to the first coil are in working order and create a intermittent blue spark, however plugs 2 and 3 that lead to the second coil are not sparking. I tried swapping coils from the parts bike and got the same results.

Also cleaned up that red and pink plug that runs from the alternator to the wiring harness by the battery and still no solid spark from Plugs 2 and 3.

[Heinrich535i]

Replaced the IC Ignitor and lone behold I have spark coming from Plugs 2 and 3. She still doesn't wanna start though. Going to keep trying and post my results.

[Heinrich535i]

Well, compression results are in. Things aren't looking good for me.

Cylinder #1 - 120psi
Cylinder #2 - 100psi
Cylinder #3 - 120psi
Cylinder #4 - 140psi

I think this means an engine swap is in order.  

Any suggestions before I start tearing stuff apart?

[Pat Conlon]

Depends, was the engine warmed up? Are the valves adjusted? Was the throttle wide open?

[Heinrich535i]

I have not checked valve clearance yet. And I'm not sure how I'd warm the engine without it being able to start.

Throttle was wide open during compression check for all four cylinders.

[Pat Conlon]

Adjust the valves (on a cold engine) Get the engine running, ride the bike for a couple hundred miles and recheck compression on a warm engine.

Assume nothing until then.