185S Won't Start Bad Spark Plug Cap

[ATC King]

Just a PSA.

I was riding, then wasn't. Engine stopped and I was on the side of the road.


Looked at it this morning, got some spare parts out and test meter, then went to work. Wam, bam, can of Spam, fixed in the AM. Spark plug cap was bad. Put a spare one on and the world is right again.


A reminder that they use resistor spark plug caps and they can and do, occasionally go bad. Supposed to be ~5K resistance. Mine was in outer space. I'll buy a new one later, the spares I have are all just as old.

[coolpool]

Good to know, thanks ATC King! I thought they weren't more than a simple boot and clip not unlike a B&S lawnmower cap. Wonder if all ATV/motorcycle ones are around that resistance range?

[ATC King]

I think that's a common resistance value. It's about radio interference because these have solid core plug wires.

On my Honda motorcycles, the inside part that clips onto the plug is removable with a flat screwdriver and the resistor comes out with the spring. That's good because if the resistor fails, a solid piece of wire or metal can be put in for an emergency fix.