1979 xlch sportster....getting power to everything but no spark out of coil. brand new coil and tested to be good. anything helps. this bike has kickstart only and has dyna s electronic ignition. plz help

Hi, Justin and the usual suspects are:
1. Fouled spark plugs.
2. Severely discharged or a damaged battery should have 12.5 volts or more and be able to pass a proper "LOAD" test if necessary, you may have a preliminary reading of 12.5 volts or more but little or zero amperage the battery is faulty and must be replaced, AGM batteries fail in this scenario more so than lead-acid batteries.
3. Check battery terminals for damage or corrosion, check the battery cables at "BOTH" ends for loose, corroded, or broken connectors, "INSIDE" and outside the cable harness, perform connector wiggle test and check cables with an ohmmeter if necessary.
4. Loose connection at the ignition coil or plug between ignition sensor and module.
5. Spark plug cables in bad condition, shorting/leaking, spark plug cable connections loose check for spark leakage in the dark.
6. Faulty ignition coil or electronic control module.
7. Faulty pulse coil.
8. Faulty CKP, CMP, or BAS sensor.
9. Faulty ignition switch.
10. Faulty run/off switch
11. Tilt sensor needs a reset.
12. Security alarm failing to disarm needs reset
For more information about your issue and valuable "FREE" downloads that you will need for viewing or printing please click on the blue links below and for more specific information or questions at no charge please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck and have a wonderful day.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/1071344-1988-sportster-no-spark.html
http://www.mediafire.com/file/nc0vlqn31bb4477/70-03_Harley_Sportster_Service_Manual.pdf/file
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?make=hdmc
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/service/document/6300?highlight=1998+sportster+owner
https://www.6ya.com/how-6ya-works to speak to me personally.

Dustin:
Your terminology is off a bit but I'm trying to figure out what you say you have done. To start, the coil off the 82 model is the wrong coil for your bike. Your bike has a points type ignition and requires a coil with a primary resistance of 5-6 ohms where the 82 model coil is for an electronic ignition with a primary resistance of 2-4 ohms. If you know how to check the resistance of the primary windings on the coil, check and see what you've got.

But, if you had the bike running and after you put everything back together, you evidently shorted out the points. Use a test light and check for power to the coil. If you have power to the coil, check the black wire coming from the right side of the coil down to the timing cavity. Take the plate back off the timing cavity and see if anything is grounded that shouldn't be. Use the starter to spin the engine over and make sure the points are opening and closing.

Good Luck
Steve

Ok to test the coil, remove all wires from the small terminals on the ends. Use a digital volt ohm meter and put the function switch in OHMS, R X 1. Touch one meter lead to each of the small terminals. Your meter should read between 2-3 ohms as the '79 model had electronic ignition.

To further test the coil, reconnect the two white wires to one of the small terminals. On the other side, make a jumper wire. Connect the jumper wire to the other small terminal. Put the plug wires into the towers and put a set of spark plugs in the wires lying on the heads with a good ground. Now, turn the switch one. The terminals with the white wires on it should be "Hot". MOMENTARILY, ground the jumper to the engine and take it back loose. When you take the wire loose, you should see a spark at the plugs. If you do, the coil is good and your problem lies elsewhere.

Good Luck
Steve

Well, power only comes in from one side of the coil and if the points are closed, your meter will not read voltage on the other side. Make sure the points are open when checking for voltage.

To check the coil's primary circuit. Take all wires loose from the small terminals at either end of the coil. Using a DVOM (digital volt ohm meter), put the meter in OHMS, R times 1 scale. Connect one meter lead to each terminal of the coil, make no difference which one goes where. The meter should read between 5 and 6 ohms of resistance. If it reads "Infinite" the coil is open and if it read "Zero" the coil's primary circuit is shorted.

The easy way to test the coil is put a spark plug in the plug wire and lay it on the head. Make sure it has a good ground. Turn the engine over until the points are closed. Turn on the ignition switch and use something to open the point. Each time you open the points, you should see a spark at the plug. If not, you've probably got a bad coil.

Good Luck
steve

Could be the coil. Borrow a buddy's coil and test your bike, If not an option buy a new coil.