How to test a stator 85 KDX 200


mkmathis

Member
Oct 12, 2003
8
0
I am trying to find out why I have lost spark and I need to test the stator, but the bike is not running.

Thanks for any help.........85 KDX 200
 

speedyts49

~SPONSOR~
Jul 4, 2002
112
0
I recently tested my stator using a multi meter. For my '93 kdx200 I had to disconnect three wires and test for ohms resistance.
On mine the resistance stator should of been 304-456 ohms from the white/red to black wire. The lighting was 1.76-2.64 ohms. If you have a book that gives the resistance or somebody else on here does you should be able to tell if it good or not.
tom
 

speedyts49

~SPONSOR~
Jul 4, 2002
112
0
In this photo I have the unit removed but I don't think that is required to check yours.
tom
 

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mkmathis

Member
Oct 12, 2003
8
0
So you wernt checking for Voltage output? Is it the resistance that usually becomes too great?Was the stator your problem?
 

speedyts49

~SPONSOR~
Jul 4, 2002
112
0
Yes I was checking the resistance, not voltage. My problem turned out to be a sheared woodruff key that keeps the rotor from flopping around. One of my other problems was not knowing how to use the multi meter. Got that staightened out.
Your stator should show resistance within a range(need to look in a kawasaki book to get the numbers). If it is open or too high then something is wrong. Sorry I am not at home right now to tell you exactly which is which. Maybe somebody here has a book and can give you numbers for your year of bike.
By the way I changed the stator and only later discovered that I was using the multi meter wrong. I got the new one from Ricky Stator. Live and learn.
good luck,
tom
 

MadArrow

Member
Sep 8, 2003
89
0
Ok. Remove the seat and tank if you haven't already. Unplug the three wire connector coming up from the magneto. Should be somewhere around the tank area. Now check the res from black wire to blue, should be about 104 ohms. Then black to white/red, should be 142 ohms. Now blue to white/red, should be 38. If I remember right the last two in my book were switched, just a typo. I think I straightened it out for you though. If you want, black to yellow should be 0.54, but that is just for the headlight so it should have no effect. Also, all those figures have an acceptable range of + or - 20%. As far as voltage coming out it varies with RPM, but I had somewhere between 15-20 VOlts AC with a good hard kick with no spark plug. While your at it check you coil, primary to flange should be 0.22 ohms, and secondary (plug wire) to flange should be 7.2K ohms. Alot of shops will test coils for 5 bucks or so. Good luck.
 

mkmathis

Member
Oct 12, 2003
8
0
I got my readings but they are low. I dont know if this means they are bad. My black to blue was 69.5.
My Black to white red was 107 ,
and my blue to white red was 38.3.
And I couldnt get any readings from my coil, but with a kick I could only see about 5v or so.
 

speedyts49

~SPONSOR~
Jul 4, 2002
112
0
The '89-94 kdx service manual suggests that and I quote "if there is much less resistance than shown in the table, the stator is shorted, or the leads between the stator and the connector is grounded. Check the stator and the leads, and fix or replace the damaged parts".
Now theres some good advice from Kawi.
good luck
tom
 

mmathis

Member
Oct 13, 2003
3
0
I am using a digital meter. When I opened the housing it looked brand spankin' new. I received this bike when I was 15 yrs old and this was the first time that cover has ever been off.
 

MadArrow

Member
Sep 8, 2003
89
0
I would see about having a shop test the ignition coil for you because they are a lot cheaper than a stator. Also disconnect the kill switch.
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,349
3
Stator failure is common on the older KDX's.  Mine failed on my '84, a friends failed, and I've read about many others on this board. You can have it rewound (or rewind it yourself) for much less than the cost of replacement.

When mine went bad, the bike started getting harder to start, even with a fresh plug, good gas, etc...  Eventually, it was nearly impossible to start.  When anyone says their old KDX is having electrical trouble, I immediately think it's stator troubles.  IMO, the OEM sator just doesn't last forever.
 

mkmathis

Member
Oct 12, 2003
8
0
So if I replace just the coil part of the stator Ishould be okay? This is the part that usually goes bad right. I found a new copper coil part for $90.

Thanks
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,349
3
If you go to www.buykawsaski.com you can view parts diagrams for your bike.  The stator is shown on the generator page, and is identified as "Stator, Magneto", Part #21003-1077.  It has copper wire windings. 

You can replace the stator, or have your existing stator rewound.  Rewinding one is not rocket science.  Here is a link from a guy who rewound his own (on an XR).

http://members.localnet.com/~nytra/links.html

If you are reluctant to tackle this yourself, there are some shops that specialize in this, such as www.rickystator.com  You may be able to find a local motorcycle repair shop or small electrical appliance repair shop to do the work.  FWIW, I pad around $75 back in the late '80's to have mine rewound.  The guy who did it was in Colorado, but I don't think he's in business anymore. 

The stock stators seems to fail often.  If it were my bike, I would want it rewound with better wire than the OEM Kawasaki stator, but a deal on new original stator would be appealing, too. 

Good luck getting your bike going again.  
 

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