1997 sl 1050 runs great then no spark after 20 minutes.

[JustDriveIt]

My 1997 1050 runs real strong then has spark issue after awhile. Let it sit for 1/2 hour fires up again and runs fine. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[aksor]

Sounds like an ignition issue.

Check your stator.

[JustDriveIt]

Thanks for the advice.

[K447]

Thanks for the advice.

When it dies, press and hold the Bilge button on the handlebar. Does it now restart or does the Bilge button make no difference?

Does the engine quit while you are riding, or just not want to restart after you have shut it down on purpose?

[JustDriveIt]

Sorry have not been on site since your advice. Engine will quit while riding and have not tried the bildge button. What does the bildge button have to do with restarting?

[K447]

Sorry have not been on site since your advice. Engine will quit while riding and have not tried the bildge button. What does the bilge button have to do with restarting?

Bilge button is actually a switch that forces full battery voltage feed onto the Orange accessory power circuit. In addition to the bilge pump itself, on some domestic engines the CDI ignition is also powered by the Orange circuit.

CDI powered via Orange was factory configuration after 2000 on carburetor red engines. It was also the subject of service bulletin PWC-00-05 which altered the pre-2000 CDI wiring to the post 2000 configuration. Some red engine CDI need this service bulletin change to overcome a problem with not being able to restart quickly after engine shut down.

In normal operation the LR module provides switched battery power to Orange. Orange should be powered up as long as the engine is rotating. If the Orange circuit is also feeding the CDI, a bad LR module can cause the CDI to stop working if the voltage on Orange goes away. Pressing Bilge button is a way to force full voltage to the CDI despite a weak LR module.