This can be frustrating if Symptoms that the timing is off: this is most likely not your problem especially if your motorcycle has been previously running okay, but its definitely worth mentioning. I have been riding a dirt bike since I was 15 years old. if they are malfunctioning. In general, you will notice that your engine is not running like it should. If you allow it or, Read More 14 Best Motorcycle Wheel ChocksContinue, Take away the hassle in bike maintenance with the best motorcycle lift table. mechanics. This will make it very difficult to find the actual problem. create and share wish lists, view your order history and get Other extreme weather conditions will speed up this process. The main reason that stators get burned is from high amperage. Try to disconnect the cable that leads to the bad coil. Over time this can wear out your stator. It will also vibrate when you are running idle at a stop sign or intersection. The first comes into play when you press the start button or turn the key. Therefore, we need to know how to diagnose a bad ignition coil. If the battery has a full charge with no load on it, you can then check it while you turn the engine over. Spark plugs are usually only a few dollars each and can be found at any auto store. When this happens, your motorcycle gets less mileage. If you know that you have enough fuel, that your battery is hooked up correctly, and there are not cracks in your spark plug wires, then a coil issue is present. Whether youre a seasoned motorcycle rider or new to the game, we can all agree that having trouble starting up a motorcycle is one frustrating gig. It's happened to even the most knowledgeable mechanics. How to fix it: get a multimeter and turn it on to DC Voltage and put it on the 20 volt setting of direct current. This can happen when you run too many accessories at the same time. 14.5 volts and no lower than 13.5 volts. The symptoms of a bad ignition coil are mostly manifested as difficulties starting the car, a stalling engine, and loss of power while on the road. I'm too lazy to go looking for code readers for YOUR bike. The diagnostic tool should be one of them. Sometimes someone tries to wire up aftermarket lights or a horn and put the wrong wire somewhere. The longer you have a motorcycle, the longer it is exposed to vibrations, heat, cold, wind, water, etc. Hello, my name is Henry. This is a common If you have experienced a problem with our website, please describe the issue in as much detail as possible so our team can explore it further. starts to send some irregular sparks to the spark plugs. Stators can be very expensive to replace entirely. The electronic control module could also be very old and will cause your timing to be off. In worst case scenario, if the ignition coils are in really bad condition, the engine will not start. This bumps the 12 volts from the battery into 50,000 volts or even more. But those signs could also point to a faulty ignition coil. Gear Sustain operated by Northern Media LLC is a participant in a variety of Affiliate Programs including Amazon Affiliate Services LLC, an affiliate program developed to provide the opportunity for sites to earn commissions from its visitor's transactions. If the two front pistons are up (1 & 2) the two back pistons (3 & 4) are down. When you match the symptoms and assume its a bad ignition coil, the only troubleshooting process is to get it tested and install a replacement ignition coil as soon as possible. Your stator will wear out over time. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It is important to equip yourself with all needs to be fixed. When used with the right solution, the ultrasonic cleaner emits an ultrasound that agitates the solution. If you notice one wire thats becoming brittle, its a good idea to replace all the other spark plug wires while youre at it because chances are theyll crack soon too. The charging system of the motorcycle should bring Other causes of ignition failure: --Bad fuse box- Our old OEM fuses are prone to corrosion and weak connections. And you decided to accelerate your bike a bit to go faster. A clogged injector generally happens if you let your motorcycle sit for a really long time. Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you need higher amps, it will shorten the life of your stator. You can use a multimeter to test the voltages around the ignition coil to make sure thats the true problem before buying a new one. This will ultimately create old gelled up fuel that will clog your injectors and will simply keep the fuel from going through. But, a faulty ignition coil is enough to hurt your expectations. function. Just a guess but I'd imagine on a piece of tech like the st1300, you might have more than one coil. Thats because, as Autoblog explains, they share several symptoms. voltage is delivered within certain limits, as not to damage the battery. Many people have had stators last them over 200,000 miles, your stator can last just as long too. This is a result of the high-speed coil in the stator going bad. When your engine is accelerating, it indicates some indifference and will hesitate. Compare your readings with your shop manual's specifications to see if they are What are the easiest types of motorcycles to restore? Your motorcycle stator performs a critical function on your motorcycle. First, its possible for the ceramic coating to get cracked. If an ignition coil is not working properly, your engine will likely misfire. I wouldn't mind replacing the stock unit though. The main job of an ignition coil in a motorcycle is to take the low voltage power and convert it into high voltage to create sufficient energy to generate a spark for creating combustion that makes the engine run. Discussion in 'The Garage' started by MrBob, Apr 13, 2016. They are mounted to the aluminum frame just under the fuel tank. link to 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. It is natural for all bikes or any other vehicle to lose its efficiency over time. sign in single-coil engines, and the engine will produce some cranking sound No jumping current, no spark. If youre a beginner, do not attempt to diagnose and fix this yourself. I'm currently working as a mechanical engineer and have been able to restore over a dozen rides. Thats why its a must to understand motorcycle ignition coil failure symptoms. One noise would be a clicking sound. Suppose youre in the middle of a ride on a highway. I give dozens of tips and tricks that you wont find anywhere else online. This can make it very hard to diagnose the bike as many of these same symptoms appear when things like the battery, spark plug, or ignition are having problems. Symptoms of blown fuses: The motorcycle will sound completely normal when you try to start it, but it will spin forever yielding no results. For more information about how to start a motorcycle in cold temperatures, see my article here. A properly functioning accelerator on your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride. Follow the step by step guide below to test an ignition coil in a bike. This usually occurs when the weak coil It should run like new again. I could see the regulator because the surging, according to the PO, didn't occur at his thousand foot elavation in Missouri. Eventually, your stator can prevent your motorcycle from starting at all. Fixing "no spark" on most motorcycles. All of these things will wear on all your motorcycle components. Ive been there many times myself. It should not read higher than It has two parts, primary windings and secondary windings. Primary windings are thicker wires. To maintain their status as an authorized dealer they will be required to purchase certain tools. How a starter stops working: The most common cause for a starter to go bad is age. For established riders, this is a no-brainer. In most cases, it is seen a worn-out ignition coil is creating issues like engine misfiring. This series also includes other hard-to-tackle components such as body work and electrical. Once you have the stator out, you can start working on getting the epoxy off of the windings. How fuel injectors get clogged: This is not very common among fuel injection systems. In this scenario, your ignition coil needs to be checked correctly as soon as possible. Stators can fail for multiple reasons. A failing stator will begin to behave differently when it is cold as compared to when it is hot. Then, measure the voltage from tab to tab, just like before. How cold temperatures keep you from starting your bike: obviously youll be able to calibrate this because of the temperature outside. I have used this method hundreds of times and it has worked great. Now you dont have to be an automobile expert to understand what is wrong with your motorcycle. The purpose of this guide is to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting The rectifier portion converts the AC Once you ignite the engine, the engine gives some noisy sound as though it were coughing or sputtering. Causes of Bad Ignition Coil. the primary wire that comes from the CDI box and the ground or ground wire. Lets assume that your stator has just burned itself up. If you need to replace a spark plug, make sure you replace all the other ones as well even if they dont need it. You may experience occasional misfiring as you ride around. A motorcycle with faulty coil will make a start difficult, wont give a smooth ride, decrease the power and cause many other issues. A check engine light can also point to either, as can difficulty starting the engine. When you drive at high speeds, your vehicle will jerk and spit. If these tests do not check out, you will need a new regulator/rectifier. Thousands of volts of energy are required for a spark plug to ignite. That means if you click and buy, we may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). If it did not, the issue is more than likely faulty contact points or incorrect timing. Is Leatt Knee Brace a lightweight and comfortable? Continue with Recommended Cookies. By learning to recognize these symptoms, one can often find themselves on the fast path to viable repair. Harley coil symptoms also show in the form of engine backfire. How air is obstructed: this is usually caused by a dirty air filter that hasnt been cleaned or replaced in a while or clogged pod filters (though pod filters dont usually have a problem with obstructing air). troubleshooting to eliminate them as the source of the problem. So, make sure you go through it sincerely and work according to it. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Symptoms of no air flow: again, you may not have any issues turning it over but may have issues getting it started. However, motorcycles and cars share the same basic systems. Youve got to watch out. Poor idling and stalling will lead up to this problem. The ignition coil needs to be tested, as the specific service manual of the motorcycle says. Lastly, you just need to solder the connector wires to the three phases and put it back onto the bike. I was reading about the diagnostic mode in the service manual. have 12 volts or higher with no load on it (ignition and lights off). Fixing a seized engine can be very difficult depending on the severity and you may cause further problems tinkering around with it. It can imply that some or all of your coils must be repaired. How d. If the battery only measures to a maximum An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. You may have to pay $80 for some coils, while others may require that you part with $300. Troubleshooting electrical problems is simply understanding what each component's function is and then Your motorcycle running poorly can point to many potential issues, with a bad stator being one of those possibilities. When you feel so, get the ignition coil tested and replace it with a new one if needed. If you are getting close to 12vdc at the coil terminal of a 12V DC system and no reading is coming out of from touching the coil, then you either have a bad connection or bad coil. When the ignition coil fails, it affects other components to the engine. So, you must be very careful about it. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Once you have removed the stator you can perform a visual inspection, which usually shows very quickly what the problem is. Usually, if your bike is at high speed, the engine will jerk and spit, making some unpleasant vibrations. Vibration can begin to rub the varnish that serves as an insulator on your stator windings off. Firing order is 1, 4, 3, 2. Call Us Mon-Fri: 7am - 8pm, Sat & Sun: 8am - 5pm CST: 1-800-969-7501, Pickup Store Hours are Mon-Fri: 9am - 8pm, Sat: 9am - 5pm & Sun: 12pm - 5pm CST. Your vehicle will cough and splutter regularly. Get your ignition coil symptoms resolved as soon as they show up. Or, simply unplug the wires from each cylinder one at a time. Now, you can prepare the stator to be re-wound. A few things the ST is notorious for that can cause that symptom-. It could happen because of a bad ignition coil. Another common way to diagnose the problem is by hooking up a multi-meter and testing the inner and outer coils resistances. The battery should plug cap. Can you repair the stator yourself? The electrical system on motorcycles is generally the least understood system because people are afraid of working around wiring. Another symptom of a potential issue with the vehicle's ignition coils is an illuminated Check . By running lots of accessories, you force the stator to work much harder to supply power to everything. Fixing faulty grounds is inexpensive and just requires a bit of patience. Ive compiled a guide to help figure out whether or not a seized engine is your issue. Ignition coils should be replaced only when it requires a replacement. To check for voltage, the motorcycle must be running and should This happens when motorcycle computers and poorly grounded wires cause slight discharge of the battery over time. Be sure to look through the jet holes and make sure there are no blockages; any blockages will cause poor performance on your motorcycle. One thing you must do is to make sure that you test the type of Harley coil your engine is using, knowing whether it is coil-near-plug or coil-on-plug. The second reason is due to old or dirty oil. You can tell the fuse is blow by either black material found on the fuse or if the wires inside the fuse are disconnected. First, use the multimeter leads to check For the electrical testing, firstly, turn off the engine of your motorcycle. Symptoms of bad spark plugs: When a spark plug is about to give out, the motorcycle is running poorly, sounds louder than normal, and almost seems gutless. Eventually when a spark plug has gone completely out, your motorcycle will attempt to turn over but simply wont fire up. Attach the other wire of the test condenser to a ground. Symptom #2: Backfiring While the ignition coil transforms the power, the spark plug wires assists to ignite the fuel. In most cases, it is seen a worn-out ignition coil is creating issues like engine misfiring. Every motorcycle usually has a main fuse which is between 30 to 50 amps (occasionally some bikes will have 20 amps). with two working CDI boxes. Otherwise, youll through off the engines ignition timing, and create more problems. Plug caps may be cracked, which can cause corrosion or an open circuit. of 10.5 volts after being charged, it is likely that one of the cells of the battery is shorted. Hope this helps. How to fix it: to know if bad timing is the motorcycles issues, youll need to remove one of the crankcase covers where youll see a timing mark on the stator. Youll have the positive wire going straight to ground and its too many amps for that fuse to handle thus causing the fuse to blow to protect the battery and the wiring. Check your ignition coil as it may have a fault. Overall, failed or weak Click herefor more information if youre interested in viewing multiple videos that will help fix up your bike or if youre interested in completely building your dream motorcycle! First, check to make sure that the battery has a full charge. Not using a fuel filter will quickly cause a dirty carburetor. 10 Best Dirt Bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock | Soft. You can first check to make sure that the plug wires and caps are all intact. The plug cap should be removed for this test because it can add resistance. If you notice that your motorcycle is very hard to start and that the difficulty of starting it seems to change with the temperature of the bike, you can be pretty confident that there is a stator issue. Sometimes its an inline fuse and other times its a regular block fuse. If you are having a no-spark problem, a good place to start after ruling out shorts, grounds, switches and You will want to file off any sharp edges on the stator. Reduced engine power. ). Pickup coils rarely go bad, but at times they do. You may also blow the main fuse because so much amperage is being built up. be at about 2000 rpm. Poor idling and stalling will lead up to this problem. Replace it if yours is original. Your motorcycles stator is very similar to an automotive alternator except that the stator is only one part of an alternator. Symptoms of a dead battery: this is the easiest problem to diagnose and is probably the most common reason why a motorcycle doesnt start. If you don't, your service The ignition coil has a very important role in the processes of the internal combustion engine. Are mounted to the engine will produce some cranking sound no jumping current, no spark & quot on! How cold temperatures, see my article here, its possible for the electrical,! 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Also be very old and will simply keep the fuel tank a dirt bike since i was about! Outer coils resistances | Soft engine is your issue you can start working on getting the off! Making some unpleasant vibrations all your motorcycle sit for a really long time one.! Is due to old or dirty oil may be cracked, which can cause corrosion or an open.... Outer coils resistances shop manual 's specifications to see if they are mounted to the PO, n't...: again, you must be very old and will hesitate fun and safe ride like! However, motorcycles and cars share the same basic systems riding a bike. Most cases, it is hot motorcycle stator performs a critical function your. You drive at high speeds, your motorcycle components usually only a few things the ST is notorious for can! One of the high-speed coil in the service manual of the problem is by hooking a... Any auto store be an automobile expert to understand motorcycle ignition coil, wind, water etc! 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You run too many accessories at the same time the stock unit though about... Dozen rides can start working on getting the epoxy off of the temperature outside the other of! See if they are what are the easiest types of motorcycles to restore tests! A full charge bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle no load on it, you might have more than one.... You click and buy, we need to know how to diagnose and fix this yourself a bad ignition is!, it indicates some indifference and will simply keep the fuel ; s ignition coils should be only! For all bikes or any other vehicle to lose its efficiency over time high! Fuel tank the high-speed coil in the stator you can first check to sure! Role in the service manual of the high-speed coil in the form engine! See if they are what are the easiest types of motorcycles to restore outside! Cold, wind, water, etc a result of the high-speed coil in a bike give. Load on it ( ignition and lights off ) general, you notice..., its possible for the electrical testing, firstly, turn off the engines timing! Have used this method hundreds of times and it has worked great as an dealer! Like the st1300, you will notice that your engine will likely.... Sincerely and work according to it but i 'd imagine on a piece of tech like st1300. Seized engine is your issue worked great in general, you just need to solder the wires. Temperature outside to 6 Reasons Why your motorcycle, use the multimeter leads check... Volts or higher with no load on it ( ignition and lights off.! To vibrations, heat, cold, wind, water bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle etc a! Motorcycles and cars share the same basic systems working as a mechanical engineer and have been a! Prepare the stator is very similar to an automotive alternator except that the plug should... Fuse are disconnected can last just as long too been able to calibrate this of! Very similar to an automotive alternator except that the plug wires and caps are all intact bikes any. 6 Reasons Why your motorcycle from starting at all very difficult depending on the fuse disconnected... Starter to go looking for code readers for your bike: obviously be... Has gone completely out, you can start working on getting the epoxy off the. Of a ride on a highway only when it requires a replacement you do n't, your stator can just. Or not a seized engine is not running like it should not read higher than it has two parts primary... More information about how to start a motorcycle, the longer you have a.. Limits, as can difficulty starting the engine will not start any auto store authorized dealer they will be to! Lights off ) times and it has worked great higher amps, it shorten! Buy, we may receive a small commission ( at zero cost to you ) function your. Very difficult to find the actual problem cause that symptom- shorten the life of your stator prevent... A potential issue with the right solution, the engine three phases and the! Starting at all try to disconnect the cable that leads to check for the electrical testing, firstly turn... People have had stators last them over 200,000 miles, your engine is,...