xj coil

[kf4anm]

even though i sent my xj to a new home my neighbor still has his. today we took the xj and wing for a spin. somewhere along the way his #2 and 3 cylinders went south. we limped back home and checked the plugs then swapped the wires around. looks like the coil crapped out. is this going to be a tough part to locate or is it interchangable with the xs coils.

cheerios

[Ken Talbot]

The coil is probably fine, they don't very often die suddenly like that. What does die suddenly is the pick-up coil wires. Check the tech section and try it out before you go shopping.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ken,

He's got an XJ, the PU coil wires don't move! Both of his advance controls are in the TCI! So...it could be the coil. You can get a high output replacement from MikesXS for CHEAP, just get the ones make for the 80-84 650's, dual output, only $28.00 ea!

You'll want to do a little research on his machine to truly ruleout the coil, by swapping the primary connectors, and then swap the 1-4 pair to the 2-3 locations, then IF the 2-3 CYLINDERS are still cold, then you've determined that it's the coil. IF the 2-3 are now hot, and 1-4 Cylinders went cold, then it's the TCI!!

I'm stating Cylinders here, not coil wires, cause you will have switched them!
T.C.

[turbopete]

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
Hey Ken,

He's got an XJ, the PU coil wires don't move! Both of his advance controls are in the TCI! So...it could be the coil. You can get a high output replacement from MikesXS for CHEAP, just get the ones make for the 80-84 650's, dual output, only $28.00 ea!

You'll want to do a little research on his machine to truly ruleout the coil, by swapping the primary connectors, and then swap the 1-4 pair to the 2-3 locations, then IF the 2-3 CYLINDERS are still cold, then you've determined that it's the coil. IF the 2-3 are now hot, and 1-4 Cylinders went cold, then it's the TCI!!

I'm stating Cylinders here, not coil wires, cause you will have switched them!
T.C.

You can't do that TC the plug caps don't reach if you swap them. Mine didn't anyway. I just fitted some XS coils to my XJ and it is running like a charm.

[kf4anm]

since the other day my neighbor picked up a new coil and pick up coils. installed both and still nothing. we switched the coils around and they are working fine. seems reasonable the brain box in the culprit. a few questions

is it a all or nothing thing or is it possible for 1/2 of it to go out.
could there be a wiring issue going or coming from the box

finally both local recycle shops didnt have the tci anybody have one laying around

[DiverRay]

PM Randy Rago, as he has a site to help out with a "quick" at home fix. If not, he can usually repair the units.
Ray

[osmosis4b]

Ken,
As I know well, the TCI can go out suddenly and only one half...
Read the "running bad" post, it sounds like you have inherited the problem I just solved. I have an XS, so the XJ might be a little different. I am not sure if the TCI for my bike fits yours, but I am sending it to Randy for repair, if would help you out, I can send it to you after it's fixed.

[kf4anm]

i don't think the xs box is interchangeable. they tried that this morning at the parts place. one guy there kept saying it was the pick up coils. i don't think it is since we just tried a new set. i'm pretty convinced its the tci. will double check all the connections to rule out electrical and look up randys fix

thanks
i regret selling my xj until gremlins like this remind me what a pita a 1 year only is.

[kf4anm]

hard data

a little more information on what testing we have done. i now am almost convinced its the tci but still am open to suggestions.

tested the oem pick up coils off the bike
orange = 112.8 ohm
grey = 110.6 ohm

tested the new (used) assembly currently installed on the bike
orange = 110.4 ohm
grey = 115.6 ohm

all 4 are within the 10% +_range of the 120 ohm factory specs

tested the oem primary coil off the bike
it read 2.4 ohm well within the 2.5 spec

tested the new (used) coil on the bike
it tested 1.27 which does not meet the oem spec. we switched the original primary back on the bike. it still read 2.4

i didn't test the secondary coil since the plus was buried and the 1 & 4 wires are firing ok

i reran the swing test randy outlines on his website. the orange wire coming out of the tci starts around 11v and swings almost all the way to the 2-3 v range

the grey wire starts at 11v but will only swing to 7-8 volts. you can see a deffinate difference on the meter. going on the directions that when this occurs either the tci or pickups are bad. we eliminated the pickups. leaving only the tci.

i did pull it and resolder the connection pins. it didn't help.

any where else to look or should i send up the sos for a new tci box.

to repeat the original problem. was out for a ride when he noticed the bike cutting in and out. he thought the fuel was out. after stopping for fuel the problem persisted and the #2,3 cylindrs went dead. he limped it home on the other 2

thanks for any input

if any one does have an xj coil for sale please let me know

dc

[kf4anm]

will bump one more time before writing this post off.

am sure the tdi is the problem and have found a line on a replacement but need a rough confirmation. the orange wire is swinging voltage like crazy. the grey is not. it is swinging but only 3-4 volts. should they both be swinging the same or is the difference within tolerance.

using the parameter of the test outlined on this site