Timing Pickup Question

[79XS11F]

OK I have an on going issue with my engine plug firing.
This is what I got:
With the engine running when I use my timing light to confirm that plugs are firing I get rapid blinking light on #1 and 2 but haphazard blinking light on #3 & 4.

What I have already doe:
Installed excel coils
Switched out the TCI unit and ran new wiring from the TCI to the coils.
Installed NEW timing pickups
Cleaned and dielectric lubed every connection on the bike.

So is there a set distance from the the center of the spinning pickup actuator that the pickup must be? Or is it as close as possible without being hit by the spinning actuator? I am wondering if "maybe" the pickups are too far away from the spinning actuator?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rob

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Rob,

Here's a recent thread that discusses similar symptoms to what you have described.

Erratic readings on 3-4 are not common electrically, but do have fuel as a commonality. Too lean a mixture it is said will also cause intermittent firing in a cylinder!

BTW, the pickup coil to actuator gap is 0.7mm/0.0275" !

Were the Accel coils a complete new kit, or were they a transplant from another bike?

You can try swapping plug wires between 1-4 and also between 2-3 and then recheck with your light. If the intermittent signal hops cylinders, then it's the wires, if they are the same as before, then it's the plugs or carbs.
T.C.

[79XS11F]

The Excel coils are new out of the box. that gap would be from top of fin to the pick up. The pickups have had been re and re at least once before i got the bike. I did not think it was wiring because # 3 and 4 are one on each of the coils... right? I will try your wire switch out tomorrow and check that gap.
When I cleaned the carbs I put in all new jets and checked the floats as well. All appeared good at that time so I will check the carbs as a last resort. The last Time I had all 4 plugs out they looked good and all looked the same. I'll keep you posted.
OH ... the header on this bike dose have #3 and 4 running on the shorter pipes by about 8 to 12 inches compared to # 1 and 2 if that could make a difference.
Rob

[79XS11F]

More ...

I have to ask. If I am using an inductive timing light to confirm spark consistency how would a bad plug or lean mixture have any effect on the energy coming down the wire to the plug. I do think this is an electrical issue that I have with # 3 and 4 being inconsistent. OH I also changed out the ballast resistor. If I am not getting the 12 volts of close to it at the coil that services the coils where might I start looking for that issue?
Rob

[randy]

Rob,

You're not getting a consistent light because the plug(s) are not firing consistently.

It does not matter that the 'energy' is getting down the wire, if the spark does not jump the gap, the light will not flash.

Ditto on the fuel suggestion, doesn't matter if the fuel gets burned or not, the timing light only needs the spark for a trigger, so I wouldn't look to a fuel problem. you definitely have a sprk problem.

If your plugs are truly clean, then pull the plug caps and trim the wire ends 1/4" and re-install. let us know what happens.

[79XS11F]

OK just so I understand this correctly... Even with an inductive light the plug MUST fire for the light to register the energy in the wire? I didn't know that. So based on the plugs looking OK only a few days ago this would "tend" to indicate an electrical issue. Coils are only about 2 months old and use the newer graphite inners. I used dielectric grease when I made the wires and also use that stuff on the plug ends any time I have the leads off. I will start with the pick up gap because I am thinking that being that both coils seem to be affected then if one of those pickups is set to far away it might be triggering intermittently. I will consider myself lucky if it is that simple. After that I will check the voltage at the coils and see what I got. I will post my findings as they are found.
THANKS eh... this site ROCKS!!!!!
Rob

[pggg]

79, with dynacoils which seem pretty much the same as accel, I ditched the ballast resistor and the resistor-type plug caps for a spark and nothings fried yet.

[79XS11F]

Originally posted by pggg
79, with dynacoils which seem pretty much the same as accel, I ditched the ballast resistor and the resistor-type plug caps for a spark and nothings fried yet.

Were you having a similar issue prior to making that change? If so did this chance correct the problem? I'm already not using resistor type caps.
Rob

[pggg]

79, my bike was stumbling accelerating from idle and I knew it was the plug caps but couldn't pinpoint which one, but was probably either or both inner ones - they didn't unscrew to get at the resistor inside but the outside ones did, so you could clean them but 79 it could be the 'Switched out the TCI unit and ran new wiring from the TCI to the coils' is the suspect on yours?

[79XS11F]

Originally posted by pggg
79, my bike was stumbling accelerating from idle and I knew it was the plug caps but couldn't pinpoint which one, but was probably either or both inner ones - they didn't unscrew to get at the resistor inside but the outside ones did, so you could clean them but 79 it could be the 'Switched out the TCI unit and ran new wiring from the TCI to the coils' is the suspect on yours?

At first I was pretty sure that the issue was somewhere in the wiring harness because of its age. That was after I switched out the TCI unit. So next I ran new wires to the coils only. I just wanted to make sure the signal was making it to the coils but when all said and done there was no major improvement. My Engine is also pretty cold blooded. even in 80 degree temps i MUST chock it to get a smooth warm up idle. Once warmed up the engine idles pretty good at 1000 to 1100 RPM. The 78 11s used to idle pretty smooth at 900 to 1000 RPM. I am just wondering if i am getting TRUE XS1100 performance below the 5000 to 5500 RPM range. At about 5500 RPM something kicks in the bike Really pulls HARD. Velcro gloves HARD.
Rob

[pggg]

As it's 'cold blooded' - going up one size on the pilot jets, or up one size on the main jets would most likely add some extra kick down lower. An inconsistent spark will be knocking back the power output for sure.

[81XS1100-2006]

Change your plugs again? Dunno but if it's an $8 fix, not a bad idea.

[79XS11F]

Originally posted by pggg
As it's 'cold blooded' - going up one size on the pilot jets, or up one size on the main jets would most likely add some extra kick down lower. An inconsistent spark will be knocking back the power output for sure.

Is anyone here familiar with Thunder Products Dial-A-Jet systems? I have one of their setups on my bike and using this devise makes up sizing the main and needle jets un-necessary. From what I understand Changing out the main or needle jet would not do much for the idle but I am NO PRO in carbs by a long shot. I think I need to increase the pilot jet but WHERE CAN I BUY THEM. I would like to put in the largest pilot jets that the carbs will accept which is a #145. The dial-A-Jet setup dose not have any effect on the idle and lower end.
If not mistaken I guess I should have adjusted the float hight to allow for a higher fuel level in the bowls but there are NO guidelines for doing this sort of thing.
By how much should I change the float height or in what sized increments.
Here's a link to Thunder Products Web Page.

http://www.thunderproducts.com/dial_a_jet.htm

Rob

[79XS11F]

I just popped up a pic of the plugs. They all look similar and appear to be burning OK... perhaps a wee bit lean but I was thinking they look OK
Here's a like to the pic place.

http://www.frappr.com/?a=myfrappr&id=1618631

Rob

[TopCatGr58]

Reading plugs...the bases!

Hey Rob,

From what I learned from another very experienced Xsive about reading plugs is that you don't go by the insulator so much as the appearance of the metal base ring of the plug. And yours are fairly black....not sooty flaky, but a definite black color, and there is color on your plugs insulators as well, so I don't think you are running lean at all!
T.C.