continous spark

[Mroadrunner3]

just got an XS110f, 78" from what i was told ,the bike was under cover for the better part of the last 4 or 5 years, was parked because it would run and than just quit, almost like a switch was turned off, but would re-start just as quick. the owner was talked into letting a gee wizzz kid try and fix it,. after talikng to the owner and a few gear heads i was told to check the pick up coil wires that they could be broken or grounded, i did check the wires from front to rear and did not find any brakes or worn wires. if i try and crank the engine its almost like the timing is off as it cranks good for one round than stops as if firing wrong, so i pulled all the plugs, set then on the engine block for a ground and pressed the start switch, as soon as i did that i seen that the # 1 and # 4 plug were buzzing with spark , again this is with out the engine granking, all i did was toutch the start switch, could this be the cause of a bad CDI unit, there is no spark at all on the # 2 and #3 plug, oh and i was leaning on the bike i did get a little shock, that kinda tells me there is a short some wear.

[DiverRay]

You NEED to go over the post for a neglected XS1100! After that, do a search on the "pick-up coil wire fix". Between the two, we've been through this a LOT of times.
After you have had a chance to read and look around, post more questions if you still have them! Don't forget to read on how to post pictures, as we ALL like pictures of "new" bikes!
You may also want to go to the members lounge, and do a search for members who may live near you. Most people here are happy to help when they are able.
Welcome to the madness!!
PS,
The pick-up coil wires break behind the LEFT crank cover as you are sitting on the engine. You may ALSO have some bad spark plug wires, but that will have to wait until you have spark on all four plugs....

[tw1980]

If the bike would run perfect then just die you probably have an electrical problem.Look up what to do with a neglected bike.Do that first,then carefully check the pickup wires then the tdi unit.If you determine the tdi unit is bad you can pm me I'll try to fix and send back,also I think Swamp Thing is still repairing tci units for ch11 members.Good luck Terry

[tw1980]

Sorry I meant tci unit not tdi.That long ride I went on must have frozen my brain. Terry

[randy]

Well, this is a new one. I'll bet there's water and corrosion inside the TCI. I have duplicated that symptom by shorting some of the connections on the pc board with a finger, so I know the TCI is capable of doing that.

[Mroadrunner3]

You are right on randy

I took your idea and opened the TCI, what i found was some minor corrosion on some tracks close to the plug in's, did some very light cleaning and put the box back on the bike, added some fuel and hooked up the battery, hit the start butt, and away she went, was the first time the bike has ran in almost 5yrs, i just got the bike about a mo ago, now all i need is some tires, and minor items to get it road ready.

Thanks Randy

[randy]

Glad that worked out, but be prepared to do the solder fix in the near future. Corrosion in that area is a common problem and eventually leads to the failure of those solder joints.