Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Left coil not producing spark

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Left coil not producing spark

    Hey Everyone,
    I just joined this forum today! About a month ago I bought a 1979 XS1100F. It wasnt running at the time and still isn't. I am having problems getting spark out of the left coil (Cylinders 1 & 4). I have tried replacing the ignition coils, and checking the resistance. I have tested the wiring going up to the ignition coils and all checks out. I read in the manual to check the voltage on each terminal of the TCI box and I am getting proper reading. Any suggestions before I replace the TCI box?
    John W.
    79 XS11F
    Tags: coils, ignition, spark ignition coil
  • #2
    Probably a broken pick-up wire... look here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543
    Last edited by crazy steve; 10-05-2012, 09:29 PM.
    Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

    '78E original owner - resto project
    '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
    '82 XJ rebuild project
    '80SG restified, red SOLD
    '79F parts...
    '81H more parts...

    Other current bikes:
    '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
    '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
    '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
    Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
    Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

    Comment

    • #3
      TCI rarely fails, nearly positive it is going to be pickups.
      Nathan
      KD9ARL

      μολὼν λαβέ

      1978 XS1100E
      K&N Filter
      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
      OEM Exhaust
      ATK Fork Brace
      LED Dash lights
      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
      Green Monster Coils
      SS Brake Lines
      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

      Theodore Roosevelt

      Comment

      • #4
        Check the connector that the red wires from the coils plug into. That double female connector can fail from fatigue, I had to replace mine once...
        '79 XS11 F
        Stock except K&N

        '79 XS11 SF
        Stock, no title.

        '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
        GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

        "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

        Comment

        • #5
          Thanks for the help so far guys! That patch had already been done once on the pickup coil wires. I couldnt find any splits the way the walkthrough said, but did it again. Still no spark. I checked all the plug connections, lubed them with dielectrical grease. I am getting proper resistance from testing the plug that goes into the TCI box. Is there anything else you all could think of that could be?

          John Warpinski
          John W.
          79 XS11F

          Comment

          • #6
            Do the actual pickups go bad? Does anyone know where to get any pick up coils?

            John Warpinski
            John W.
            79 XS11F

            Comment

            • #7
              Sure...could be the solder joints inside the box. If your resistance readings are correct, your pickups are OK. No telling, though, if there are intermittent breaks in the wires.
              Last edited by DAVINCI; 10-15-2012, 02:58 PM.
              Former owner, but I have NO PARTS LEFT!

              Comment

              • #8
                So the wires could be split all the way up to the plug behind the fuse box? Any easy way to replace that?
                John W.
                79 XS11F

                Comment

                • #9
                  I am getting proper resistance from testing the plug that goes into the TCI box.
                  Was this a mis-statement? Or did I misinterpret it? It appears to claim that you already have tested the pickups from the TCI, no?
                  Former owner, but I have NO PARTS LEFT!

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Hey John,

                    The PU wires are fragile, and after 30+ years, they don't handle the constant flexing very well, and IF the repair was just soldering together the old wires, then that's where you should look more closely for additional intermittent breaks. The wires don't split up the line to the TCI, just around the PU coils where they are flexing so much.

                    As Davinci stated, the solder joints on the TCI where the external prongs are soldered to the PCB can go bad, and resweating/soldering them can correct problems. DO NOT try to take the PCB out of the TCI box, just take the cover off and access the solder joints directly.

                    PU coils can go bad, but that is also rare.
                    T.C.
                    T. C. Gresham
                    81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
                    79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
                    History shows again and again,
                    How nature points out the folly of men!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      So After testing the tci box a little more I am not getting any voltage out of the white/red connector on the TCI box. Is it the box or wiring? I re soldered and still no voltage.
                      John W.
                      79 XS11F

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by warpin987 View Post
                        So After testing the tci box a little more I am not getting any voltage out of the white/red connector on the TCI box. Is it the box or wiring? I re soldered and still no voltage.
                        That is the power input to the TCI, so if you don't have any voltage present, go check the rear fuse in the fuse box. There should be 12 volts at the tan wire, then through the fuse to the red/w wire. If you have it there, there is a open in the r/w wire going to the TCI. The run/ stop switch might be in the wrong position, or disconnected. CZ

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Everyone,
                          Thank you for all your help. It was the TCI. I ordered a used one off ebay, plugged it in, now have spark to all the cylinders. No have a problem with the carbs. Took them apart to clean them only to find that the Float pin holder in my outer left side carb was cracked off. The float pin doesnt sit right and is bent so the float doesnt work correctly. So my question is now this, would the outer left side carb fit from an xs750? My friend has an extra set that I could buy from him if it does.
                          Last edited by warpin987; 10-27-2012, 01:14 PM.
                          John W.
                          79 XS11F

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Here is a picture of it
                            http://www.flickr.com/photos/8070331@N07/8128494334/

                            **Hey Warpin**, to post the photo and have it show, in Flicker, click on the SHARE drop down, then select the HTML/BB Code, then grab the bbcode, it will actually be several sets of codes....temporarily paste all of it into a notepad window, then find the code with the {IMG} tags in front and behind the URL html code, copy it and then paste it into the thread/post and it will display like this!



                            That break is actually the easiest to repair because you still have the bottom portion of the post that cradles the float pin. You can get new pins, or just use a brad nail or similar piece of smooth metal, make sure it's small enough to slide thru the float portion without hanging up or sticking! It does not need to have a large head or such on either end, nor does is need to be a snug fit, the float BOWL will keep the pin from falling out once the bowl is in place.

                            Take a small drill and drill a small hole thru the base of the float post, then get some SS security wire and use it to secure the new float pin to the post base, the other side/post will secure the other end just fine.

                            T.C.
                            John W.
                            79 XS11F

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Nope, 750 carbs will not work.
                              Nathan
                              KD9ARL

                              μολὼν λαβέ

                              1978 XS1100E
                              K&N Filter
                              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                              OEM Exhaust
                              ATK Fork Brace
                              LED Dash lights
                              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                              Green Monster Coils
                              SS Brake Lines
                              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                              Theodore Roosevelt

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X