Rectifier/Regulator Troubles, I think ???

[Tricod]

Well the saga continues with problems with my bike. Its 1981 XS1100 SH. In order to solve a charging problem that the bike presented I replaced the Rectifier/regulator with a new one from Partnmore.com after wiring it in it seemed to work fine, I rode it to work and back on Sat and not narry a problem arose. I went to take it for a spin about an hour ago and it seems that its not timing right now or something I don’t know what’s going on. It started up and ran for probably 1min and a half or so on full choke and then died. So I proceeded to try it again. It started but only on three cyl.'s the #4 cyl. wasn’t firing (pipes on it were cooler than the rest) so I shut it off thinking it was just sticking somewhere. Tried again and again and it would fire sometimes for a few sec then die but still never on all four cyl. What makes me wonder is that the cyl not firing changed! At first, as I said, #4 wasn’t firing, yet by the time I gave up trying to start it, #2 wasn’t firing but #4 was.

Is there anything with installing the new Rectifier/Regulator that would have caused this? Wiring it wrong? poor connecting somewhere? Etc... Its quite possible I wired it in wrong but I may have it right (I’m no electrical engineer)

Thanks in advance.

Brad

[chevy45412001]

wires

did you look at the pickup coil wires?under the left engine cover.They are pretty notorious for breakin and changing witch cycl is firing.I'm sure an XSsive will chime in ,I don't have those probs i'm an XJive owner

[dbyers]

Here's a GREAT Thread to check .. http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...&threadid=4206

and take a look at this website and download this .pdf file. It will tell you the proper steps to take and how to find your charging issue.
http://www.electrexusa.com/electrex_fault_finding.html

Good luck and keep your chin up..

[randy]

Lets see...an 81SH.

TCI is under the seat, next to the tool box, right? I'll bet when you were replacing the reg, you jiggled the TCI connectors enough to cause intermittent operation. Or, you've just got real bad luck and the TCI coincidentally decided now to act up. Pull the connectors and give 'em a cleaning.

If that doesn't work and your pickups check out OK, give me a PM and we'll get your TCI fixed.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tricod,

You said it was #4 first failing, and then #2. That is odd, cause the Ignition coils control 1-4 pair and 2-3 pair. The carbs a fuel lines feed 1-2 pair and 3-4 pair. The pickup coils also only control the previous pairs similar to the Ignition coil pairing. And likewise, the TCI controls both coils separately, so having only 1 cylinder go out kinda eliminates the electrical system to some degree!?

How did you verify that the cylinder wasn't firing, pull the plug wires, or that the pipes were cool/colder than the others?? Having only 1 cylinder go out instead of a pair leads me to think more about fuel, but can't rule out the business end of the coils, the high tension leads and plug caps!?

Like Randy said, wouldn't hurt to clean and reconnect the connectors to the TCI, you might get lucky!
T.C.

[John]

Speaking of regulators

I checked the P/N for the regulator for the xs11and the xs750, and they are the same. We can get some stuff from the 750-850 auctions at ebay.

[Tricod]

Well, here is some more info. I tried some things today with it and it start but on only 2 cyl this time. #1 and #2 weren’t firing. So now it fits the pairing stuff. Maybe that changes something.
Also help me out here what is the TCI? TopCatGr58: I could tell that the cyl weren’t firing because the pipes were cold, as well as I pulled the plug wires just to check.

Brad

[Tricod]

Oh another thing. Probably unrelated but maybe not. When I run the bike the headlight comes on normaly, However since I changed the regulator it still comes on but when I try to switch to Highbeams it actually turns off completely.

[skids]

The TCI box needs something like 10.5 volts to send ignition. Perhaps it is teedering on that limit for some reason. Bad batteries can fool you this way. Also try pulling the head light fuse and see if she runs normally longer. You might also check the condition of the ignition fuse clip (just guess at things here).

Originally posted by Tricod
Oh another thing. Probably unrelated but maybe not. When I run the bike the headlight comes on normaly, However since I changed the regulator it still comes on but when I try to switch to Highbeams it actually turns off completely.

[randy]

Brad,

The TCI or Transistor Controlled Ignition box is the brain of the ignition system. On your special, it's located under the seat just aft of the tool box.

Pictures of the TCI are here:

Randy's XS Page

[TopCatGr58]

Okay, Tricod,

Now with that pairing, 1-2, you've narrowed it down more actually to a fuel problem. Check the petcock that feeds that pair. Being an 81SH it probably still has the Octopus, unless you've removed and bypassed it. You can put the petcocks on PRIME and see it the left pair starts firing. If so, then the octopus or the lines could also be suspect! Check for kinks. Pull them all off and inspect for crud! My money is on the FUEL system!
T.C.

[Tricod]

Well Topcat you were correct. It seems that after I put the tank back on there from replacing the regulator there was a little kink in one of the lines (I removed the Octopus) I just Unkinked it and it fired right up. Gosh darn It its always the simple stuff that leaves me most confused. But I did get Nice clean TCI so that should help out in the future and prolong other problems.

Thanks

Brad