 Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Due to the bike firing on one cylinder, the America managed to limp home about 14 miles. This happened last April. Last month the bike was started and it was still firing on one side. Last night, it started and went for a trouble free 20 mile ride.  Whether or not the bike is firing on both cylinders or not, does a mechanic use a diagnostic machine to test the coil or cdi? Should I wait until the bike acts up again or go ahead and take it to the shop? The reason why is because it is a logistical pain to get it there.
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quick answers here...
When it starts running on one cylinder, swap the wires around from one coil to the other. If it the other cylinder is running, then the coil is bad. If the same cylinder is still not running, then it is the CDI.
They may be able to diagnose it at the shop. With it being intermittent like that, I am going to guess it's the CDI. Usually, if a coil goes bad, it stays bad.
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Thanks Soren. The CDI is under the tank, the coil under the seat, correct?
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
One CDI under the tank, top tube behind the left coil.
Two coils, one on either side of the top tube just behind the headset.
my experience with bad coils is they cut out once they get hotterer: anywhere from 10 to 25 miles when starting out from ambient temperature. At the least, remove the tank (pillion, saddle, console, fuel line, then tank) and unplug then re-plug the CDI and the coils.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
You can see the two coils and three relays. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
His country of origin is "Kentucky"  September 20, 2005 Canadian Border, Niagara Falls. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
That's a jeopardy answer. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Thanks for the picture Moe. That helps big time. As you can tell, I'm no mechanic. Switching the coil wires to test shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
That's a jeopardy answer.
OH SORRY!, your answer MUST be in the form of a question!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
Quote:
His country of origin is "Kentucky"
September 20, 2005 Canadian Border, Niagara Falls.
He's used that line a couple of times. He and I were in a roadside "establishment" 2012 in somewheresville Wis. We were introduced as world travelers by the bartender, err the owner, I suppose it had something to do with his Kentucky accent and nothing to do with my East Tennessee drawl. Good times
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
|
|
Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Yota has a coil posted in the classifieds. There's an easy remove and replace diagnostic tool, then you'd know for sure which unit is failing.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
JR's picture posting could still be a random event! 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
I have one good coil (ONE!?, yeah, imagine that  ) that I'll send ya in a $5 Flat Rate Box for TESTING PURPOSES ONLY. Sorry, will not sell. But I suggest you try the methods above FIRST, as they could save time and shipping. Peace!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
Re: Diagnosing coil or cdi problems
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Well POOP, Yotas is FREE anyway! Just go that way, before someone like Erle take's it for back-up. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
|
|
