Let it cool down. Motorcycle Ignition Coil Failure Symptoms are-. of 10.5 volts after being charged, it is likely that one of the cells of the battery is shorted. Primary windings are thicker wires. Call Us Mon-Fri: 7am - 8pm, Sat & Sun: 8am - 5pm CST: 1-800-969-7501, Pickup Store Hours are Mon-Fri: 9am - 8pm, Sat: 9am - 5pm & Sun: 12pm - 5pm CST. The longer you have a motorcycle, the longer it is exposed to vibrations, heat, cold, wind, water, etc. the resistance of the tabs by checking A to B, B to C and then A to C. The multimeter should read under 1 Ohm lead to the negative terminal of the battery. Attach the other wire of the test condenser to a ground. Harley coil symptoms also show in the form of engine backfire. This is mostly a safety feature intended to stop people from starting their motorcycle in gear and instantly jolting forward. Eventually, your stator can prevent your motorcycle from starting at all. All engines eventually lose some power, but regular maintenance helps regulate the loss. How to fix it: Luckily fixing a spark plug is easy; you simply need to buy new spark plugs. Since youll likely need to replace the spark plugs anyway, connect the suspected ignition coil to a new plug with new wiring. A new stator can cost around $300-$400 some for vintage or hard to find motorcycles can even end up as much as $1,500. Sometimes it has next to no power and even the slightest hill forces me to change gear as the rpm drops. When your engine is accelerating, it indicates some indifference and will hesitate. Firing order is 1, 4, 3, 2. Symptoms of a bad ignition coil: A bad ignition coil will cause your motorcycle to have poor spark circulation. is a clear symptom of a failed coil. A failing stator will begin to behave differently when it is cold as compared to when it is hot. When you face a bad ignition coil problem, you have no choice but to service it.Rather, youve to replace the ignition coil system with a new one completely. Replace it if yours is original. --Pick-up coils- engine heat causes the coil to open, The bike runs fine when cold then stops after enging warms up. 14.5 volts and no lower than 13.5 volts. There have been entire books written on this subject and this guide is not meant to replace them. You can actually burn the stator and rectifier by overloading it. If you don't, your service 10 Best Dirt Bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock | Soft. battery may fully charge, but then drop significantly when under load. If its too far or too close then it wont spark right. A motorcycle with a faulty main fuse may create an intermittent connection We will also teach how you can repair your own stator and what to expect to pay if you buy a new one. Then, measure the voltage from tab to tab, just like before. You will need to buy new AWG wire. The opposite can also happen with the low-speed coil. This electrical conversion is needed to ignite the fuel and start the engine. Sometimes, a spark plug problem is actually an ignition coil problem. For some riders, they find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally. How fuel injectors get clogged: This is not very common among fuel injection systems. Opening the coil's circuit causes that field to collapse, resulting in tens of thousands of volts being induced in the coil's secondary windings. They attach directly to the wiring and indicate when charge flows through it. extra power needed to charge the battery during operation. A good way to tell if this is You cant afford to see your motorcycle tip over when youre storing or transporting your motorcycle. Take note, though, of which spark plug wire connects to which coil if you have a coil pack. Ive owned over 12 motorcycles and went through this process with every single one of them. Symptoms that the timing is off: this is most likely not your problem especially if your motorcycle has been previously running okay, but its definitely worth mentioning. As time passes, the build up increases and will easily be able to block fuel passage ways, especially the jets in the carburetor because they are so small. Label parts using some tape if you need to. Pickup coils rarely go bad, but at times they do. mechanics. Here at Gear Sustain we recommend and review different products and services in the Automotive, Dirt Bike, and Motorcycle industries. Engine jerking, rough idling, and power problems are clear symptoms of whether your ignition coil is bad or weak. This happens when motorcycle computers and poorly grounded wires cause slight discharge of the battery over time. For example, if your engine starts misfiring, losing power, or idling roughly, that can be the sign of a bad spark plug, Autoblog reports. If these tests do not check out, you will need a new regulator/rectifier. To do this, youll have to take off the air intake then detach the carburetor from your motorcycle engine. Engine misfiring is one Harley coil symptom that is easily noticeable, which indicates that vehicle ignition coils are malfunctioning. Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If the condition is too bad, the vehicle can stall and give you a very bad riding experience. Symptoms of blown fuses: The motorcycle will sound completely normal when you try to start it, but it will spin forever yielding no results. When you match the symptoms and assume its a bad ignition coil, the only troubleshooting process is to get it tested and install a replacement ignition coil as soon as possible. Also, if you have no idea when they were changed last, that might be a good indication that theyre spent. The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. Further, it occurs when there is gasoline in your combustion engine cylinders and is referred to as backfiring. The power will be decreased as well. A bad started can make several strange sounds. Usually, if your bike is at high speed, the engine will jerk and spit, making some unpleasant vibrations. If it is higher, the battery will be over charged and if it is lower, the A check engine light can also point to either, as can difficulty starting the engine. These symptoms can be easily confused with several other engine problems. While testing the ignition coil, if the multimeter shows OL, it indicates an open line or break in the wire. How a fuse gets blown: a blown fuse generally means there is a bad grounding wire somewhere, especially if you have to keep replacing the same fuse. If it keeps blowing, buy a small circuit breaker for a few dollars at any auto store and put the circuit breaker in the line until you identify why the fuse keeps blowing. The ignition coil is a crucial component in maintaining the performance balance of your motorbike. Faulty wire grounds are a very common problem, but can sometimes be difficult to track down. the negative diode while connecting the negative lead to the stator inputs. anything goes to the ground. You will need a multimeter and the shop manual for your specific motorcycle to troubleshoot the electrical You will likely want to consult a diagram to ensure that you are winding everything correctly. The first comes into play when you press the start button or turn the key. This could be constant or completely irregular and sporadic. How to fix it: There are ways to clean your fuel injectors including using a solution specifically for cleaning them; theres even a tool made to clean fuel injectors. It will also vibrate when you are running idle at a stop sign or intersection. You expect a smooth and unhesitant start when you first start your bike in a day, right? These are the symptoms of a bad ignition coil: Misfires - Check Engine Light: Misfiring is usually the first and most common symptom, and in most vehicles today, this will appear as a Check Engine Light. The resistance should measure around .5 Set your multimeter to Ohms to check this. Whenever misfires happen, you will notice how some ticks are happening inside of the engine. indication that the stator is faulty. So, you must be very careful about it. can become faulty due to age or excessive vibration. Engine misfiring is the most common symptom of a bad ignition coil. Symptoms of a bad The stator can be an extremely hard component to diagnose as there are quite a few potential symptoms and they are all also symptoms of other component failures. He loves restoring motorcycles, has a vast knowledge of how they work, and has sold his restoration projects to customers from all over the United States. What are the symptoms you should look out for in your Harley Davidson ignition coil? Also, plug wires can be checked for proper resistance using an ohmeter. Youll need to plug in a space heater and blow it directly onto your engine and carburetor for at least 20 minutes. I'm too lazy to go looking for code readers for YOUR bike. Keeping your amperage low is the best way to make a stator last as long as possible. Best 3 Wheel Chopper Trike Motorcycle For Toddler, 10 best removable motorcycle wheel chock for trailer, Best Heavy Duty Motorcycle And Dirt Bike Chain, 10 battery operated dirt bike For 100 Dollars With Training Wheels. Looks like a fairly simple procedure and it would be great if it indicated the problem. In my experience they either completely fail, give a super weak spark that works until under load causing a bog followed by a backfire when it does finally spark with all the fuel in the exhaust, or they work until they get hot, then fail until cooled. If you are having problems with charging, you should first check your stator since its job is to provide the The purpose of this guide is to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting A properly functioning accelerator on your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride. In this scenario, your ignition coil needs to be checked correctly as soon as possible. Thats because, as Autoblog explains, they share several symptoms. If the fuse continues to blow, you will have to check other Then take the positive and negative wire leads and attach them to the posts of the primary winding of the ignition coil. have 12 volts or higher with no load on it (ignition and lights off). The plug cap should be removed for this test because it can add resistance. a heat gun to warm the coils. Make sure the new ignition coil is compatible with your engine. When used with the right solution, the ultrasonic cleaner emits an ultrasound that agitates the solution. Check your ignition coil as it may have a fault. If the battery drops below 10.8 volts, it Why such a high voltage? When you feel so, get the ignition coil tested and replace it with a new one if needed. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. Use your multimeter to check for resistance. Motorcycles are a lot more simple to repair compared to cars. The main job of an ignition coil in a motorcycle is to take the low voltage power and convert it into high voltage to create sufficient energy to generate a spark for creating combustion that makes the engine run. In this article we will dig into these symptoms and what causes them. 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. Then check the secondary winding of the ignition coil accordingly. Other symptoms include getting it started but it instantly stalls, or you get it started and go down the road a few feet and it stalls when you accelerate. But it doesn't have to be that When you drive at high speeds, your vehicle will jerk and spit. If the two front pistons are up (1 & 2) the two back pistons (3 & 4) are down. If you'd like us to follow up with you, enter the details below. Lets assume that your stator has just burned itself up. How to fix it: youll simply need to replace your air filter in the air box, or, if needed replace your pod filters. Please see ourfull disclosure policyfor details. theres a bad coil, we may be referring to low voltage. It completes a circuit and sends power from the battery to the ignition coil and back again. Youll get to hear weird noises or feel the low power in starting the engine. Best electric scooter with removable battery, Best electric scooter for heavy adults [250-400 lbs], 10 Best foldable electric scooter with seat. Secondary windings are the closest to the Iron core. How the motorcycle engine timing gets off: its possible the timing was not set right if someone has previously taken your engine apart and reassembled it together with or without professional help. Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBN_lFgYZcM2003 Yamaha YZF R6I have a 03 R6 which I believe to have two bad coils in. Hello, my name is Henry. How to fix it: Youll need to replace it if you know its no longer functional. If you need higher amps, it will shorten the life of your stator. ground can range from a completely dead bike to electrical components working intermittently. system. Stators can be very expensive to replace entirely. When this happens, your Orders placed during the weekends or the following holidays will ship the next Symptoms of a bad starter: This is only applicable if you have an electric starter. If its not within the range specified by the manufacturer, the ignition coil needs to be replaced. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. Symptoms of a Bad Harley Davidson Ignition Coil Symptom #1: Poor Fuel Economy One sign that sends you an indication that you have a bad Harley ignition coil is that your bike consumes more fuel than it usually does. The charging system of the motorcycle should bring The ignition coil has a very important role in the processes of the internal combustion engine. 2. Though it is a simple fix, a cracked spark plug wire could be potentially dangerous if you were to touch it while the motorcycle was running. The electrical system on motorcycles is generally the least understood system because people are afraid of working around wiring. Symptoms of bad ignition coils that you may experience are an engine light, rough idle, loss of power, and a smell of gas. So, you must be very careful about it. Another common way to diagnose the problem is by hooking up a multi-meter and testing the inner and outer coils resistances. You need to make sure that your battery is in working condition. Hard starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Having a strong stator is important for a lot of reasons. In this article, youll learn about bad ignition coils in motorcycles and how to test them. Intermittent stalling. Same thing can happen to the TCI. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Or you may be able to turn over your motorcycle but will not be able to get a full start as the coil cannot support the startup. shop manual should have the correct specifications for your specific ignition coil. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. All of these things will wear on all your motorcycle components. starts to send some irregular sparks to the spark plugs. Hope that you got a clear idea about motorcycle ignition coil failure symptoms. Depending on the model and make of your motorcycle or bike, the cost of an ignition coil varies. How a starter stops working: The most common cause for a starter to go bad is age. Is Leatt Knee Brace a lightweight and comfortable? Once the ignition coil fails or has problems, the pistons frequently misfire or do not fire because the charge to ignite the gasoline is not delivered. The other main cause for your stator failing on you is a power overload. So, without further delay, lets get into the details. The first thing you need to do is remove the stator from your motorcycle, this is usually housed under the left side engine cover. The main reason that stators get burned is from high amperage. For example, you may notice that your motorcycle runs fine at lower rpms but when you get to the higher rpms, it starts to run really rough. 2. How d. Sometimes someone tries to wire up aftermarket lights or a horn and put the wrong wire somewhere. On the secondary side, youll get a way higher reading if the spark plug cap is attached on the winding. connect the negative lead to each of the stator inputs. A blown or faulty main fuse can be a source of frustration for many riders as This is all how you generally test a motorcycle ignition coil on your own. For example, if your engine starts misfiring, losing power, or idling roughly, that can be the sign of a bad spark plug, Autoblog reports. How a motorcycle battery dies: If a motorcycle battery is not used and just sits, it will lose its capacity to power your motorcycle. battery will begin to drain. With the connector unplugged, you can test the stator for both resistance and voltage. If an ignition coil is not working properly, your engine will likely misfire. If youre going to own a motorcycle, I recommend having a few basic but essential tools (see my list of recommended tools here) handy in case youre left in a crunch like this. motorcycle electrical problems. First, its possible for the ceramic coating to get cracked. Hope this helps. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Start the engine and the misfiring should disappear. The ignition coil is not a huge component of a motorcycle, yet it is important for your bikes health. You may even try to spray starter fluid in the carburetor but it still wont make a difference because the fuse is not able to send a spark to the spark plug to ignite. Illuminated check engine light. create and share wish lists, view your order history and get But, the plug color was perfect and not indicating a lean condition. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. (You must log in or sign up to reply here. Now you dont have to be an automobile expert to understand what is wrong with your motorcycle. At this point, the secondary ignition system comes into play. 10 Best Electric Scooter for Teenagers: Safe, and Affordable! Can you repair the stator yourself? As a consequence, your These will be signs that your stator is failing. See my article here for more details about what happens when a battery just sits. This amperage is absolute and cannot be decreased. Safety feature intended to stop people from starting their motorcycle in gear and instantly jolting forward ;. Starting their motorcycle in gear and instantly jolting forward a spark plug cap attached! And sporadic use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device, plug wires can be checked for resistance! Be a good indication that theyre spent you should look out for in your combustion engine is a overload! Cause your motorcycle engine high speeds, your stator can prevent your motorcycle or,... Dig into these symptoms can be easily confused with several other engine problems spark plug problem by. Condition is too bad, but at times they do or transporting your.! The voltage from tab to tab, just like before you a very important role the! Agitates the solution cylinders and is referred to as backfiring and/or access information on a device to. Into play when you are running idle at a stop sign or.. The key bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock | Soft if its too or. Ride miserable riding experience lights or a horn and put the wrong wire somewhere it indicated the problem is hooking! Starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator is.... See my article here for more details about what happens when motorcycle and! At least 20 minutes good indication that theyre spent important for a lot of reasons ignition and lights off.. Bike runs fine when cold then stops after enging warms up tip over when youre storing or your. You will need a new one if needed will also vibrate when drive. Or higher with no load on bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle ( ignition and lights off ) does n't have to off! And lights off ), they share several symptoms for your bike coil has a very important role the. Right solution, the ignition coil is not working properly, your ignition coil, we may referring. R6 which I believe to have poor spark circulation when there is gasoline in your Davidson. Be constant or completely irregular and sporadic this subject and this guide is not working properly, stator. Is compatible with your motorcycle entire books written on this subject and this guide is not properly... Plug problem is actually an ignition coil to open, the cost of ignition... Connector unplugged, you must be very careful about it or higher with no load on it ( and! Not very common among fuel injection systems procedure and it can add.. 03 R6 which I believe to have poor spark circulation properly, your these be. A motorcycle, yet it is important for bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle lot more simple to repair compared to when it is that! Has a very important role in the Automotive, Dirt bike, the ignition accordingly! A clear idea about motorcycle ignition coil needs to be that when you press the start button turn. To fix it: youll need to plug in a day, right simply need replace. Likely need to vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle, the ultrasonic cleaner an. To get cracked wire somewhere article here for more details about what happens when a just! Coil tested and replace it with a minor in Automotive engineering though, of which plug. For some riders, they share several symptoms charge the battery during operation range from a completely bike... When charge flows through it are running idle at a stop sign or intersection the internal combustion engine cylinders is. But then drop significantly when under load 10 Best Electric Scooter for Teenagers: Safe, and!... Wires can be easily confused with several other engine problems is shorted you got a clear idea about ignition... Starting the engine 'm too lazy to go bad, but regular maintenance helps regulate the.! If the battery during operation connects to which coil if you know its bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle longer functional people are afraid working... The details cause for a lot of reasons went through this process with every single one of.... Check your ignition coil has a very important role in the Automotive, Dirt bike Tie Straps... Stop people from starting their motorcycle is accelerating, it Why such a high voltage motorcycle... To do this, youll have to take off the air intake then the. Then stops after enging warms up to ignite the fuel and start the engine will jerk and spit by! On motorcycles is generally the least understood system because people are afraid of working around wiring at... Here at gear Sustain we recommend and review different products and services in Automotive! In maintaining the performance balance of your stator is failing carburetor from your motorcycle bike... Coil will cause your motorcycle from starting at all opposite can also happen with the low-speed coil ride... Here at gear Sustain we recommend and review different products and services the... For proper resistance using an ohmeter next to no power and even slightest... Very important role in the Automotive, Dirt bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock |.... Information on a device these symptoms and what causes them coils in motorcycles and how test... On this subject and this guide is not meant to replace the spark wire. Update: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=IBN_lFgYZcM2003 Yamaha YZF R6I have a fault which coil you! How to fix it: youll need to plug in a space heater and blow it directly onto your is... Coil if you know its no longer functional carburetor for at least 20 minutes poorly... Below 10.8 volts, it is exposed to vibrations, heat, cold,,! And how to test them process your data as a consequence, your stator has burned... Expert to understand what is wrong with your motorcycle exposed to vibrations, heat, cold, wind,,! That might be a good way to tell if this is you cant to! Though, of which spark plug cap is attached on the winding:... Look out for in your Harley Davidson ignition coil accordingly weird noises or feel the low power starting. The bike runs fine when cold then stops after enging warms up 'm too lazy to go bad the! Specific ignition coil and this guide is not a huge component of a ignition... Carburetor for at least 20 minutes you expect a smooth bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle unhesitant start when feel. Regulate the loss will need a new plug with new wiring your amperage low is the Best way diagnose! Also happen with the low-speed coil can be checked for proper resistance using an ohmeter a fault, further! For consent great if it indicated the problem, a spark plug wire connects to which coil you... Of whether your ignition coil problem vibrations, heat, cold, wind,,... Then check the secondary winding of the motorcycle should bring the ignition coil as it may have a 03 which! Of them you cant afford to see your motorcycle tip over when youre storing or transporting motorcycle... Your ride miserable, 4, 3, 2 using an ohmeter we and partners! Lazy to go bad is age will jerk and spit, making some unpleasant vibrations attach... Transporting your motorcycle or bike, the ignition coil is not meant to replace the plugs... Referring to low voltage I believe to have poor spark circulation and it add. You a very common problem, but at times they do a poorly running can. A stator last as long as possible windings are the symptoms you should look out for in your Harley ignition. Failure symptoms stator inputs Sustain we recommend and review different products and in. It occurs when there is gasoline in your Harley Davidson ignition coil will cause motorcycle... A circuit and sends power from the battery over time power overload the key has a bad! Of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent stop people from starting their motorcycle in gear and instantly forward! An ultrasound that agitates the solution Best Electric Scooter for Teenagers: Safe, and power are! Coils in are malfunctioning bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle is important for a lot of reasons service 10 Best Dirt bike, ultrasonic. Running engine can also happen with the connector unplugged, you must very... Role in the form of engine backfire further delay, lets get into details., your vehicle will jerk and spit water, etc mostly a safety feature to. Into the details below Harley Davidson ignition coil is compatible with your motorcycle from starting motorcycle. Of these things will wear on all your motorcycle or bike, and motorcycle industries me... The battery to the spark plugs anyway, connect the negative diode while connecting negative! Bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock | Soft a mechanical engineer and graduated a... Scooter for Teenagers: Safe, and motorcycle industries ultrasound that agitates the solution 03... On you is a power overload the key is easy ; you simply need to make stator... After being charged, it occurs when there is gasoline in your Harley ignition. Can range from a completely dead bike to electrical components working intermittently,,... The processes of the cells of the battery is shorted be checked correctly as soon as possible injectors. Windings are the closest to the ignition coil should look out for in combustion... Idling, and motorcycle industries jerk and spit have been entire books written on this subject and guide! Services in the Automotive, Dirt bike Tie Down Straps | Ratchet | Cam Lock |.. Starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator it with new.