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One cylinder not firing . . .

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by joshbob, Mar 20, 2012.

  1. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Thought I'd put this little problem out there and see what happens. I started riding to town yesterday and a few miles out I noticed I was only firing on one cylinder. Looked down and the front plug wire was dangling in the breeze - came loose from the coil.
    Pulled over and shut it down, reconnected it and started it up and it was still only firing on one cylinder. Limped home that way.
    This morning pulled the plugs and cleaned them but have not tried to start it again. What do I do next? Try to start it? Or . . .?
    joshbob, Mar 20, 2012
    #1
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Is the wire tight in the coil ? & did any dirt get in the coil hole ? Key off small brush or pocket knife clean The coil hole & replug wire in & start
    cowboy, Mar 20, 2012
    #2
  4. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    How old are the spark plug wires. My brother had a problem with one cyclinder not firing consistantly, turned out to be a bad wire.
    ringo912, Mar 22, 2012
    #3
  5. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    It turned out to be a bad coil. Must have shorted when the the plug wire popped out. There is no voltage going out the top tower on the coil. Both plug wires are new and are delivering voltage to the plugs when I switch them to the lower tower.
    This time, I'm going to get an Andrews double fire coil - even looks like an original one. The other one I had was cheap and made in the Orient somewhere. Piece of crap, plus the primary resistance was a bit low: 4.3 ohms. The minimum should be 4.8 ohms.
    Good news is my RX goggles should be here today . . . but I won't be able to ride for another week or so waiting on the coil from J&P.:(
    joshbob, Mar 22, 2012
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    JB can your ignition run single fire?
    you want a single file coil, the engine will run
    significantly cooler and smoother...

    Double fire is a wasted spark, old technology
    and HD got rid of it on the Evo,

    Couldn't remember if you were running points or an electronic ignition
    hotroadking, Mar 22, 2012
    #5

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