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Cylinders 1 and 4 not firing

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    #16
    Here is an example of an aftermarket kit:

    Z1 Enterprises specializes in quality Motorcycle parts for Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha Classic Japanese motorcycles from the 1970's and 1980's.

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      #17
      ok so what i did this morning was pull off the cover and look at the contact points as the engine was firing. and i saw minor arcing more from the 2-3 than from 1-4 but there was some there as well.

      Also it seemed like it worked intermittently. I.e. once i got it up and rev'ing higher cylinders 1 and 4 started working a little and then i pulled the spark plugs off it decreased in Rpm and then stopped firing out of 1 and 4, then i'd rev it up again and that process would repeat. Also, when it first starts it seems to work fine, but after 5 minutes or so thats when it gets weak.

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        #18
        ok for kicks and giggles again i tried to switch the wires so that the 1 and 4 ignition coil fires the 2-3 cylinders and the 2-3 coil fires the 1 and 4. And the result is it won't even start up. I switch the wires back and it fires right up with only 2 and 3 working.

        Does this mean i bought a bad coil off of ebay?

        I just checked the timing and the timing of the points is perfect for both 2-3 and 1-4

        does this help confirm the condenser theory?

        I also check for continuity between all the wires and there was all the way from the points wire to where the ignition coil is
        Last edited by Guest; 02-18-2012, 03:46 PM.

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          #19
          Replace the points, condensers and plugs then go from there.
          At least then you know for sure these items aren't a problem.
          sigpic

          82 GS850
          78 GS1000
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            #20
            Originally posted by 850 Combat View Post
            A common failure more with points is the points cam wears the plastic rub block until the points don't open enough. This stops firing. If it looks like you see arcing in the points when its running, that is generally the condenser.
            A more common failure with points is someone with no clue how they work sets them incorrectly.
            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

            Life is too short to ride an L.

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              #21
              Originally posted by Flynride View Post
              ok so what i did this morning was pull off the cover and look at the contact points as the engine was firing. and i saw minor arcing more from the 2-3 than from 1-4 but there was some there as well.

              Also it seemed like it worked intermittently. I.e. once i got it up and rev'ing higher cylinders 1 and 4 started working a little and then i pulled the spark plugs off it decreased in Rpm and then stopped firing out of 1 and 4, then i'd rev it up again and that process would repeat. Also, when it first starts it seems to work fine, but after 5 minutes or so thats when it gets weak.

              This is damned peculiar. Sounds like it could be a thermal problem with the condenser breaking down as it heats up. At this point I would go back to basics. I would disconnect the plug wires from the caps of one and four and clean the inside of the caps where the plug wires screw into it, then I'd cut about 3/8" from the end of each plug wire from and screw the cap back on.
              With cylinder 1 or 4 plug uninstalled but connected to the spark plug cap start the bike up and ground the base of the plug to the engine and see what kind of spark you get and if it changes in intensity as the engine warms up.
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              Steve
              "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." :cool:
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              '79 GS1000EN
              '82 GS1100EZ

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                #22
                ok so the problem is fixed, I'm not sure what did it exactly, but i think it was the timing.

                I cleaned all the electrical contact points in the wiring harness as well as the contact points in the timing portion of the engine, and it seemed to help generated a more consistent "hot" spark. But still was inconsistent. Then I thought to myself, well if i'm gonna end up buying new contacts and a condenser might as well try to time it now.

                So, thats what i did, I shifted the advance timing portion and suddenly it ran on all 4 cylinders again! Then, I found some one with a timing light and timed it correctly and it's running like a champ!

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                  #23
                  Gosh, I love happy endings. Usually when something doesn't work right and you keep banging your head against a wall trying to figure out what's wrong, go back to basics and figure out what the problem was, it all makes perfect sense as to why it was doing what it was doing. I think you earned a road trip.
                  sigpic
                  Steve
                  "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." :cool:
                  _________________
                  '79 GS1000EN
                  '82 GS1100EZ

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