Single cyl in the rain
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Single cyl in the rain
On my way to work this morning my bike quit running on 1 cylinder.
It was raining, but not that hard. I pulled over and checked things out.
The spark plug wires are on tight, no broken wires that I can see.
Where to start? After 3-4 minutes of idling on the side of the road she started
running right, on both cylinders.
I keep her stored inside at night, by the way.
Any ideas?
It was raining, but not that hard. I pulled over and checked things out.
The spark plug wires are on tight, no broken wires that I can see.
Where to start? After 3-4 minutes of idling on the side of the road she started
running right, on both cylinders.
I keep her stored inside at night, by the way.
Any ideas?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
Secondary wire (plug wire) is leaking voltage to ground. Or the coil is dirty and allowing leakage from the secondary to the primary voltage post. Third cause could be a cracked coil case. New plug wires should take care of it.
All this is assuming you have original (dual fire) ignition. If it's single fire, the problem could also be between the cam sensor and the coil.
All this is assuming you have original (dual fire) ignition. If it's single fire, the problem could also be between the cam sensor and the coil.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Secondary wire (plug wire) is leaking voltage to ground. Or the coil is dirty and allowing leakage from the secondary to the primary voltage post. Third cause could be a cracked coil case. New plug wires should take care of it.
All this is assuming you have original (dual fire) ignition. If it's single fire, the problem could also be between the cam sensor and the coil.
All this is assuming you have original (dual fire) ignition. If it's single fire, the problem could also be between the cam sensor and the coil.
I think they are the original plug wires, so I will change them today.
It has SE ignition. Didn't think it is single-fire. How can I tell? (bought used)
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
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I 2nd everything t150vej said, look closley at your coil, I had this happen to a buddy of mine when we were riding in the rain, he had a crack in his coil that was allowing water in and shutting down one cylinder, some wd-40 and dialectric grease and some electric tape got him home but he had to replace the coil.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
I "think" the SE ign's are dual fire, utilizing the original (or same type) coil, but don't hold me to that 
Single fire will have 3 primary posts on the coil. One for each of the 2 cylinders (from the ignition module) and one for positive voltage. Note: if there is a jumper between 2 of the primary posts, it's in dual fire mode.
Dual fire will only have 2 primary posts - one for positive voltage, the other from the ignition module.
Wipe the coil clean and inspect for any cracks. Replace the plug wires and if possible, spray it with water while running for a final check.
Single fire will have 3 primary posts on the coil. One for each of the 2 cylinders (from the ignition module) and one for positive voltage. Note: if there is a jumper between 2 of the primary posts, it's in dual fire mode.
Dual fire will only have 2 primary posts - one for positive voltage, the other from the ignition module.
Wipe the coil clean and inspect for any cracks. Replace the plug wires and if possible, spray it with water while running for a final check.
Last edited by t150vej; May 11, 2009 at 03:03 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
I "think" the SE ign's are dual fire, utilizing the original (or samt type) coil, but don't hold me to that
Single fire will have 3 primary posts. One for each of the 2 cylinders (from the ignition module) and one for positive voltage. Note: if there is a jumper between 2 of the primary posts, it's in dual fire mode.
Dual fire will only have 2 primary posts - one for positive voltage, the other from the ignition module.
Wipe the coil clean and inspect for any cracks. Replace the plug wires and if possible, spray it wil water while running for a final check.
Single fire will have 3 primary posts. One for each of the 2 cylinders (from the ignition module) and one for positive voltage. Note: if there is a jumper between 2 of the primary posts, it's in dual fire mode.
Dual fire will only have 2 primary posts - one for positive voltage, the other from the ignition module.
Wipe the coil clean and inspect for any cracks. Replace the plug wires and if possible, spray it wil water while running for a final check.
)If that doesn't fix it, I'll check the coil.
Or move to where the weather is sunny!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: California
I just went through this a while back. I would ride and it would drop the rear cylinder withour warning. I also bought my bike used. I first replaced the coil (not it), then the wires and plugs (not it), then I ended up buying a new Ignition Module. When I took the old ignition out I found that the wires from the module to the coil were very poor. All of them had been spliced in 2 different spot with poor connection. Now with the new module, the harness is wired directly to the coil, I saudered and shrink wrapped all the wires expecially made a good connection on the power wire that comes from the RUN/OFF Switch to the power wire that goes to the module.
What I would do, Check your wireing for solid connections. A good test to see if you are loosing voltage is to run a jump wire from the positive terminal to the center post of the coil if its a single fire ign. Remember to put a disconnect in the middle of the jump wire or the bike wont turn off. Ride with that jump wire and see if your sled drops it cylinder. If it does, the problem may be the ignition module itself.
Pop the cover off on the right side of the motor by the R-foot peg to see if there is an aftermarket ignition module in there.
What I would do, Check your wireing for solid connections. A good test to see if you are loosing voltage is to run a jump wire from the positive terminal to the center post of the coil if its a single fire ign. Remember to put a disconnect in the middle of the jump wire or the bike wont turn off. Ride with that jump wire and see if your sled drops it cylinder. If it does, the problem may be the ignition module itself.
Pop the cover off on the right side of the motor by the R-foot peg to see if there is an aftermarket ignition module in there.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 430
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From: Massachusetts
I had the same problem as I8smk4u. turned out my crane hi-4 was on its way out. New ignition problem solved
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
I looked in there a while back and it has a SE ignition module. I do wonder about the lack of a seal on the points cover plate.
Other wise I will look at the wires that run from there to the coil, as they are fairly exposed to the elements. Only had this happen today with the rain.
Thanks for all the help.
Other wise I will look at the wires that run from there to the coil, as they are fairly exposed to the elements. Only had this happen today with the rain.
Thanks for all the help.
