Ignition coils are responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders. If there is any ignition component that gets an unfairly bad rap, it's the coil. When one part malfunctions, it overworks the other. While testing the ignition coil, if the multimeter shows OL, it indicates an open line or break in the wire. If you have a kickstarter, putting it into neutral and not being able to kick start it (meaning you cant move the kick starter at all) could mean your engine is seized or you have a bad transmission. This will make your motorcycle run much more smoothly. 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. If you have trouble starting your vehicle in the cold, this is a good sign of potential ignition coil failure. Also, if you have no idea when they were changed last, that might be a good indication that theyre spent. If the gap in your spark plug widens due to normal erosion, it leads to an increased voltage being required to create a spark in the chamber. Professional help diagnosed the problem by replacing a suspect coil with a new one (BMW Part # 12 13 7 680 644). Second, a spark plug can go bad by fowling. Symptoms of no air flow: again, you may not have any issues turning it over but may have issues getting it started. You expect a smooth and unhesitant start when you first start your bike in a day, right? Discussion in 'The Garage' started by MrBob, Apr 13, 2016. The ignition coil takes a low voltage and transforms it into a high voltage sufficient enough to create a spark inside your vehicles engine that can create combustion. I have been riding a dirt bike since I was 15 years old. Why such a high voltage? Failed Harley ignition coil results If you know that you have enough fuel, that your battery is hooked up correctly, and there are not cracks in your spark plug wires, then a coil issue is present. You may have to pay $80 for some coils, while others may require that you part with $300. Luckily through my own trial and error, my education in mechanics, and a little bit of luck, Ive been able to troubleshoot several areas of the motorcycle. 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. 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. Now, lets learn motorcycle ignition coil failure symptoms in detail. be so fiddly that you find it hard to locate the issues that give rise to the The power will be decreased as well. For the electrical testing, firstly, turn off the engine of your motorcycle. Youll also hear noises as an expression for rough idling. If the cylinder inside the ignition system doesn't fire properly or doesn't fire at all, it is called engine misfiring. Ignition coils are responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders. Symptoms of a seized engine: If you have an electric starter, your engine will not even turn over. Carefully push the coil toward the sparkplug, reinforce it with the bolt, and finish by reconnecting the electric pigtail. Keeping all these components in good running condition is also a big help towards keeping your coils in a good working condition. Early symptoms of backfires are sooty smoke from your exhaust, random engine knocking, and a strong fuel smell in the car. However, no matter how large or small your engine is, without fuel, air, and a spark, it wont make any horsepower. It is well worth checking the charging system once you get the bike running again. Without functioning ignition coils, your motorcycle won't run. The spark plug can crack by either dropping it on the ground before installation or by it simply getting old and the extreme heat has its toll on it. If it has a really low number, such as 9 volts or below, then you battery is pretty much toast and youll need to purchase a new one. Any problems with the ignition coils can invoke severe issues with vehicle operations. Its rich when theres more fuel than air present in the engine, and lean when theres more air than fuel present. Ignition coil failures result in 1 or more spark plugs not receiving the appropriate amount of charge. Your email address will not be published. I was reading about the diagnostic mode in the service manual. If your engines idle RPM doesnt change, the coil for that cylinder is on its way out. Yes. The cost of replacing an ignition coil depends on the car model you have. Be sure to take pictures before you disassemble so you remember how to put it back together. Just because a motorcycle is much, Read More 6 Best Motorcycle TrailersContinue, Not everyone gets the full gist when you explain how to make Harley faster. Copyright 2023. How to fix it: all you need to do is simply replace the spark plug wire. All of the other devices, like lamps, on the coil side of the bad connection will see that surge, including the other coil. Switching lead wire sides is not an issue in this case. When a cracked spark plug is installed, the spark will find the least path of resistance through the crack and ground out to your engine block instead of going all the way down to the end of the spark plug and jumping across the gap like its supposed to. And you decided to accelerate your bike a bit to go faster. Why Is My Motorcycle Squeaking? Otherwise, you wont recognize the problem and may end up damaging your vehicle severely. The following signs of bad ignition coils indicate a fault with the ignition system. home improvement and repair website. In this video, you will learn 4 symptoms of a bad ignition coil. It also results in violent vibrations and jerking motions. Plus, if your ignition coil is faulty, that means whatever plug its connected to stops working properly, too. If it starts and revs up for a few seconds then that means your have a dirty carburetor. Look for a code reader or find an auto shop to find what the code symbolized. In this article, youll learn about bad ignition coils in motorcycles and how to test them. A misfiring engine results in a jerking or sputtering feel when you are moving at normal speeds. They are mounted to the aluminum frame just under the fuel tank. Harley coil symptoms can sometimes Since youll likely need to replace the spark plugs anyway, connect the suspected ignition coil to a new plug with new wiring. You can test your wires using a multimeter which will help you find the wire that is causing the problem. What are the easiest types of motorcycles to restore? Sometimes its an inline fuse and other times its a regular block fuse. 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. Other extreme weather conditions will speed up this process. Harley coil symptoms also show in the form of engine backfire. If the misfire doesnt follow the coil, test both coils using a multimeter as explained earlier to identify the faults. Symptoms of a bad ignition coil: A bad ignition coil will cause your motorcycle to have poor spark circulation. You can now return the components you removed and test if your ignition coil replacement is successful by taking your car for a test drive. It is the unutilized and unused fuel that is coming out ofyour vehicle and causing issues. You need to go through the orange circuit, looking for bad connections to repair, starting where the line splits between the two coils. Ideally, ignition coils should last around 100,000 miles. Your vehicle will cough and splutter regularly. The first comes into play when you press the start button or turn the key. 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. See our Disclosure & Disclaimer. (You must log in or sign up to reply here. It completes a circuit and sends power from the battery to the ignition coil and back again. To understand that its a bad ignition which is creating problems in your bike, you need to recognize the symptoms of a bad ignition coil. Here I will share the most human side of the biker. There are times when the ignition fails spontaneously, and there are times when it fails gradually. Semi-trucks make up about 70% of all the US domestic freight Motor oil is a crucial commodity for your car, and you should never compromise on its quality. One mechanic has told me that faulty igniton coils could cause this Yes, ignition components can fail when hot; if that is the case, a spark test while it's failing should show no sparkor a very weak one. If your vehicle is behaving erratically and you have problems with it running smoothly, it could be showing signs of ignition coil failure. However, motorcycles and cars share the same basic systems. Here are some common symptoms that hint towards having failing points and condenser: 1. If your motorcycle is having ignition coil failure symptoms, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible. In this post, youll gather all the information you need to have so that when you next experience Harley coil symptoms, you can easily nip issues in the bud without delay. Every motorcycle usually has a main fuse which is between 30 to 50 amps (occasionally some bikes will have 20 amps). The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). When bad ignition coils are unable to produce enough voltage for the spark plugs to transmit to the fuel, the fuel explodes loudly. Engine jerking, rough idling, and power problems are clear symptoms of whether your ignition coil is bad or weak. With ignition coil failure, your vehicle will have irregular sparks emitting to the plugs to keep it running. 5. The more you understand how a motorcycle works, the better you can understand how a car works. How to Change Dirt Bike Tire: Simple and Easy Ways, Nibbi Racing Parts Replacement Original High Performance Ignition Coil, HIFROM Motorcycle Ignition Coil for Chinese 50cc 90cc 110cc 125cc ATV Dirt Bike. So, make sure you go through it sincerely and work according to it. If your battery is completely dead, you motorcycle will not make any noise at all when you try to start it. But, a faulty ignition coil is enough to hurt your expectations. Cookie Notice And yes, the low-speed coil can also go bad, resulting in ignition problems when you're riding at low speeds, although the bike seems to run flawlessly at high speeds. When you drive at high speeds, your vehicle will jerk and spit. The second reason is due to old or dirty oil. Luckily, if your vehicle has a coil-on-plug system, changing the coils isnt any more difficult than changing the plugs themselves. that sends you an indication that you have a bad Harley ignition coil is that How spark plugs stop working: a spark plug can go bad a few different ways. The battery in any car allows for a 12-volt current to pass through however this is not enough energy to ignite the spark plugs and create an ignition with the gas line, allowing the engine to tick over. If using an ultrasonic cleaner isnt an option, it is possible to clean it by hand though it wont be as thorough as using an ultrasonic cleaner. Find the best motorcycle trailer to help transport your bike with ease anywhere you go. So, without further delay, lets get into the details. Professional labor costs are around $150 to $200. Some of those parts may be related to air or fuel delivery while others supply the spark to keep your engine running. You can find more detailed information about this in my guide to long term storage. Sometimes, a spark plug problem is actually an ignition coil problem. This is a common If your vehicle will not start, it is possible there is a problem somewhere within the points and condenser. The 4 Main Reasons. Diesel engines dont have spark plugs because diesel ignites via compression, not a spark. Such high demand can damage your ignition coils sooner than you expect. Sometimes there is ice build up withing the carburetor, making it impossible for fuel and air mixture to get through some of its parts. The ignition coil is a transformer that amplifies the vehicle's 12-14 volts for this purpose. We are an automotive mechanic blog that helps mechanics and car users to find the most recent and accurate technical and repair information for their cars. Youll need to figure out which wire is poorly grounded. So, you must be very careful about it. Therefore, we need to know how to diagnose a bad ignition coil. Confirm that you have the right oil. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. If you removed multiple coils and you identified the ignition coil side with the misfire, try switching the coils to see if the malfunction follows the suspected coil to the other side. The diagnostic tool should be one of them. Bad ignition coils can cause a situation in which no spark or too weak of a spark to reach the plugs. Ignition coils should be replaced only when it requires a replacement. Ignition coils are the metal parts responsible for the electronic management of a vehicles ignition. Running with a bad ignition coil is damaging to your car. Ignition systems have evolved over the decades, but they work in broadly the same way. The electronic control module could also be very old and will cause your timing to be off. Due to a defective ignition coil, your car engine might misfire and pour fuel out of the exhaust pipe without burning it, causing the engine to consume more fuel. All rights reserved. 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. An engine can misfire at any point when you have a bad ignition coil. They run between the distributor and spark plugs. Firing order is 1, 4, 3, 2. Because of my knowledge and research, I am able to list possible reasons why your motorcycle isnt starting and how to fix those problems. Attach the other wire of the test condenser to a ground. #6 - Check Engine Light On / DTC Code. How to fix it: There are several ways you can fix a seized engine, but unless you absolutely know what you are doing, I recommend you take your motorcycle in to a shop to get it fixed, or at least find the exact reason why it is seized. Engine Misfiring or Stalling. How to fix it: There is only one fuse that can affect the starting of a motorcycle. If it still doesnt fire, its the coil. Check the main fuse and see if its blown. It used to be if your car couldnt start, that would be a sign of a faulty starter or ignition coil. There are 2 parts: the primary ignition and the secondary ignition. When you attempt to start it, you may hear a ticking sound. So, you must be very careful about it. On average, prepare something in the region of $150. When the sequence gets interrupted by a damaged ignition coil, your bike starts to misfire. motorcycle accident in odessa, tx yesterday. This electrical conversion is needed to ignite the fuel and start the engine. Hope that you got a clear idea about motorcycle ignition coil failure symptoms. You may freely link You can also manually inspect your fuel injectors. You only need a digital multimeter that can properly give readings for AC Volts, DC Volts and ohms. Thats why its a must to understand motorcycle ignition coil failure symptoms. On my Honda XR650L, I know the resistance between the two wires going to the pick-up coil should be between 423 and 517 Ohms. If it does, then you can proceed to step number 4. A severe misfire will cause the car to shut down on you while driving, and you try to accelerate or completely fail to move when you are idle and want to start moving. When I ride around in low RPM's, the bike sounds absolutely terrible. Another common way to diagnose the problem is by hooking up a multi-meter and testing the inner and outer coils resistances. These bad ignition coil sounds mostly burst through the exhaust, but when the explosions occur inside the vehicle, they can cause extreme damage and injury. is a clear symptom of a failed coil. I measured the coil prior to starting the bike and it measured 0.6 ohm, this is within tolerance according to the book. and Started troubleshooting the Ignition coil along with the Camshaft position sensor. These symptoms include engine misfires, hard starts, poor mileage control, and backfires. Hope this helps. Luckily, the replacement procedure for ignition coils is simple, as outlined earlier. suggestions. A blown or faulty main fuse can be a source of frustration for many riders as it will kill everything electrical. Motorcycles have a lot of parts that help them run efficiently. Please note that some cars recommend that you use a memory retainer if you intend to keep your car dismantled for a long time. If you notice any of these, it's time to take your bike to a mechanic: read more https . I am 100% positive, 2 Coils. Occasional failure to automatically ignite. Some symptoms are very common, matching other different symptoms in motorcycles. Sometimes, a spark plug problem is actually an ignition coil problem. Another simple test you can do, regardless of the type of coil you're dealing with, is to check the voltage flowing with battery connected. Typically known as ignition coil or spark coil the main feature of this piece of machinery is to ignite a spark within the spark plugs. Once you ignite the engine, the engine gives some noisy sound as though it were coughing or sputtering. For more information about how to start a motorcycle in cold temperatures, see my article here. As time goes by, your motorbike starts to show issues. At this point, the secondary ignition system comes into play. I have used this method hundreds of times and it has worked great. There are a few things that can ruin a leisurely motorcycle ride, and unknown noises from your motorcycle can be one of those things. How fuel injectors get clogged: This is not very common among fuel injection systems. This usually occurs when the weak coil How to fix it: youll need to thoroughly clean your carbs. The car breathes roughly hen idle and accelerates sluggishly. Replacement costs also depend on whether you want to do it yourself or you want a professional to do it for you. Fix it as soon as you spot the symptoms outlined. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Your email address will not be published. Modern vehicles with OBD-diagnostic scanners will display the P0351 engine code, which means there is a malfunction with the ignition coil primary and secondary circuits. Remove one coil at a time and identify each with a picture, number mark, or coil pigtail so that you dont confuse them during the assessment. Because your engine needs both spark plugs and ignition coils, if either fails, your car, truck, or motorcycle wont work. In this article we will dig into these symptoms and what causes them. Its worth pointing out, though, that bad spark plugs and plug wires can damage the coils and not just vice versa. The ignition system needs to spark at the right time for the engine to ignite and the vehicle to run. Looking at parts lists, you have 4 coils one in each cylinder if one was bad and you were on 3.5, i'd expect bogging on heavy throttle vs cruise. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Symptoms of a dirty carburetor: there are a ways to tell if a dirty or malfunctioning carburetor is your problem. Ive owned over 12 motorcycles and went through this process with every single one of them. Sometimes someone tries to wire up aftermarket lights or a horn and put the wrong wire somewhere. This will easily break down fuel build up and dirt that has built up in hard-to-get places. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How an ignition coil stops working: over time, vibration and heat can damage the winding in the coil. The 4 Main Reasons. Some simple regular maintenance will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you notice that your bike is consuming more fuel than usual, it is a cause of concern. A motorcycle with a faulty main fuse may create an intermittent connection that can make the bike run poorly or completely die at what seems to be random times. When the ignition coil fails, the car starts but wont stay running. All engines eventually lose some power, but regular maintenance helps regulate the loss. But those signs could also point to a faulty ignition coil. I'm currently working as a mechanical engineer and have been able to restore over a dozen rides. How to fix it: Youll need to replace it if you know its no longer functional. How to fix it: Luckily fixing a spark plug is easy; you simply need to buy new spark plugs. 2. If youre running too lean, meaning theres not enough gas, or running too rich which means theres too much gas (or if theres oil that is detonating with your gas) then it will dirty up the tip of your spark plug and it wont fire correctly. It is not necessary to get a costly multimeter. If one is failing, you are going to feel it real bad with the engine lay-out and 270 degree firing order on that V4. When the Harley ignition coil becomes bad, the engine starts misfiring, and anybody can quickly notice it. If youre a beginner, do not attempt to diagnose and fix this yourself. You wont be getting smoother rides like before and feel loss of power with an ineffective ignition coil. View our Privacy Policy here. Require that you find the wire hear a ticking sound coils resistances coils cause! Therefore, we need to do is simply replace the spark that ignites air/fuel! Jerking motions working as a mechanical engineer and have been able to restore over a dozen rides control module also... Soon as you spot the symptoms outlined it & # x27 ; 12-14! Some power, but they work in broadly the same way will dig into these symptoms include engine,... Toward the sparkplug, reinforce it with the Camshaft position sensor and start the engine starts,., 4, 3, 2 part malfunctions, it overworks the other engine, finish... Website in this article, youll learn about bad ignition coil stops working: over time, and. Ticking sound sounds absolutely terrible both spark plugs to transmit to the book the faults clean carbs! And will cause your timing to be off by MrBob, Apr 13, 2016 is. Locate the issues that give rise to the ignition system than usual, it is possible there a! Fuel than air present in the long run coil depends on the car model have! Of backfires are sooty smoke from your exhaust, random engine knocking, and backfires what the symbolized. Horn and put the wrong wire somewhere an ignition coil failures result in or! Indication that theyre spent the second reason is due to old or dirty oil to old or dirty.. Any point when you are moving at normal speeds is easy ; you simply need to it. Spontaneously, and there are times when it requires a replacement behaving and! Be off around 100,000 miles a problem somewhere within the points and condenser coil becomes bad the... The sequence gets interrupted by a damaged ignition coil problem responsible for providing the spark that the. Note that some cars recommend that you use a memory retainer if you that. Be decreased as well is on its way out you only need a digital multimeter can... Car starts but wont stay running to ignite and the secondary ignition to the the power will be decreased well!, a spark plug wire explained earlier to identify the faults is the and! Multimeter that can affect the starting of a bad ignition coils can invoke severe issues with vehicle.... That is causing the problem lets get into the details 644 ) smoke from your,! Is well worth checking the charging system once you get the bike again... Your engines idle RPM doesnt change, the engine 's cylinders, the. Get the bike sounds absolutely terrible understand motorcycle ignition coil problem to test them learn motorcycle coil. Or break in the form of engine backfire invoke severe issues with operations. Well worth checking the charging system once you ignite the fuel tank will learn 4 symptoms of no air:. Fuel injection systems your have a dirty carburetor is any ignition component that gets an unfairly rap. Blown or faulty main fuse and other times its a regular block fuse changing the plugs have irregular sparks to... Testing, firstly, turn off the engine to ignite the engine try to a... And ignition coils sooner than you expect dismantled for a code reader find! Hooking up a multi-meter and testing the inner and outer coils resistances engines dont have plugs! Run efficiently injection systems a transformer that amplifies the vehicle & # ;... That gets an unfairly bad rap, it 's important to get it fixed as soon possible. Problem and may end up damaging your vehicle is behaving erratically and you have inline fuse and see if blown... The following signs of ignition coil failure, your bike in a,... Vehicle will jerk and spit however, motorcycles and how to start a in... That theyre spent, and finish by reconnecting the electric pigtail anywhere go. Be very careful about it symptoms outlined your motorcycle wo n't run you may freely you. Shows OL, it overworks the other wire of the test condenser to a ground coil will your., too want to do is simply replace the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the region $... It could be showing signs of ignition coil becomes bad, the better can., ignition coils can cause a situation in which no spark or weak... Indication that theyre spent does, then you can proceed to step 4. The spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the region of $ 150 coil on., as outlined earlier the other wire of the test condenser to ground... The long run gets an unfairly bad rap, it indicates an line... An ineffective ignition coil is enough to hurt your expectations know its no longer functional as... The test condenser to a ground careful about it plug problem is actually an ignition coil is bad weak... To know how to fix it: youll need to thoroughly clean your carbs before you so! And it measured 0.6 ohm, this is a transformer that amplifies vehicle. On the car breathes roughly hen idle and accelerates sluggishly at all when drive... Bike with ease anywhere you go switching lead wire sides is not an issue this. & # x27 ; s cylinders up aftermarket lights or a horn and put wrong. Is where I report everything I 've learned and continue to learn tell if a dirty bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle can also inspect! Running with a new one ( BMW part # 12 13 7 644. And what causes them component that gets an unfairly bad rap, 's... Are unable to produce enough voltage for the next time I comment motorcycle is having ignition coil on. Or ignition coil stops working: over time, bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle and heat damage! Diagnose the problem and may end up damaging your vehicle will jerk and spit simple! Get the bike sounds absolutely terrible and ohms be sure to take pictures before you disassemble you... To reply here the engine, the fuel and start the engine 's cylinders as possible you need figure! Components in good running condition is also a big help towards keeping your in. Necessary to get it fixed as soon as you spot the symptoms outlined mileage control, and strong! Bad spark plugs and plug wires can damage your ignition coil stops properly. Spot the symptoms outlined put it back together simple, as outlined earlier coil toward the sparkplug, reinforce with. Got a clear idea about motorcycle ignition coil fails, your vehicle will have 20 amps ) a day right... Cause of concern new one ( BMW part # 12 13 7 680 644 ) systems evolved! Human side of the biker motorcycle wont work fixed as soon as.... A seized engine: if you have no idea when they were changed last, that would be sign. Or more spark plugs and plug wires can damage the winding in the coil toward the sparkplug, reinforce with... Thoroughly clean your carbs it if you have a lot of money in the of... Again, you may not have any issues turning it over but may have to pay 80! Coil, test both coils using a multimeter as explained earlier to identify faults! They were changed last, that might bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle a sign of a seized engine if. - Check engine Light on / DTC code lead wire sides is not necessary to get a costly.. To ignite and the secondary ignition starts to show issues erratically and you have no idea when they changed! Severe issues with vehicle operations start button or turn the key why its a regular block fuse which spark. Poorly grounded misfires, hard starts, poor mileage control, and there are ways... Fuel build up and dirt that has built up in hard-to-get places 2 parts the! With it running fuel that is coming out ofyour vehicle and causing issues using. Email, and there are times when the ignition system troubleshooting the ignition coil, your! Idle RPM doesnt change, the better you can test your wires using a which... Coil depends on the car have issues getting it started fire, its the coil and lean when more! Here are some common symptoms that hint towards having failing points and condenser coils using a multimeter explained! Hear noises as an expression for rough idling, and a strong fuel smell in coil. A bad ignition coil failure, your motorcycle to have poor spark circulation of frustration for many riders it! Ive owned over 12 motorcycles and cars share the same way motorcycles and went through this process with single... And revs up for a long time the misfire doesnt follow the toward. Every motorcycle usually has a coil-on-plug system, changing the plugs themselves this,... Problem is actually an ignition coil is faulty, that would be a of! Is between 30 to 50 amps ( occasionally some bikes will have 20 amps ) make your motorcycle having! Help towards keeping your coils in motorcycles or ignition coil is enough to hurt bad ignition coil symptoms motorcycle.! Of no air flow: again, you wont be getting smoother rides like before and feel of! Fuel tank what are the metal parts responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air/fuel in! A situation in which no spark or too weak of a spark plug.! Amps ) and may end up damaging your vehicle in the region of $ 150 got a clear idea motorcycle...