Fixing Ignition Problems in Four Cylinder Motorcycles

Summary

In this video, Bob from the White Dog Garage tackles an ignition problem in his 1980 Suzuki GSX 1100E motorcycle. After diagnosing the issue using an infrared thermometer, he discovers that cylinders one and four aren't firing due to a faulty coil. Bob walks through the ignition system, explaining how coils, points, and transistorized circuits work. He demonstrates troubleshooting techniques, including testing the spark and inspecting the signal generator. After finding a broken wire in the coil, he repairs it, restoring proper spark and solving the issue. The video concludes with Bob encouraging viewers to subscribe for more repair content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diagnosing ignition problems in a motorcycle starts with checking components like coils, wiring, and spark plugs.
• 🔧 Using an infrared thermometer helps in detecting temperature differences between cylinders, pointing to potential ignition issues.
• ⚡ Coils are essential for generating spark in each cylinder, with the primary and secondary circuits playing different roles.
• 🛠️ A faulty ignition coil can result in no spark, leading to engine misfires and rough running conditions.
• 🔍 Inspecting the wiring, including the signal circuit to the coil, is crucial for identifying faults.
• 🔌 A spark tester is an effective tool to confirm whether the coil is functioning properly by showing if there's spark to the plugs.
• 🔩 If the wire insulation is damaged or cracked, it can lead to electrical issues, requiring the repair or replacement of the damaged parts.
• 🔨 Soldering broken wires and resealing the connections are effective ways to repair damaged ignition components.
• 🔥 Repairing ignition system problems helps restore smooth engine performance, particularly for older motorcycles with high mileage.
• 🚗 Routine maintenance of electrical components in motorcycles is key to ensuring reliable operation and longevity.
• 📺 White Dog Garage is a resourceful channel for motorcycle repair, offering tutorials on various maintenance and renovation tasks.

Q & A

What is the ignition problem described in the video?

The ignition problem involves the failure of cylinders 1 and 4 to fire, which is likely caused by a faulty ignition coil, as both cylinders share the same coil.

What diagnostic tools were used to identify the problem?

The main diagnostic tool used was an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the motorcycle's headers and identify which cylinders were not firing based on temperature differences.

How do you know that the ignition coil might be the issue?

The failure to fire on both cylinders 1 and 4, which share the same coil, suggests that the issue is likely with the coil. Additionally, when testing, no spark was observed when using a spark tester connected to the leads for cylinders 1 and 4.

What are the key components involved in the ignition system of the bike?

The key components of the ignition system include the signal generator, coils for cylinders 1/4 and 2/3, pickup coils, a magnetic rotor, a transistor circuit, and spark plugs.

How does a coil function in an ignition system?

The coil works by having a voltage across its primary coil, which creates a magnetic field. When the power is cut off, the collapsing magnetic field induces a current in the secondary coil, which then fires the spark plug to create ignition.

What are the common issues that can occur with ignition coils?

Common issues include cracks in the coil, plug leads, or plug caps that cause short circuits, or open circuits where the current doesn’t flow to the spark plug due to broken wiring or coils.

What does the process of signal generation in the ignition system involve?

Signal generation involves a signal from the pickup coils, which changes the magnetic flux as the rotor passes by. This induces an electrical signal, which is used by the transistor circuit to turn the coil on and off, firing the spark plug.

What are the differences between points ignition, transistorized ignition, and computerized ignition?

Points ignition uses a cam and breaker points to create sparks, transistorized ignition uses pickup coils and a rotating magnet with a transistor circuit to trigger the coil, and computerized ignition uses a Hall effect sensor, a trigger wheel, and a computer to control spark timing.

What was found to be the actual cause of the ignition failure in this case?

The ignition failure was traced to a broken wire leading to the coil for cylinders 1 and 4. This wire had disconnected, preventing the coil from receiving the signal needed to fire the spark plugs.

What steps were taken to repair the ignition issue?

The repair involved inspecting and identifying the broken wire, removing the epoxy resin encasing the terminal, cleaning and soldering the wire back into place, and resealing the terminal using fast-curing epoxy resin.