Topic: I might be running on just two... how can I tell?

[sparty]

Hey, you may remember that I am having some carb issues and that I have no top end after a carb rebuild.  I thought that maybe a good carb synch and timing adjustment might fix my problem, well, I took the bike to get some gas and I think that I might only be running on two cylinders!  My exhaust pipes from cyl. 1 & 4 only got warm whereas the pipes on cyl. 2 & 3 were screaming hot.  What may be the cause of that?  Any advice or help is most welcome.  I am taking the bike to the Honda shop tomorrow and I want to go in knowing what I might be looking at.

later,
Sparty

[cmorgan47]

you can tell by checking the heat.....like you did.
also, you could expect the plugs to be wet and smell like gas on 1&4.

the fact that it's 1&4 would point to points or coils.
or a myriad of other things, but that's where i'd start.
check the gaps on the points, as well as making sure they're in good shape.

you can check resistance on the spark plug wires from the offending coil, but the shop will be able to test more thoroughly.

[sparty]

I have had my gas tank on and off several times over the past few weeks.  I also pulled the plug wires from the coils to clean the greasy areas.  I may have knocked a wire loose or something.  I am running aftermarket Dyna 3 ohm coils (the green ones).

[Klark Kent]

set my point gaps and timing seemed to take care of my cool cylinders.  try that.
get well soon
-KK

[mrbreeze]

Does indeed sound like an ignition prob. Hey Superman(UHHH....I mean Klark.....sorry!!), I like your quote of Lloyd there......good words to wrench by.

[sparty]

I just got back from my Honda shop.  I am not getting my cylinders 1 and 4 to fire.  The Honda technician bypassed the ignition and I then got spark to the plugs.  It appears that my Dyna S ignition might be bad.  I contacted Dyna to see if they have a diagnosis system, but I was on hold for 15 minutes.  So basically, the ignition is not sending power to the left side coil (Cyl. 1-4) to create a spark.  The wiring up to the ignition seems to check out.  I find it difficult to believe that the Dyna S ignition went bad just for the 1-4 cylinders, but …. Who the hell knows!  I am frustrated, pissed, and ready to snap.  I’d like to keep an electronic ignition, but maybe I should go back to points.

[dusterdude]

do it sound like a harley?

[sparty]

I have 4 into 2 exhaust and it is only making noise out the left pipes.  My pipes cross over.

I just finished checking all of my wiring from my Dyna S ignition to the coils and everything seems to be okay, but, I am still only running on two cylinders – 1 and 4 are dead.  So, I am trying to problem solve.  I get spark through the coils to the plugs. Could it be that I am not getting fuel to the cylinders?  Can my timing be that far off to shut down 1 and 4?  I don’t think so.   It just isn’t making any sense.  I need an in-house mechanic.  On the bright side, my new exhaust arrived today 4 into 1 and bad ass.

Has anyone every had an ignition problem like this?  Comments welcome/needed.

[sparty]

Well, I sucked it up and just ordered a new Dyna S ignition for the bike.  I contacted Dyna and they gave me a problem diagnosis procedure.  As it turns out the power module that fires the 1-4 coil appears to be bad.  How that happend is beyond me.... if the new system doesn't solve the problem I might have a mental breakdown.

[mrbreeze]

Don't have a mental breakdown...BUT...see if you can figure out what caused the Dyna to have a breakdown so it doesn't happen again.Good luck bro!!!

[sparty]

Don't have a mental breakdown...BUT...see if you can figure out what caused the Dyna to have a breakdown so it doesn't happen again.Good luck bro!!!

After my engine rebuild when I put the coils back on, I must have crossed a wire because I blue the main fuse which must have also fried the power module.  Could that happen?  It is my only guess.

Sparty

[Klark Kent]

I understand going electric as a trade off: it is more reliable when it works, but when a failure does occur it is beyond us to fix or sometimes even diagnose it.  if you want to know why your ignition isn't working go back to points.  i understand the frustration of wanting to know and hopefully someone can tell you, but you may need to let it go.
glad you got it isolated at least,
-KK