sputters then wont run

Went for a ride today and got about 2 miles away and my bike cut off and sounded like it was running on 2 cylinders. This sounds like the typical coil replacement but I was wondering if anyone else had another possibility. The first time this happened I replaced the plugs and it ran great again and I noticed plugs 2 and 3 were dark and they are both ran off of the same coil. Should I replace both coils since the other one is probably not to far behind or do you think its something else.

 

first thing is switch the connectors & see if the other 2 fire.

 

From my response to the other guys' thread where you first posed your question:

(Thank you for starting your own thread, BTW.)

Wiz's advice is spot on, and the first step in diagnosing problems such as I suggested. (Pickups vs. coils themselves.)

If you simply throw parts at an issue rather than diagnose it first, it's going to get really expensive and frustrating unless you're very very lucky.

 

I wasnt posting a question on his thread I was simply giving my opinion on his issue which is why I posted a thread for my "question". I have linked many coil issues to be thermally related mostly in outboard motors which could be slightly different. I just went and pulled the new plugs I installed and 3 of them are darker brown and the one is the right color. I will switch the coils around and see if the same plugs are fouling. As far as the cost for replacing parts it might be close when I factor in the cost of plugs because once they fowl the bike will fire on all 4 but it wont burn all of the fuel causing it to back fire. Thanks for the advice though... is there any way to test the pickup coil other than replacing the plugs again and waiting for them to fowl?

 

Sure. Do you have a manual? The pickups can be easily tested, although admittedly it won't reveal a thermal issue.

My point is simply that most XJ coil failures are moisture-related; symptoms such as you're describing usually turn out to be wiring/connections, pickup coils, or even the TCI before the ignition coils themselves. Unless excessive humidity is involved.

 

So I removed the coil pick up and reconnected it and ran it for about 10 minutes in the garage and it didnt sputter out and kill.... I ran it with the pick up cover off which leads me to think the pick up is my bad link because it is definitely thermal related. Once it cools I plan to run it again with the cover on and see if it sputters out again. I will keep you posted.

 

Keep in mind that marginal wiring connectors/connections can exhibit "thermal" behavior too.

 

So I put the ignition pickup cover back on and the bike sputtered out and died. I then tested the spark and it was weak definitely not sparking like it does cold or with the cover off. Going to pick up some parts at Sportwheels I am always a little hesitant to buy electronic parts at a salvage yard but that seems to be one of the only affordable options.