OK. What have I done now? (question on ignition coils)

SO....
I've been fighting with cylinders not firing ever since I got the bike and when I definately stopped getting spark on 1 and 4, Rick suggested that the coil might be shot for those two cylinders. I put a multimeter across the coil and sure enough, there was nothing flowing between the two plug wires. After popping off the spark plug cap I found out that one was blown (not passing anything). I had an old xj750 special that had two (good?!?) spark plugs caps and so I swtiched around some stuff. (I read somewhere that plug caps should be about 5 ohms. I only had one plug cap with that reading (others were 6,7 and 8 ). So, now I'm passing current through everything ( i'm still not sure that the resistance is as it should be across the coils)
BUT... when I fired the bike up and warmed it up and drove around the block...I got about 1/2 a mile down the street and the thing started backfiring and driving really poorly. So I limped home.
Is it possible that I have the coil wires reversed and I'm firing out of order? I was under the impression that with the lost spark system...it wouldn't matter, as they're both firing at the same time anyway.
Also...could I have the coil leads from the TCI unit reversed?
Would that cause my symptoms.
Sorry for the long setup guys,
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Wayne

 

Switching the coil leads it wouldn't run at all. Swapping plug leads 1<->4 and 2<->3 isn't a problem.

Your post seems to indicate it ran ok until you got it warmed up good.

Curious to know if it's ok after it cools off. If so, I think you need to look at your carbs.

Another possibility is the TCI is failing. If you can get your hands on a known good one might be worth testing.

 

MiCarl,
Hasn't run since.
Have I blown something up?

 

No. You haven't blown anything. The engines are tough to kill.

The Coil Swap Test is swapping the two coils connections to the wiring harness. NOT the wires from the Coils to the Plugs.

Since you had it running a bit ... I'd say you have them right and the problem is with the Carbs ... why, you ask?

Pod Air Filters. Those Pods require Carb work. Re-Jetting and getting the Pilot Mixtures right.

You'll have to research what to do about getting the Mixtures right. I don't have anything to do with those Pod Filters. No matter what I suggested would probably not do the necessary delicate balance of Air to Fuel.

There are Members who do have Pods and tuned their bikes for good Performance. I limit my advice to the Stock Airbox set-up. I understand that system best.

Start a thread titled: Help me tune my bike with Pod Filters and tap into those who have done it and got it right.

 

My 1st thought with the engine backfiring is, lean fuel air mixture!?

I wonder if having better spark (from the new coils) would cause your engine to run lean?

Only thing is that for about 1/2 mile everything was peachy!?

Do you have a fuel filter on the fuel line between the carbs and tank?