81 KZ 750 LTD - What is a coil?

I have a 1981 KZ 750 LTD, 4 cylinder.

Cylinders 1 and 3 are not firing. I can tell by the pipes not getting hot on that side. The wires have power going through them. I was told by someone to check the coil, underneath the gas tank? I don't know much about these bikes so I'm trying to figure out what that is and if anyone knows of any other problem I could be having?

Also I have a problem with my idle sticking in high RPM's. Could that be because of it only running on 2 cylinders? Or do the carbs need cleaned?


Thanks alot!

Could it be the ignition coil? Maybe thats what the person was meaning.

del

The coil is going to be a black (probably) plastic-looking cylinder underneath your gas tank. The spark plug wires come out of it. The left coil fires cyls 1 & 4. The right fires cyls 2&3.

You wrote that the "wires have power coming out of them". Does this mean that you have confirmed that you ARE getting spark? What is the condition of your plugs?

A quick way to test for spark is to remove the plug from the engine, connect it to the spark plug wire, and lay the "spark end" of the plug against the engine so that it is grounded. Take the other spark plug wires off the plugs so the engine doesn't try to start, then crank the starter. You should see a good blue spark at the tip of the plug.

I meant cylinders 2 and 3 aren't firing. The pipes on the right side(when sitting on it) don't get hot. I have a spark in all wires and plugs.

del

Yea, 3 and 4.

Like I said, I don't know much about these things. The bike is 4 years older than me.

I plan on doing a lot of stuff to it, and learning on the way.

del

Correct, they are connected as you said.

Sence you said you have power I would check to make sure you are getting gas to those 2 carbs. If it like mine 1 line feeds 2 carbs and the other feeds the other 2 carbs. good luck.Pat

del

del