Ign. Coils?

Hey guys,

I could not get the KZ to start after about 20 minutes of kicking. No big deal, it hasnt run in 18 years.

A motor needs 3 things to run, fuel, ignition, compression, and air. Well it is getting the fuel,air, and compression, so I figured I would go through the electrical again. I removed both of the ignition coils, and low and behold, only 2 of the 4 wire work..go figure. :pinch: Since the checkbook is not never-ending, I thought I would ask here if anybody has a stock pair of coils sitting around that I could have/buy. Bike is a 76 KZ900 A4, but I'm sure there are other years that would fit..??

Also, can anyone TELL me what other years fit, so I can browse around. I'm really trying to save the money unless it is absolutely needed. :blush:

Post edited by: cuddies, at: 2007/05/28 16:02

The only time I have ever replaced a coil is when it was weeping or driping resin. If the coils are clean or dry, they are most likely still good.

To test the coils completely , I recomend to do so with a fully charged battery, You need to check each coil with new spark plugs and with both plugs grounded at the same time. The spark for the second plug loops through the ground and returns to the coil thru the second plug.

If you are still are not getting spark on the same 2 wires. Pull off the caps and check the resitance. 5K is normal above that is bad. While the caps are off, check the wires for breaks by pulling on the wire strands with a pair of pliers or dykes. If any wire comes out, replace just the wire lead. Cut 1/4 inch off the spark plug leads and retest, also may cure it.

To test with a multi meter, I recomend to use an analog instead of a digital. Most digital multi-meters do a poor job of measuring low ohms.

.5 to 1 ohm on the primary wires and secondarys require a 2/3's reading on the 1K setting, without the sparkplug caps.

Bill

Post edited by: Capt. Quirk, at: 2007/06/02 14:00

Post edited by: Capt. Quirk, at: 2007/06/02 14:02

Same exact coils used in 1977-1980 Kz1000A and B. Not likely bad I'll agree though. I've never replaced a coil yet in 350,000 miles or so on KZs. 167,000 on originals on KZ650, 80,000 on KZ1000. No problem here although everyones mileage may vary.

Have you tried switching the trigger wires around to see if it is the coil or something else. My coils went bad, but that is because they cracked and failed.