Ignition coil shit the bed.....

Anyone have this issue. On my 76 Kz900, I have been having issues as of late check my other post for carb problems. So to finally figure out the issue, I found that cylinder 2 and 3 were not firing. So checked the points all is good, getting 12.75 volts to both coils but not spark on 2 and 3 which is on the same coil. So after many hours of trying to trace this gremlin, I have come to the conclusion that the coil is toast. It is stock and 33 years old so I guess it was time.
Anyone else ever experience a coil just dying or could it be some other form of pain I have overlooked?
Thanks in advance
BD

Have primary and secondary coil windings been ohm-checked?

Would also include ohm test between plug caps to assure continuity within secondary loop.

Good Luck!

Personally, I'd replace both ~ $120 from Z1, why dick with it any longer....

Same time, out of the manual for resistance measurements....

Sometimes the plug wires die on a good coil.
The wires get old and hard and start leaking voltage.
Or a plug cap might die (a little resistor built inside an oem cap may crap out).

With engine running outside at night or in a dark garage, spray water mist over plug wiring, and maybe see a free fireworks show. :lol:

Good Luck!

Plug caps are good. Checked for an ohm reading and nothing.
So I'm going to replace it tonight and see what happens. Good thing I've got lots of spare parts....
Thanks for all the info, you guys rock!!!

Born Dead 2 wrote:

Anyone have this issue. On my 76 Kz900, I have been having issues as of late check my other post for carb problems. So to finally figure out the issue, I found that cylinder 2 and 3 were not firing. So checked the points all is good, getting 12.75 volts to both coils but not spark on 2 and 3 which is on the same coil. So after many hours of trying to trace this gremlin, I have come to the conclusion that the coil is toast. It is stock and 33 years old so I guess it was time.
Anyone else ever experience a coil just dying or could it be some other form of pain I have overlooked?
Thanks in advance
BD

Switch coils and see if the problem follows the coil.

As for asking if coils fail? Hell yes, mine did. I guess mine was about 25 years old when it ate it.

Z1 Enterprises sells OEM type replacement coils for $36 each that fit your bike.

www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2857

So here is the latest update. So tested the coil again, coil tested fine??? So got a new set of points and a new condenser. Installed and timed and she roared to life!!! Man she sounds better than before. Gotta do a little fine tuning with the ole timing light and resync the carbs but she's alive and well and almost ready to go agian. Only issue is with my violent temper when shit don't work she's gotta a good ding in my newly painted tank, but it'll stay there to remind me to walk away.....Ha!
Thanks to all for all the help.
BD

Dude, lose the points and get the Dyna S from Z1 Ent. Haven't had a problem in over a year since I replaced my points with the electronic ignition. You'll be amazed at how sweet it runs, too. Just follow the instruction sheet to the letter and you'll be "in like Flint" to coin an obscure phrase. Good Luck,

RICK
77kz650 w/ Dyna S, mildly chopped
81 BMW r65
91BMW k100 rs 4v

Gotta' go with Rick here. Ditch the points and get a Dyna S ignition. I've had mine for 20 years and I only last week had a pickup failure (my fault). While you're at it, spring for some new Accel or Dyna coils and forget about ignition problems for a LOOOONNGG time.