Ignition coil help.

Hi guys, I just have a quick question and I dont have time to search and search for the answer. A "mechanic" lost my ignition coil for the 1 and 4 cylinder. I have found new ones online but I want to make sure they work before I buy them. I have a 1984 KZ550 LTD with stock ignition and the coils came off of a 1980 KZ550 with stock ignition. From the picture they look the same, are the ohms the same?

P.S. this is the only thing that I know of standing between me and a running bike, so i am quite anxious to figure this out and get them ordered


Thanks in advance,

Clay

A 3 ohm coil is usually the type used in most Kawasaki's.

If you're unsure of how they are wired, look here:

Ignition Coil Primary And Secondary Wiring

Ignition coils on the 80’s Kz1000,Kz1100’s and Gpz1100’s are wired the same, that is as you sit on the bike, the LEFT ignition coil primary(small wires) are two wires, RED and BLACK. The secondary (or sparkplug wires) got to #1 and #4 sparkplugs.

The cylinders are numbered left to right as you sit on the seat; #1,#2,#3, and #4.

For the RIGHT ignition coil, the primary wires, again are two wires, RED and GREEN, with the secondary going to #2 and #3.

The RED wire gets it’s voltage from the run/stop switch on the right handlebar switch pod.

The BLACK and GREEN wires connect to the IC Igniter(if the bike has the Kawasaki supplied electronic ignition) it actually gives the coils their grounds to fire the sparkplugs.

Primary(small wires) side of the coils will read between 1.8 to 3.0 ohms.

Secondary(sparkplug wire ports)side of the coil will read between 10.4K to 15.6K ohms.

Keep in mind that the smaller 4’s (650 & 750) may have the wiring reversed, that is the RIGHT coil primary will be two wires, RED and BLACK with the secondary(sparkplugs) going to #1 and #4.

The LEFT coils primary wiring would be again two wires, RED and GREEN, with the secondary(sparkplugs) going to #2 and #3.

These engines have what is known as a “Wasted Spark” that is, a sparkplug will fire during an exhaust stroke. It does no damage and many other motorcycle engines have this design.

Your bike uses a coil in the 2.2~2.4 ohm range.

The 1980 KZ550A1 had points and uses a 4-ohm coil. It would not be a good match for your electronic ignition.

The 1980 KZ550C1 would have used the same coil as yours.

You have to find out what model the 1980 coil came from.

They all look basically the same, but are not the same internally. Also, make sure it's for the correct cylinders otherwise the plug wires will be the wrong length.

loudhvx wrote:

Your bike uses a coil in the 2.2~2.4 ohm range.

The 1980 KZ550A1 had points and uses a 4-ohm coil. It would not be a good match for your electronic ignition.

The 1980 KZ550C1 would have used the same coil as yours.

You have to find out what model the 1980 coil came from.

They all look basically the same, but are not the same internally. Also, make sure it's for the correct cylinders otherwise the plug wires will be the wrong length.

Yes I agree. You can also use coils from a KZ1000 "J" series engine. They are the same. 1981-82 KZ1000/1100

Measure the primary winding resistance, got a OHM meter?
DVOM at Harbor Freight cheap.