Tricky Ignition Problem

smp · February 14th, 2015, 08:57 PM

My 2010 Ninja started idling like crap, and lost a lot of power.
Turns out the left cylinder has a very weak spark, but i cant figure out why.
i have tried the following:
-Checked plug Gap
-Swapped plugs
-Checked coil primary and secondary impedance.
-Swapped L-R Coils
-Checked for Battery voltage at coil
-Swapped IC box from another running Ninja
-Checked impedance of wiring from IC to coils (only 1ohm)

No matter what I did, the left cylinder spark was weak, or not sparking at all.
The only clue I have is the voltage being applied to the coil by the IC was much lower on the left vs. right. I don't have a peak voltage tool, but the averaged voltage read by my fluke was 10v on the right, vs 1volt on the left.

Another interesting twist is my tach stopped working about 2 months ago.

any ideas?

csmith12 · February 14th, 2015, 09:08 PM

Welcome Seth, the problem is obviously is V-Day. I call sabotage. lol

Motofool · February 14th, 2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smp

..............

any ideas?

Welcome !!!

That 1 volt reaching the coil is not normal; the problem seems to be in the CDI.

smp · February 14th, 2015, 11:19 PM

thanks motofool,

the 1V reading isnt real, its just how the voltmeter is averaging out the very fast pulses from the IC, the IC should be sending a pulse of 250V, but i don't have a way to measure the actual peak voltage. Anyways i tried swapping out the IC with no improvement.

Motofool · February 15th, 2015, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smp

thanks motofool,

the 1V reading isnt real, its just how the voltmeter is averaging out the very fast pulses from the IC, the IC should be sending a pulse of 250V, but i don't have a way to measure the actual peak voltage. Anyways i tried swapping out the IC with no improvement.

Then, coiild the problem be in the high voltage cable or plug connector?

RcTechnologies · March 16th, 2015, 03:07 PM

There may be another arc somewhere post coil, possible solution replace plug wire. This happens when cages get high miles. In fact, the peak voltage going to the plug is seriously high in energy and can generate a spark that leaps to one object (thereby electrically charging it), and by "corona effect" leap to another object where it can find a grounding path capable of handling that amount of energy.

February 14th, 2015, 08:57 PM	#1
smp ninjette.org newbie Name: Seth Location: LA Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 2	Tricky Ignition Problem My 2010 Ninja started idling like crap, and lost a lot of power. Turns out the left cylinder has a very weak spark, but i cant figure out why. i have tried the following: -Checked plug Gap -Swapped plugs -Checked coil primary and secondary impedance. -Swapped L-R Coils -Checked for Battery voltage at coil -Swapped IC box from another running Ninja -Checked impedance of wiring from IC to coils (only 1ohm) No matter what I did, the left cylinder spark was weak, or not sparking at all. The only clue I have is the voltage being applied to the coil by the IC was much lower on the left vs. right. I don't have a peak voltage tool, but the averaged voltage read by my fluke was 10v on the right, vs 1volt on the left. Another interesting twist is my tach stopped working about 2 months ago. any ideas?

February 14th, 2015, 09:08 PM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome Seth, the problem is obviously is V-Day. I call sabotage. lol __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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February 14th, 2015, 11:19 PM	#4
smp ninjette.org newbie Name: Seth Location: LA Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 2	thanks motofool, the 1V reading isnt real, its just how the voltmeter is averaging out the very fast pulses from the IC, the IC should be sending a pulse of 250V, but i don't have a way to measure the actual peak voltage. Anyways i tried swapping out the IC with no improvement.

March 16th, 2015, 03:07 PM	#6
RcTechnologies ninjette.org member Name: Russ Location: California Join Date: Mar 2015 Motorcycle(s): '12 EX250JC Posts: 25	There may be another arc somewhere post coil, possible solution replace plug wire. This happens when cages get high miles. In fact, the peak voltage going to the plug is seriously high in energy and can generate a spark that leaps to one object (thereby electrically charging it), and by "corona effect" leap to another object where it can find a grounding path capable of handling that amount of energy.