coils

[mr_r_lake]

One problem follows another...Got my GS450 running.....on one cylindar. looks like a bad coil.

Simple question...Whats the difference between a single and double lead coil? I went pricing different coils and can't find any spacifically for this bike ( but the yamaha oem coils look exactly like the ones currently on my bike ) and noticed huge price differences between single and double lead coils.

Just lacking vocabulary at the moment...the coils on my bike have two wires..the common +12 ( orange/white ) and the ground that goes to the "ignitor". Does 2 wires = 2 leads or is there some other meaning to this terminology?

M.

[JHawkins]

The leads are referring to the high voltage outputs I believe.

On the 4 cylinder bikes there are two coils, each having 2 high voltage plug wires out of them.

I suspect yours has one plug wire per coil.

[Hotblack]

I think Hawkins is right, and you need single lead coils. All coils should have two low voltage (primary) leads, and if you have two coils you definitely need only one high voltage (secondary) lead per coil. You wallet should be happy.

[Hotblack]

I probably should add that it would be a good idea to make double dog sure it's not some other part of the ignition system that's causing loss of spark, or your wallet won't be that happy. Definitely look for spark with a new plug, test the plug wire if you can, make sure there's voltage to the coil, follow any diganostic steps on your ignitor, etc.

[JHawkins]

I have to concur with HotBlack, the coil would be the last thing I would suspect.

Plugs, plug boots, points and condensers (if it has points), dirty wiring connections, etc are far more likely causes.

[mr_r_lake]

I have to concur with HotBlack, the coil would be the last thing I would suspect.

Plugs, plug boots, points and condensers (if it has points), dirty wiring connections, etc are far more likely causes.

Well, Considering I'm still in the process of pulling all the ducktape off the wires from the previous owners "maintenance", this is a very real possibility. The coil that is failing however has the most ducktape on it makeing me very suspicious. The ball of tape for the spliced wires was almost an inch think...still trying to get down to the actual connectors after an hour of getting sticky goo all over my fingers...

M.

[mr_r_lake]

Thanks everybody for all your help...

After I got all the ducktape off the wires to the coil, I got spark!!! That was a lot of tape, took me 2 nights ( a couple hours each night ) to get all that tape off ( melted hardened ducktape doesn't come off so easy ). Put my bike back together and behold....running on one cylindar again...

This one was easy, replaced the plug....back on the road. Still thinking about replacing the coil cause of it's condition, but at least I'm riding this little beast again. ( just on time for next weeks 80 degree weather too )

Thanks again.

[Hotblack]

Yeah duct tape isn't good for permanent repairs, yuck. Glad you're mobile!