Coil testing procedure

Just fired up my 2001 5th gen after various mods over the winter. One of which was to replace no 4 ignition coil as i was getting no spark at the plug. After i fired her up no 4 was fine. Now i have no spark at no 3! Previously it was fine. Have got power to both terminals on the coil.Connected up another coil and lead tonight and still no spark. Coil wasn't bolted down just lay on the frame. Can anybody point me to a test procedure or anybody got any ideas?

 

i do believe it needs to be bolted down for frame ground

 

Just realised that. Will do that tomorrow. Just find it strange one coil went followed by another one even though the bike has not been used.

 

Switch those coils and try again! If the outage moves with the coil the problem is with the coil. If the outage stays at the same cylinder the problem is somewhere else.

 

Changed the coil today but still no spark. However i could hear a ticking sound coming from the bundle of wires behind no 1 cylinder, sounded like a spark going to earth.Moved them around and no 3 chimed in! Took tank and rear fairing off for better access but couldn't see anything at all. Bike running ok now - so what it was no idea. Will keep an eye on it. Found a good way to test if a cylinder is firing, use a child's water pistol and spray the header!! After burning myself last time this is now my weapon of choice! Soon as my Sargent seat comes back from the upholsterers next week will take her out for a trial run.

 

Run that baby in a dark room and try to find the errant spark. You need to insulate it so it doesn't happen again!

 

If you could hear a ticking it is a coil HT lead that is jumping to the frame somewhere and a coil does not need to be bolted to the frame to work, it doesn't need to be earthed