Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    7
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default Troubleshooting Help: Front Cylinder not firing.

    Hello,

    I have a 2013 ST Limited. It started running really rough. Extremely sluggish, no power. Sitting in neutral, I cannot get the RPMs above 5000 when revving, and it takes a bit to get to that even.

    I have taken some of the plastics off, but haven't torn it completely down. I believe that it's only running on one cylinder.

    Here's what I've done so far:
    1. Disconnected the spark plug wire from the rear cylinder.
    RESULT: Engine would not start.
    2. Disconnected the spark plug wire for the front cylinder at the coil.
    RESULT: Engine started and ran exactly like it has as described above.

    So, with that said, I believe I have narrowed it down to the front cylinder not firing.
    My question is, what should the next steps be?
    Should I tear it down just enough to get to the front cylinder and check the plug condition?
    New wires?
    New coil?
    Anything else that would cause this condition?

    I have seen some discussions regarding plug wires, but I'm curious if anyone has ran into this same problem.

    On another note, does anyone know if BRP is still offering the replacement side panels with better cooling? I bought this used.

    Thanks for reading.

    EDIT:
    As I sit here and think about the issue this bike is having, here's a bit more information for symptoms.

    As long as I have had the Spyder (about 2 years), it always ran rough when first starting. Clutch chatter would be a normal occurrence when starting out.
    The engine would always run rough/low power until the RPMs would raise and then it would kick up and smooth out. Providing full power.

    This makes me think that his has been an intermittent problem that is now no longer intermittent. Which would generally rule out a mechanical issue. They tend to not be intermittent. When something breaks, it usually breaks.

  2. #2
    Very Active Member Grandpot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Fort Mill, SC
    Posts
    1,951
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    You seem to have a handle on what you are doing. Like you said, check the condition of the plug, then check to see if it is actually firing.

    If the plug is firing, check the injector. You'll need to get a Node that will fit the injector plug. Do not apply 12V directly to the injector.

    If the plug is firing and the Node indicates the injector is getting a firing signal, get a new injector.

    If you do not have a Node, you can exchange the front injector with the rear and see if the problem switches to the other cylinder.
    2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
    1998 Honda Valkyrie
    2006 Mustang GT. Varooooom!
    US Navy Veteran
    SC Law Enforcement Boat Captain
    CNC Machine Service Technician
    President: Rolling Thunder SC1
    Member: Disabled American Veterans, Rock Hill, SC
    Member: American Legion
    Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it!

  3. #3
    Very Active Member GOZFST's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    SD &AZ
    Posts
    544
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Be careful pulling the spark plug leads, if they are ungrounded it can damage the coils. Before you get too far into it, check the vacuum lines on the the throttle body. There are 2, one for each cylinder, the one in front seems to affected most by the trapped heat. They are easy to replace and fixed my rough running and stalling on my 2012 RT. Good luck. Do a search for the panels, if you can't find the BRP ones, one of the vendors here sells something similar
    Bob S

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    7
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grandpot View Post
    You seem to have a handle on what you are doing. Like you said, check the condition of the plug, then check to see if it is actually firing.

    If the plug is firing, check the injector. You'll need to get a Node that will fit the injector plug. Do not apply 12V directly to the injector.

    If the plug is firing and the Node indicates the injector is getting a firing signal, get a new injector.

    If you do not have a Node, you can exchange the front injector with the rear and see if the problem switches to the other cylinder.
    Thanks Grandpot,

    I really hope it's something simple. I do not have a node, but thanks for the tips.

    Hopefully the injectors are (relatively) easy to get to.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    7
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by GOZFST View Post
    Be careful pulling the spark plug leads, if they are ungrounded it can damage the coils. Before you get too far into it, check the vacuum lines on the the throttle body. There are 2, one for each cylinder, the one in front seems to affected most by the trapped heat. They are easy to replace and fixed my rough running and stalling on my 2012 RT. Good luck. Do a search for the panels, if you can't find the BRP ones, one of the vendors here sells something similar
    Thanks for the tips. I'll look into everything I can once I tear it down a bit more.

  6. #6
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    San Diego, CA.
    Posts
    31,097
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default Little checking.....

    I would get a plug wire and connect it to the coil with a spark plut at the other end grounded to the engine and crank the engine to see if you get spark to that plug. If you do the plug may be the issue and you will have to go in and change it. If so I recommend changing both plugs and get some high tension wires from BajaRon and be worry free. if no spark is present then it would be a coil or wiring to the coil issue. check all connection to the coil. The suggestion on the vaccum lines is good as many have had problems with them and replace them with silicone hoses. Also check the throttle body rubber manifolds for cracking. Sometimes spraying WD40 in that area will cause the rpm's to vary if they are leaking. Let us know what you find....
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    7
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chupaca View Post
    I would get a plug wire and connect it to the coil with a spark plut at the other end grounded to the engine and crank the engine to see if you get spark to that plug. If you do the plug may be the issue and you will have to go in and change it. If so I recommend changing both plugs and get some high tension wires from BajaRon and be worry free. if no spark is present then it would be a coil or wiring to the coil issue. check all connection to the coil. The suggestion on the vaccum lines is good as many have had problems with them and replace them with silicone hoses. Also check the throttle body rubber manifolds for cracking. Sometimes spraying WD40 in that area will cause the rpm's to vary if they are leaking. Let us know what you find....
    Thanks Chupaca,

    I ordered new plugs and wires from BajaRon. Hopefully this weekend I'll get some time to start tearing into it. I'm planning on checking everything I can as I get access to it.
    Here's to hoping it's a simple solution and not a Mechanical or Electronic issue.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Akron, OH
    Posts
    7
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Problem Solved:

    It was indeed a bad spark plug. New plugs and wires. What a pain in the ass for a simple spark plug change.

    It runs so good now that I feel that it has never run right since I got it. Like a new ride. Checked the vacuum lines ans they look good. I'll change them at a later date since they are relatively easy to get to.

    Thanks for the help and suggestions.

  9. #9
    Very Active Member Grandpot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Fort Mill, SC
    Posts
    1,951
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Good job.
    2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
    1998 Honda Valkyrie
    2006 Mustang GT. Varooooom!
    US Navy Veteran
    SC Law Enforcement Boat Captain
    CNC Machine Service Technician
    President: Rolling Thunder SC1
    Member: Disabled American Veterans, Rock Hill, SC
    Member: American Legion
    Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it!

  10. #10
    Very Active Member Haze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Lynden, WA
    Posts
    1,209
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Thanks for the followup.
    I agree that changing the plugs on the ST is a difficult task but well worth the effort.
    Good Job.
    David C
    2016 F3T
    DIY Garage Door Opener & GPS Mount
    Battery tender cable
    Rear IPS Pack Rack



Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •