Help! Engine running bad!

[Dtryke]

Fellow-az Ryder

I hope the dealer fixes it right this time. Which one id you take it to-Ina road or 22nd st?

 

[AZ Desert Spyder]

Still in the shop......

I haven't had a chance to get on SpyderLovers for a couple of days so I'm catching up on the recent comments. Thanks again for all of the great feedback. I drained the gas and replaced the gas filter, so it doesn't appear to be a "bad gas" issue. To answer Dtryke in Tucson, I'm actually in Phoenix and my Spyder is at Ride Now Peoria.

I'm printing copies of everyone's comments and suggestions and I'll definitely pass that information on to the tech. He seems to be open to any information available from owners who have had similar issues. Based on your comments, it sure sounds like either a vacuum issue or spark plug wires. I'll make sure they focus on those. Thanks again, and I'll definitely post again when the issue is resolved!

 

[ARtraveler]

opcorn:opcorn: Keep us posted when you find the answer. Another :spyder2: mystery in progress.

 

[AZ Desert Spyder]

Still in the shop......

Yes, it's still in the shop!!! :banghead: They're still not sure what's wrong, but they are thinking it might be the ignition coil so they ordered a new one and will hopefully have it next week. But with the holidays, I won't be surprised if it takes longer. Fortunately, I'm busy with the holidays and don't have a lot of time for riding now anyway. But the weather here in Arizona has actually been fairly nice....highs in the 60s so I hope to be riding again soon. They said after tightening all connections and getting everything back together, it isn't acting up now, but they want to replace the parts to be safe. I guess if the parts take too long, I may just bring it home until the parts come in. But I'd prefer to think it's actually fixed before taking any long rides.

Anyway, I'll post another update when I have more information!
Rick

 

[BajaRon]

I'm sure this is not your exact problem but... I had a Plymouth Reliant (which is a laughable title if you ever owned one) and every once in awhile it would just start running so badily that I could hardly keep it going. But by the time I could get it home or to a mechanic, it ran fine.

Turned out to be the coil. Somehow it had broken loose inside and I'd hit a bump or take a turn just right and it would partially short out. New coil fixed it right up!

Hope you get this resolved soon.

 

[arntufun]

Yes, it's still in the shop!!! :banghead: They're still not sure what's wrong, but they are thinking it might be the ignition coil so they ordered a new one and will hopefully have it next week. But with the holidays, I won't be surprised if it takes longer. Fortunately, I'm busy with the holidays and don't have a lot of time for riding now anyway. But the weather here in Arizona has actually been fairly nice....highs in the 60s so I hope to be riding again soon. They said after tightening all connections and getting everything back together, it isn't acting up now, but they want to replace the parts to be safe. I guess if the parts take too long, I may just bring it home until the parts come in. But I'd prefer to think it's actually fixed before taking any long rides.

Anyway, I'll post another update when I have more information!
Rick

I have had a coil go bad and it instantly threw the Spyders service engine light on, and no power. This happened after I washed the Spyder and never corrected itself (like yours did for a While) until the coil was replaced. You would know the difference when your Spyder is running on one Cylinder like mine was. It just does not sound like your symptoms to me, but for your sake I hope it is.

Coil was $163.00 and labor was $102.00, all covered under warranty. Good luck

 

[bruiser]

It can be hard to check for spark jumping from bad plug wires, especially with the front cylinder. But you can take the tupperware off and run your spyder in the dark. Let your eyes adjust for several minutes and look at the wires. If they are arching anywhere that you can get a decent look see, you should be able to spot it.

You can also use something insulated, like a wooden or plastic handle, etc., and move the wires around some. This can help bring out the worst in a wire if it is an intermittent problem. A bit Micky Mouse but can result in finding the problem.

Trouble is, even if you don't see arching it doesn't mean the wires are good. You can also get gaps in the carbon core on stock wires that the spark can't jump. Or, it could be a completely unrelated issue giving you the same symptoms as bad wires.

Let us know what it is when you finally get it nailed down.

You can use a fine mist of water from a spray bottle. I use this when I can't troubleshoot ignition problems in a shaded/dark area. Take a spray bottle filled with water, adjust the nozzle for the finest mist possible. Spray the mist directly on the plug wires and around the coil, it'll show a "spark jump". Don't saturate the wires or coil. You can also ohm out the wires. "Typical" ohm readings are around 10,000 ohms per foot.

 

[BajaRon]

You can use a fine mist of water from a spray bottle. I use this when I can't troubleshoot ignition problems in a shaded/dark area. Take a spray bottle filled with water, adjust the nozzle for the finest mist possible. Spray the mist directly on the plug wires and around the coil, it'll show a "spark jump". Don't saturate the wires or coil. You can also ohm out the wires. "Typical" ohm readings are around 10,000 ohms per foot.

Good tip. If the wires are real bad you don't need the liquid misting but it probably would make problems show up more readily.

 

[bruiser]

True. And on a hot, sticky day when you're sweating you can find a bad wire too. :yikes: I was working on an engine with DIS ignition. It was running rough. I was real sweaty and leaned over the engine too far, I found the problem real quick when my sweaty body came in contact with the bad plug wire. pps: :cus: :cus:

 

[AZ Desert Spyder]

Spyder has come home!

Well, I finally picked up my Spyder yesterday. They replaced the coil and spark plug wires and said they gave it a good test ride (I bet they love that part) and they feel the problem has been resolved. I rode it home and so far so good, but I'll give it a much better test ride later today since the temp is supposed to reach 77 and that's perfect riding weather! So if you don't see any further posts here from meray:, it means all is well and I'm just out enjoying my Spyder!:yes::clap:
Thanks again to all of you who offered comments and suggestions!!!:bowdown:
Rick