Guzzi electrical woes

I've got a '94 Moto Guzzi California 1100i, fuel injected that I've had for
about 4 years. It has also been modified for twin plugs.

About a year after I got it, it started `missing` slightly. At first it was
barely noticeable but over a period of weeks it got worse till it would
intermittantly run on just one cylinder. I gave it to my mechanic who
managed to get it running again, but has since said he is not sure what the
problem was.

Anyway after two years with no problems it has started doing it again. I
have pulled the side covers off and sprayed the leads that go into the
finned box on the left hand side. (about this point most of you will be
getting an idea of my mechanical aptitude) On the right hand side I have
pulled and sprayed the six relays and rotated them one position clockwise
because according to my mechanic all the relays are identical. I have pulled
the outside spark plugs, the only ones easily accessible and they were BLACK
with a fair build up of soot. I say soot because a lot of it just wiped off.
I have pulled, cleaned and sprayed the leads coming out of the coils. After
all that it will run fine for maybe half and hour then start missing again
on one cylinder.

Any ideas I can try please.?

 

Call for ZEEBEE on line 9...

 

I'll lay you five to one you have a cracked ignition coil.

Theo
ex '94 Cali 1100i owner, recently traded on a No... oops.

 

In aus.motorcycles on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:19:38 GMT

Well.. it's spark.

As you have electronic ignition we can forget condensers.

I'd be inclined to suspect the HT lead or the coil to be
intermittently faulty.

Swap leads, if the fault follows it you have found the culprit.

If it doesn't and swapping coils is too painful I'd just replace the
coil.

Zebee

 

Where's my fuckin' beer?...

 

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:47:51 +0800, "Theo Bekkers"

If I suspected the coils, I would mist them with some water to see if
I could induce the prob.

Would only work with an external *crack though.




vifer


* leaving this one open for snipes.

 

Thanks Guys, I'll give those ideas a go.
Cheers.

 

They tend to crack externally, I replaced two in 12 years on my '94. Rain
seems to have little effect on them. Heat is more of a problem. Unscrew and
inspect. It will be obvious. I replaced one temporarily with a coil from a
196x Landrover in the middle of the Nullarbor last year.

Theo