ridgeback stopped running

[3dognight]

ok we need some help here. 2004 Ridgeback, stock except the Spike filter and V&H BR pipes. cranked up fine (full battery on charger) and did ok for about a mile. With no warning it died and would not restart. This was on the side of the road so tools and resources were very limited but we pulled the front plug and turned it over to see if we had spark and it cranked! It ran like crap on 1 cylinder but did run. Put the plug back in and woud only turn over but not fire. Called the shop (Bikers Dream in Atl) as they were closing and the tech said sounds like a coil. We could not get it fired after that. Has anyone heard of something like this? does it even sound possible? Help?

 

[Moespeeds]

One cylinder is usually a coil.

 

[lee]

first thing is not to test for spark with the other plug connected up. Did you get spark on the plug you tested?

 

[Billy the kid]

This might be a stupid question, but is the gas turned on.

 

[avdhunter]

This might be a stupid question, but is the gas turned on.

X2

 

[scubaman15]

X2

:roll::roll::roll:

 

[3dognight]

yes the gas is on. My wife was riding it so I am not exactly sure what it sounded like or felt like, but she said it was running like it was cold (dont see how that was as it warmed up several minutes before leaving) and then just stopped running. It didnt spit or sputter but almost like someone turned it off. It sounded alright trying to fire it back but it never would catch. We pulled the front plug to see if we were getting spark and with the front plug out, it would run. the front plug was not sparking by the way. we put the plug back in and it just turned. the plug looked fine but I pulled one out of my running pit to check on the not running ridgeback and got the same result with a plug I know was good. coil seems to be a popular answer?

 

[DRBarnhart]

Did you try swapping the plug wires?

If you do and nothing changes it's the coil.

Dennis

 

[B RADDD]

coil x2

 

[RRRUFF]

I'm gonna go with not enough fuel. Check to see if you are getting a good stream of gas at the carb. If so drop the fuel bowl off the bottom of the carb and look for debris. Spray some carb cleaner through the jets. Cheap and easy to do, if all this checks out then go back to ignition. Start with new plugs.

 

[Slider]

check to make sure the plug wire isn't arcing where it plugs into the coil. check to make sure the wire has a good connect to the coil. I had a similar issue where arcing caused carbon buildup insiide the hole of the coil, ran on one cylinder too until I cleaned it up

 

[3dognight]

Thanks for all the input guys but sadly I havent even taken it off the trailer yet. still loaded from where we picked it up off the side of the road. I have some direction when I get to it though and things to check and will keep you posted as to what I find out. Thanks again for the help.

 

[3dognight]

Finally had a chance to tinker with the Dog. Slider, good call! I pulled the wires from the coil and indeed there was a bit of carbon and road grime. The front wire had worked loose at the coil and was arcing. A clean rag and 10 minutes and she was growling like she always has. No time to test ride yet but all seems to be well again. Thanks for the suggestions all.

This is exactly why I love my Dog. Not only the ride itself, but good people like the members here willing and very able to help out a sidelined rider.