Igniter?

[tadkins]

Hello Everyone,

So I'm loving this 454 since buying it about a month ago. What a nice motor!

Recently, however, it has developed an ignition problem that I believe is the igniter.

About a week ago, it became hard to start -- rather finnicky where before it would crank right up. About the same time, I was coasting up to a stop with the clutch pulled in, doing my normal slight revs at gear down and it just plain quit -- stone dead -- but then cranked right back up.

Since that time, I have pressed the starter button to absolutely nothing on occasion, but hear a slight "click" under the seat.

Again today it did the "dead stop" act when I was coasting up to a stop sign, but again, started right up.

So I've started the diagnostics, but can't seem to find an igniter to buy, even at outrageous prices -- hard to believe since this igniter was used on the Vulcan well into the 90's, but I can't find one to save my rear.

The bike runs great otherwise -- I was just getting to the valves for adjustment when this little gremlin showed up. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated and a source for an igniter if folks feel this is what the likely culprit is.

Thanks in advance!

[tadkins]

Hey everyone,

forgot to add this is an 85 with 8,100 miles...

[eaglerider]

Go ahead and check/adjust the valves, since it is due anyway. Cm mheck all your ground connections, and frame3 ground connections.....could possibly be a problem there, killing your voltage...although, the simptoms you describe do sound like the ignitor. Hard to believe it is happening with such low mileage, but certainly not impossible. Usually, when they go out, it is when they "heat up" while driving, and act as you stated.....sorta like the ignition module in the 70s & 80s chevy pickups. Have you checked ebay??

[sigpromo]

Greetings... New Member here... I have a '85 that I purchased several years ago.. and it has been running off and on .... Thanks to this site I went ahead and removed the carbs. cleaned them out. ETC.

Started up and now ... it runs fine until warm.. then starts to die out... So, I am wondering if I am having a problem with the igniter as well. Is there a way to test this out..

I am also wondering if tadkins was able to locate one on line... I really don't want to pay $300 plus to get this part. :-(

[Jet⚡Black]

How old is your battery? Do any of the wires under the seat look black, toasty, or melted? IC igniters rarely fail by themselves, usually a bad plug wire or insulator starts shorting the coil which blows the IC igniter. If the IC igniter does go the wires are usually burnt up.

Other possibilities that cause same problem: Needs a valve adjustment, the side stand switch can cut power at anytime if it's faulty or shorting(or accidentally bumping stand when coming to a stop), forgetting to turn the choke off, bad plug wire/insulator (which can blow a coil and ic igniter), regulator/rectifier acting up(melted wires will be present), a dirty fuel line, running too rich, poorly set idle, clogged/broken vacuum line, dirty carbs, tank not venting (open cap and run it to check), loose ground or other wiring, clutch still trying to pull a little when engaged (adjust clutch cable/rod).

So um yeah, knowing what's exactly wrong over a forum isn't an easy call...lotsa things can cause the same issues So if you see no burnt or melted wires...start going through the list?

[sigpromo]

May 25, 2012 23:11:50 GMT -6 Jet⚡Black said:

How old is your battery? Do any of the wires under the seat look black, toasty, or melted? IC igniters rarely fail by themselves, usually a bad plug wire or insulator starts shorting the coil which blows the IC igniter. If the IC igniter does go the wires are usually burnt up.

Other possibilities that cause same problem: Needs a valve adjustment, the side stand switch can cut power at anytime if it's faulty or shorting(or accidentally bumping stand when coming to a stop), forgetting to turn the choke off, bad plug wire/insulator (which can blow a coil and ic igniter), regulator/rectifier acting up(melted wires will be present), a dirty fuel line, running too rich, poorly set idle, clogged/broken vacuum line, dirty carbs, tank not venting (open cap and run it to check), loose ground or other wiring, clutch still trying to pull a little when engaged (adjust clutch cable/rod).

So um yeah, knowing what's exactly wrong over a forum isn't an easy call...lotsa things can cause the same issues So if you see no burnt or melted wires...start going through the list?

Battery is Brand new and freshly charged. Choke was off (went off very soon after started as it was running very smooth). Fuel lines were cleaned and replaced when I cleaned the carbs. Don't think it is the kickstand issue. So, I will start going over the other part of the 'list'. Thank you for the info... I GREATLY appreciate it!!!!!
~Craig