Triumphrat

sagaris · 10-25-2009, 04:54 PM

I was riding home in the rain last week when the tach and speedo started flickering with the inst lighting staying on. The bike began to lose power then died shortly after. Fuse #2 was blown, but the engine would only turn over (not start) after replacing the fuse. The bike registers the following DTC codes:
P0351 - Ignition coil 1 malfunction
P0352 - Ignition coil 2 malfunction
P0353 - Ignition coil 3 malfunction
P1351 - Ignition coil 1 open/short to ground
P1352 - Ignition coil 2 open/short to ground
P1353 - Ignition coil 3 open/short to ground

Before I order 3 new coils, is there another fault that would cause all coils to fail at the same time?
The bike has 28k miles with no previous issues. The plugs are 2 yrs old and the coils are original.

Any ideas would help. I'm about at wit's end.
Thanks in advance!

DEcosse · 10-25-2009, 05:34 PM

I would not rush to change your coils
Probably associated with low battery voltage caused by the blown charging fuse (#2). Your battery is probably considerably discharged.
The dash panel flickering is synonymous with the battery voltage running low due to being in total loss mode (i.e. supplying all the power for the bike running without being re-charged)
Re-charge your battery with a bench charger and once started, check the voltage across it with bike running to ensure that charging system is working properly.
Inspect the two connector plugs from the stator - one of these is at by the top left of the cam-cover by the left top engine mount; the other is up close to the R/R in the tail - both are three-pin connectors.

bradtx · 10-25-2009, 06:38 PM

sagaris, Double check that fuse 6 isn't blown. This feeds all three coils through the power relay and fuse 3.

Brad

DEcosse · 10-25-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradtx

Double check that fuse 6 isn't blown. This feeds all three coils through the power relay and fuse 3....

Possible, although that feeds injectors also, yet no injector alarms.

Since you were able to pull the codes sagaris, I assume you are also able to clear them.
What you want to see is they re-appear again after being cleared.
You can also do a resistance check on the primary windings of the coils - should be 0.8 ohms.

sagaris · 10-25-2009, 10:27 PM

DEcosse-
After charging the battery the bike will turn over but not start. As the engine is turning, the battery drains very quickly and needs to be recharged. After three failed starts, the engine won't turn and the inst panel fails to light. I'll check the stator connections when there's more light tomorrow.

Brad-
Only fuse #2 was blown, fuse #6 is still good.

bradtx · 10-26-2009, 08:17 AM

sagaris, I didn't really think fuse 2 would be blown, but it was an easy enough item to check based on the DTCs. Fuse 3 good? (The '02 recently went through the same thing, twice, but didn't throw any DTCs.)

The engine should start even with both of the R/R connectors disconnected so it's time to check basics. Is the neutral lamp lit? Does the fuel pump prime when key is first switched on? Does the headlamp turn off when starter button is thumbed (won't prevent starting, but can cause the battery to discharge more quickly)? May need to use jumper cables if battery is dying.

Before moving on to the charging problem the engine's gotta start.

Brad

sagaris · 10-26-2009, 10:49 AM

Brad-
Fuse #3 is good. When I turn on the ignition, the fuel pump primes and the neutral lamp is lit. When trying to start, the headlight flickers or becomes dim as the engine is turning, but doesn't turn off. I'll try again with the kickstand up once the battery is finished charging.

DEcosse-
Both stator connections look good.

Edit: nix the kickstand idea. the neutral light bypasses the kickstand switch.

sagaris · 10-27-2009, 04:29 PM

All of the ignition coil fault codes came back after clearing them. The plugs look pretty fouled for only being 2yrs old, and the insulation on the common brown wire between fuses 1-4 is dry and cracked. I'll clean those wires and try a fresh set of plug tomorrow.

bradtx · 10-28-2009, 08:19 AM

sagaris, The brown/pink wire, common to all three coils should have battery standing on them with the key on.

The ECU isn't able to detect and generate a DTC with a faulty spark plug, but can detect an open or shorted circuit to the coils or a faulty coil.

Brad

sagaris · 11-03-2009, 05:23 PM

Sorry for the delay. It's been hard to work on the bike without a garage in this weather!

All three coils had failed open. I also replaced the battery since it wouldn't hold a charge after 2 or 3 failed starts. After replacing them, the fault codes did not come back. Now it will keep turning over but won't start. It's not "coughing" as it's turning over, so I'm concerned it's not getting fuel (even though the pump primes when I turn on the ignition).

Is there a way to check fuel pressure/delivery? Any other ways to check the fuel system?