how to test

[Trader]

is it possible to test TCI or the coils off the bike?

 

If so...how?

 

I've got my blonde torn apart (VERY apart!) which is VERY scary!

 

Anybody in Ontario got an 83 that they would be willing to try my TCI on?

 

How do you open it to see the condition of the diodes etc....cut it?

 

 

you are gonna see a lot of that emoticon in the near future!

[Freebird]

Here are a couple of threads that should help.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15135

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10640

[paysaw]

Are you having start or spark problems?

[Trader]

It was only running on 3 cylinders. I've got it torn apart now.

 

another question....the black air box on forward top of the engine, with 4 hoses running to just below the carbs....is that what most people eliminate?

 

What does it do and if it is eliminated, what about the hoses?

 

What about the "flat" molded plastic plates the fit on top of the engine...are they heat shields?

Do most folks keep them on?

[bongobobny]

OK the black thingey you refer to is the YICS and yes many prople do disconnect them. In theory they work but in reality the jury is still out. Just plug up all 4 vaccuum lines.

 

As far as testing the coils, there is a spec for them as far as resistance readings go. As far as the TCI goes, they trigger the coil primary, so just find a spare plug and put your coil wire on it and ground the metal part of the plug to the frame or any metal you can lay it on that is connected to and turn the starter over and watch for spark at the electrode. If you get any spark at all then the TCI is most likely good. Nom spark and you already tested tyhe coil then the TCI or a connector is bad.

 

I would suspect a bad carb as long as you are getting spark to the cylinder...

[bongobobny]

The black covers on the front and rear valve covers are a twofold device. They tend to keep the motor dry, and also shield the battery from engine heat...

[friesman]

Hey I think Rocket is in your neighbourhood right now with his 83 I think he is at Marcarls for a day or two.

 

Brian

is it possible to test TCI or the coils off the bike?

 

If so...how?

 

I've got my blonde torn apart (VERY apart!) which is VERY scary!

 

Anybody in Ontario got an 83 that they would be willing to try my TCI on?

 

How do you open it to see the condition of the diodes etc....cut it?

 

 

you are gonna see a lot of that emoticon in the near future!

[dingy]

One possible check for the TCI, and it is one I haven't tried, Would be to power it up and read the 4 coil output voltages. They should all read near 12v-.

 

The TCI on the Ventures is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a CDI. They are two distinctly different pieces of equipment.

 

A CDI puts a charged pulse on the coil each time the plug fires. A TCI circuit is normally energized, and the energy is removed from the coil each time the plug fires.

 

So if you put the positive lead of a digital meter one the positive battery terminal, you should read 12V if you check each of the 4 coil output wires. At the coil connection, generally a 2 prong connector (yellow on the 1st gens) one wire will be red with a tracer color, this is the 12v+. The other wires will be the TCI side, Orange (Cyl. #1 L.R.), Gray (Cyl. #2 L.F.), Yellow (Cyl. #3 R.R.) and White (Cyl. #4 R.F.). These are 1st gen colors. Not sure if the 2nd gens copied HD's wire scheme or not. Check to the TCI side wire of the coil with the negative meter lead.

 

Only use a digital meter when reading power on electronic circuits. It has to do with the bridge circuits in a needle type (analog) meter. They can destroy electronics.

 

If any of them are zero or low readings I would suspect the TCI.

 

Gary

[Snaggletooth]

What about the "flat" molded plastic plates the fit on top of the engine...are they heat shields?

Do most folks keep them on?

 

Yep.. heat shields.

 

When I bought my '84 there were dozens of parts packed in boxes. Took me a while to identify everything and it took me two years of decide to put the panels back on the bike.

 

Once I did I noticed a considerable difference in the saddle temp. Much cooler to sit on. What ever they were there to protect ... fine. But if they keep me from roasting my rump they are staying on. With the shields on and the holes in the side panels closed off with the chrome panels riding on those 100 degree days is much more bearable.

 

 

Mike