1996 GPZ-reconnecting a spark plug wire.

shah269 · 04-10-2008, 10:08 AM

About a month ago while working on the bike my #3 spark plug wire separated from both the ignition coil as well as the boot.
I took a look and it appeared that the wire just plugged back in. So any way took a look, cleaned things up with a bit of alcohol and compressed air and plugged every thing back in.
I went for a ride night before last to test every thing out, the bike wasn't very happy at the low RPMs but was more than happy at speed.
Today I rode her to work to discuss the low RMP / bad idle issue with one of my friends who is a retired wrench.
And right off the bat he noted that I wasn't running on all cylinders and said I should go and maybe snip a 1/4th of an inch off the ends of the wires and "screw" them back in.
Ok I kind of get it maybe I didn't put every thing back together but has any one ever had this issue? Any pointers and do you think I did any damage? Those dam coils will cost me more than my bike is worth.
Thanks mates!

93FZR1K · 04-10-2008, 11:08 AM

Your wrench friend is correct snip 1/4" from each end and screw them back in. It wouldn't hurt to do all 4 as the wires tend to corrode with age.

shah269 · 04-10-2008, 11:13 AM

For real?
Ok help out a dumb ass here....what am I "screwing" them back into?
Did i not see something when I las looked inthere....ok the lighting was bad maybe I missed it. I there some sort of screw in there that the wires screw back into?
Also ya think I did any damage to the old birds electronics?

ctandc · 04-10-2008, 12:33 PM

The spark plug boot (rubber piece connected to the wire, that slips over the spark plug) has a small 'stud' or post when the spark plug wire goes INTO the boot.

Cut off a 1/4" or so of the plug wire. Push the wire in and hold the boot firm to the wire and screw it on like you would a nut or bolt. The little post will thread itself into the copper middle of the spark plug wire for a good connection.

Do all 4 and put some dielectric grease inside the boots and the plug ends.

shah269 · 04-10-2008, 12:49 PM

Ok how about inside the coilpack?
Is there anything in there?

93FZR1K · 04-10-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shah269

Ok how about inside the coilpack?
Is there anything in there?

Same thing on the coil side there is a small stud inside there also. Do #3 first since the wire has already been pulled and make sure there is a stud not all factory coils have the studs. If there is no stud in the coil you will have to replace the coil.

shah269 · 04-10-2008, 04:28 PM

Muchas thanks!

shah269 · 04-10-2008, 09:53 PM

Well that was easy....but wow I only counted maybe 5 copper wired in there!
Wow I thought that there would be way more than 5!
Any how cleaned, snipped, lubed and reinstalled all of them.
But still the bike isn't happy. She just isn't ideling well at all.
She pulls nice and strong, but any thing unger 3k rpm she's unhappy.
I'm guessing maybe bad gas?

cbrenthus · 04-10-2008, 11:16 PM

Bad gas is possible, but I wouldn't rule out electrical. Remember, when it comes to troubleshooting anything, you could have two or even more problems, that all result in the same symptom. Or, you could have one problem create another. If the wire wasn;t getting enough electricity to the plug, it may not have fired good enough to burn all the gas and as a result got fouled up. So the symptom is the same even though the problem is different. Make sense?

The first thing I would do is replace all the plugs. For the moeny, if you are going to take them out you might as well put new ones in there while you're at it. If that doesn't help, my next step would be to re-inspect all your plug connections. Lastly, I would get a meter and start checking the whole electrical system.

shah269 · 04-11-2008, 05:02 PM

Took her for a short spin this afternoon 50+/- miles and well let me say....dam she pulls!
But it appears she has two idle points.
One low and one high. The high being at 3K RPM and the low at 1.5K RPM.
Very odd thing. If I go below 3K RPM due to engine braking she'll settle down at 1.5K RPM. But If I just pull in the clutch and ride brakes and she'll hold 3K RPM.
It's the darndest thing.
I'm thinking maybe my sinc may be off. Well see.
As for misfires or dead plugs, well....the plugs looked ok.
And further more, sniffing the exhaust didn't reveal any unburned gas and I didn't hear any back firing.
But thanks for the help guys!

93FZR1K · 04-12-2008, 06:51 PM

Check your carb boots at both sides, make sure they are tight the idle thing sounds like a lean condition.