Q: I was coming home from Chillicothe Easyriders on my 1998 1200 Sporty when the Sportster tach jumped around, and then stalled. It started again, then maxed out and the bike died…..any ideas where I should start? The tach was fluctuating wildly while the engine was running smooth. Then it would sputter until the tach buried itself past redline and the engine died. It turns over fine but won’t start now.
-Thanks, Brock
Feedback: Well, I disconnected the tach and it fired up, warmed up, went up and down the block and sputtered & died again. .. ?//?? what next bros?
A: First, check the condition of your spark plugs and spark plug wires for something simple or obvious. Next, use a multimeter to test your coil. Disconnect all wires from your coil. Set your meter to ohms. Test the primary side of the coil (the 2 posts where your ignition wires go). Attach one lead to each post. The meter should read somewhere between 2.5 to 3.1 ohms. Then, test the secondary side of the coil (where the spark plug wires plug in). Place one lead in each socket. The meter should read somewhere between 10k to 12.5k. If you have readings above these, your coil is bad.
Feedback: Hey man, I just wanted to get back to ya and say THANKS!!!! It did turn out to be the coil. I’m back on two wheels and I sure appreciate your help!
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