2001 kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja Logo
Posted on Jun 05, 2009

I have a 1986 ZX600 Ninja.Two of the cylinders intermittenty work

I have a 1986 ZX600 Ninja. Two of the cylinders intermittently fire. Twice the bike temporarily stranded me. The first time I was riding down the road and the ignition just quit. I pulled off the road and tried starting it 10 times with no luck. I let the bike sit for 10 minutes and tried starting it again and it lit and I was able to drive 8 miles home with no problem. The other time I got temporarily stranded was when I road the bike for 25 minutes and parked it and did some shopping at the men’s mall. I came out a 1/2 hour later and the bike wouldn’t start. So I started pushing the bike to the nearest Kawasaki dealer and after 15 minutes of pushing I tried to start it, and it started right up. And again I was able to drive the bike 25 miles home with no problem. Oh, one other time it wouldn’t start is when I took it to a used motorcycle dealer to get the carbs cleaned. Two days later when the carb cleaning was done, I went to pick it up, and it wouldn't start. I told the guy at this used cycle dealer that the bike wouldn’t start and he said he'd have the mechanic look at it the next day. I went to pick it up the next day and it started right up. There were about 5 other instances when I wanted to take the bike for a ride and it wouldn’t even start in my garage. Therefore, the bike didn't even have a chance to stand me on those days. I don't remember which two cylinder don't fire, but they are the two that the right (as you are sitting on the bike) coil gives spark to. I don't think it's the coil because one of the times when the bike wouldn’t start in my garage I took one of the coils (which looks the same as the Ninja coil) off my 1985 Kawasaki LTD1100, measured the ohms in the LTD coil and compared it to Ninja coil and they were the same. I know the Ninja coil ohms were ok because they matched the ohms specified in the Clymer shop manual. I installed the LTD coil and the bike still wouldn’t start. I also did a visual inspection on the stator and rotor. Visually they looked OK, although I didn’t have the special tool to take off the rotor so I didn’t get a detailed look at the stator. And what the heck is an igniter box. Is this a fancy name for a glorified CDI box? The manual mentioned this igniter box but it said to take bike to shop if the igniter box is problem. Isn't this why we buy shop manuals?, so we don't have to take our bikes to the shop at rate of $200.00 an hour.
I don't think this is a fuel supply problem because the first time this happened I played with the choke and if I had the throttle in just the right spot, the bike started but idled poorly and sounded like a diesel engine. I ran it at idle for 2 minutes and just cracked the throttle and the bike died. I then felt the four exhaust pipes and the two that the right coil gives spark to were cold the other two were hot. No wonder it sounded like a diesel engine, only two cylinders were firing. Anyway, if anyone has a clue to what might be wrong with my Ninja or have even heard of this problem with Ninjas, please give me your input

Thanks,
KP

1 Answer

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 05, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Joined: Jun 05, 2009
Answers
2
Questions
1
Helped
1036
Points
2

If the bike has a ignition control module when it gets hot it will open and shut you bike off. when it cools down it will close letting the bike start.if you a theift device you may want to disarm it.

3 Related Answers

sisadsl

gavin jones

  • 1508 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 04, 2010

SOURCE: 91 zx600 ninja voltage regulator

they are all pretty close, check the plug shape and the different colored wires going in. most stators put out similar voltage and amps, it should have three yellow or white which are the ac voltage and a red and a black for positive and earth, if there are other colors as well make sure the replacement has the same

Ad

Anonymous

  • 666 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 16, 2010

SOURCE: how do I clean the carborator on my 1994 kawasaki

Carburator Theory and Tuning
carb_jet_usage1a.jpg

For some reason everyone seems to think tuning a carb is just real easy. Change a jet or two and boom, your there. Yeah, right ! There are quite literally millions and millions of jet combinations. A rough check on Bing carbs shows there are at least 13,860,000 different combinations of jets. If you are going to change carbs you'd better be prepared to spend some time and money on the job.
venturi1a.jpgmainjet_1a.jpgIf you look at a carburetor, you will notice a rather large hole going from one side to the other. This is called a Venturi. Air passes into the engine through this hole (Venturi). As the velocity of the air entering the carb (and then the engine) increases, it's pressure decreases, creating a low pressure or vacuum in the venturi. This vacuum moves around in the venturi, as the throttle is opened, and sucks gasoline through the different jets in the carb. The gas then mixes with the air going through the venturi. The way the jets are made causes the fuel to vaporize as it goes into the venturi. Where the jets are placed in the carb and where the jet's outlet is located in the venturi, determines what part of the throttle opening that jet controls. The idle jet system (comprised of pilot air jet, pilot fuel jet and pilot fuel screw) controls from 0% to about 25% of the throttle opening. The throttle valve controls 0% to 35% of the throttle opening. The needle jet and jet needle control from 15% to 80% of the throttle opening and the main jet controls 60% to 100%. This means that when you open the throttle about one eighth of the way open, all of the gas/air mixture going into your engine is controlled by the idle jet. As you can see, the different jets over lap the operating range of each other. That is, the jet needle starts to effect things before the effect of the idle jet ends. This is something to remember when working on carbs... everything is interconnected. Change one thing and it will effect other things.
OK, let's go over the different systems in the carb and see what they do.

  1. Fuel level. The fuel level is controlled by the fuel floats and the fuel float valve. The floats are hollow or made of something that will float on gasoline, such as cork. Part of the float presses against the float valve, sometimes called a needle and seat. Most times the part of the float that touches the float valve needle is bendable so you can adjust the level of the fuel in the floatbowel. All plastic floats are not adjustable. If this level is way too high, gas can leak out the carb overflow tube or into the engine. If fuel gets into the engine it will thin out the engine oil, ruining it's ability to lubricate. This will, sooner or later, blow up your engine ! If a full tank of gas in the evening turns into a half tank by morning, check your oil. If it's thin and smells like gas, change it and replace your float valve and/or check your fuel level. If the oil is OK, check under the overflow tube. If it's OK, then check where you are parking your bike 'cuse someone is walking away with your gas ! If your fuel level is just a bit high, the mixture will tend to be a bit rich. If it's low, the mixture will tend to be a bit lean. This is because a high level takes less vacuum to **** fuel into the engine and a low level takes more vacuum to do the same.


  2. Pilot or idle jet system. The idle jet controls the idle and on up to quarter throttle, give or take a bit. On some carbs, like Mikuni there is an air jet too. In conjunction with the idle jet there is an idle jet air screw. This screw leans or richens the fuel mixture for a smooth idle and on up to one quarter throttle. From the idle jet, there are little passages cast into the carb that lead to holes just in front of the throttle valve or plate. There can be just one hole or there can be several, depending on the carb design. They effect the mixture as long as the vacuum, in the venturi, is over them. As the throttle opens further, the vacuum moves to the needle jet and jet needle.
  3. The Throttle Valve. The big slide that opens and closes your throttle has a bevel angle cut in one side of the big round (can be flat, too) slide, toward the air cleaner. This angle comes in several sizes and helps control the fuel mixture from idle to about 35% open throttle.
  4. Needle Jet. This jet doesn't really even look like a jet, but it is ! It controls the fuel mixture from 15% to 60% open throttle. It sets in the center of the carb, right over the main jet.
  5. Jet Needle. This is the needle that rides in the throttle slide and goes into the needle jet. This needle controls the fuel mixture from 20% to 80% open throttle. It can come in many different sized tapers. Sometimes, one needle can have several tapers on it. The top end of the needle has grooves cut in it, usually five, and you can move the little clip on the end up or down to lean (down) or richen (up) the mixture. Most late model bikes have needles with only one groove cut in them. This is so you can't richen the mixture, thereby keeping the EPA happy.
  6. Main Jet. This jet controls the fuel mixture from 60% to 100% open throttle.

Anonymous

  • 345 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 14, 2010

SOURCE: picture of the ignition wires and where they go on

Is this the one you need ,ignition coils?
363071c.gif

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Whats the firing order for a 1990 Kawasaki 600 zx ninja.

The ZX6, as with most four-cylinder motorcycle engines, is mounted transversely in the frame. When sitting on the bike, the cylinders are numbered 1-2-3-4 left to right.

Firing Order: the firing order is 1-2-4-3. There is no distributor for the engine, as ignition is controlled electronically.

Extra Ignition Information: there are only two ignition coils for this engine. Each coil has two spark plug wires. One coil fires cylinders 1 and 4. The other fires cylinders 2 and 3
tip

KAWASAKI ZX-6R (ZX600) NINJA CAM & CRANK TIMING SETUP 1995 - 1998 Turn the...

KAWASAKI ZX-6R (ZX600) NINJA CAM & CRANK TIMING SETUP 1995 - 1998

Turn the engine over by using a 17mm socket or spanner on the crank until the no.1 inlet valve goes down & then comes back up; continue turning until the T mark for cylinders 1:4 lines up with the rear mating surface of the 2 crankcases, number 1 cylinder is now at top dead center on the compression stroke.
The cams are marked 117 IN & 117 EX so they don't get mixed up, align the IN & EX marks on each sprocket with the the cylinder head surface so that the IN marks face to the rear & the EX marks face to the front.
Next check the no of roller pins in the cam-chain between the inlet cams IN mark & the Exhaust cams EX marks, make sure that all the slack is taken up on the rear run & that there is none at the front or between the camshafts: There must be 30 pins in between the 2 marks (including the ones next to each mark)
If everything is still the same when you have the camshafts bolted down you are OK

Ride safe
Bike-Doc
0helpful
1answer

What kind of test does the pulsar on required1994 Kawasaki's ninja zx600 e to check if its good or bad

If the bike just cuts out whilst riding and wont start straight away but will when it cools down its the pick up for sure.
You cant test it they only fail when hot
0helpful
1answer

How to replace starter on 94 ninja 500

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX 500 Service and Repair Manual PDF Download
KAWASAKI NINJA ZX 6 ZZR600 ZZR500 ZX500 D1 D2 ZX600 E1 E13 1993 1994...

These manuals are your number one source for repair and service information. They are specifically written for the do-it-yourselfer as well as the experienced mechanic. Using this repair manual is an inexpensive way to keep your vehicle working properly. Each manual provides step-by-step instructions based on the complete disassembly of the machine. It is this level of detail, along with hundreds of photos and illustrations, that guide the reader through each service and repair procedure.
0helpful
1answer

What Kind of battery do I need for this bike?

OEM Type:
Yuasa #YTX9-BS Motorcycle Battery for Kawasaki ZX600-FA Ninja ZX-6R - 600cc (2008-2011)
0helpful
1answer

Need spark plug whats the recomended size in a 2001 zx600

The stock plug is NGK CR9E. The bike uses four spark plugs.
0helpful
1answer

Anyone know the firing order for a 96 zx6r

1-3-4-2 when you consider as 1rst the far left hand cylinder as you ride the bike.But you need to know that the firing coils are engaged in pairs.
The 1rst and 4rth fire together and the 2nd and 3rd too.The difference is that while the 1rst fires the mixture the 4rth fires in the exhausts inside the cylinder etc
1helpful
1answer

1986 Kawasaki Ninja won't fire

Theres fuel starvation, the carbs are not getting required fuel in other words the float chambers doesnt get the correct amount of fuel .
Check the fuel flow from the petcock to the carburators.
Check the float pin and adjust accordingly to get the right level inthe float chamber of each carburator.
Hope this helps!
Not finding what you are looking for?

821 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top kawasaki Experts

Arnie Burke
Arnie Burke

Level 3 Expert

7339 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

Bob G

Level 2 Expert

104 Answers

Are you a kawasaki Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...