Page 2 of 6

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 2:46 pm
by rcmatt007
or the connections between 40 year old wiring

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 9:05 pm
by AussieGold
as mentioned , the wiring on these bikes is 40+ yrs old. the very reason to use a relay. to remove any doubt that the ignition receives full voltage. preferably fused. in my opinion.
i originally connected mine via the green/white wire that supplies the flasher unit. nothing wrong with that if you are certain
of its connections. i removed all doubts for myself by creating a dedicated power source.
been using these ignitions for a good while now (2013), ( i have three) and cannot fault them .

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:30 pm
by millerdog
I spoke with Paul at C5, and he said to get power directly from the battery with a fuse. He said the main problem with our bikes was voltage spikes from the voltage regulator which tends to burn out the module. They make a dc to dc converter that cleans up the volts from the regulator. I still haven’t received mine yet, but we will soon see!!

C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 4:38 pm
by millerdog
Hey y’all. I’m still struggling with this ignition. I’ve had the carbs professionally rebuilt thinking that might be the problem, but apparently not. It runs great right up to around 5 to 6 thousand rpms. That’s when it just starts busting out across the board. I’ve spoken with Paul at C5, and he suggested it might be a rejet issue. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with these ignitions. I have less than half a volt drop between the battery and coils, so it’s not a voltage drop issue. I’m seriously thinking about going back to a Dyna ignition at this point. Never had this problem with any other ignition I’ve ran. Thanks!

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:25 pm
by Whiskerfish
What is the rest of your setup? Year engine, stock, stock intake and exhaust etc etc etc

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:34 pm
by millerdog
I’m still having the same issues. Bike runs fine up to around 6 grand. Then it starts busting out across all cylinders. I’ve had the carbs rebuilt, and still the same problem. Paul at C5 recommended installing a 12 volt to 12 volt dc converter, which they provided. I’m beginning to think maybe this is the issue. He also suggested it may be a jetting problem. Has anyone had to re jet their carbs? Seems unlikely that this would be the problem. At this point, I’m thinking about chucking the whole thing, and taking the loss. Back to a Dyna. Even though they only last a year or two on this bike. Never had issues like this with any other ignition I’ve had. Very frustrating....

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:43 pm
by millerdog
It’s a 76 GL1000. Stock air cleaner. Aftermarket exhaust that is pretty much straight through, with baffles. I have less than a half volt drop from the battery to the coils. I’m running the entire thing on a separate circuit straight off the battery, as per Pauls suggestion. I’m also running a 12 volt to 12 volt dc converter as per Paul’s suggestion to guard against voltage spikes, which I understand are the number one cause of these ignitions failing. I’ve tried various plug gap settings too. Nothing seems to change. I’ve never had this problem before, until I installed this ignition. Between the ignition, and carb rebuild, I’ve got almost a grand into this thing now. I’m about to start pulling hair! LOL

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:52 pm
by CYBORG
My c5 is on a 78. It is a complete system. Coil wires and triggers. I use. Plugs at .26 thousands. Pulesto the end of the tach numbers. I would look else are for the problem.

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 6:12 pm
by millerdog
At this point, I don’t know where else to look. It pulled past redline with every ignition I’ve ever used. Until this one. Carbs are freshly rebuilt. New plugs. What else could it be? I’m racking my brains, and I can’t think of anything else except for this ignition. It’s even on its own switched dedicated circuit.

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 6:27 pm
by Track T 2411
Interesting that you say a Dyna ignition only lasts a year or two. I know you've bypassed much of the stock wiring per Paul's advice, but what is the condition of the rest of the wiring harness, reg/ rectifier, stator, connections, grounds? Electricity can do some funky stuff, especially to electronics if there are other issues.

I'm no expert on carbs either, but most everything I've read suggests that the only time re-jetting these carbs would be necessary is when there is significant changes to the air filter/ air box...

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:08 pm
by millerdog
Everything else seems to be in good order. Charging system is functioning perfectly as far as I can tell. Like I said, I’ve not ever had this problem with any other ignition I’ve used. I believe the problem with dynas, is the heat. Always a module will burn out. Never the same one either.

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:44 pm
by Whiskerfish
It acted the same before the carb rebuild?

Admittedly I don't know much about the C5, is the advance function the same mechanical device or programmed electronics?

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:54 pm
by millerdog
Yep. It acted exactly the same before the rebuild. I kinda knew I was wasting my money on a rebuild, but I wanted to eliminate that possibility. It had an electronic advance. Not mechanical. 4 different maps to choose from. It acts the same with any of the maps. Always busts out at around 6 grand.

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:07 pm
by socrace
For something easy to check, I would try throwing a good quality timing light on it and see if spark is getting lost or advance scattering in that 5-6k rpm range you're seeing.
Also, could try contacting Power Arc Ignitions directly (they make the electronics). Among other things, these units have a programmable rev limit function, which could be coming in too early for whatever reason?

Re: C5 ignition

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:45 pm
by Whiskerfish
If you have all the parts the easiest thing to do is revert to points and see if the problem goes away.