No spark on 1 & 4 coil?

Just bought a 1989 XJ600 and It's not sparking on 1 & 4 cylinders, but is fine on 2 & 3. I have swapped the coil feed wires from the 2 & 3 coil that is fine and is giving a spark but still nothing on 1 & 4? In fact I can't get a spark at any of the plugs if I just swap the feed wires over?
I don't have a manual yet, but wandered if any of you guys know a simular problem? Could it be an igniter box or something like that??

 

If I read your post right, you put the feed from the good coil onto the other & you got spark at the plugs ?
If so, look at the pick up coils, if they are ok, then maybe the TCI.

 

I think you can do a couple of things.

A simple check:
Remove the tank and swap the Coil Plug-in's to the Harness.
If the problem shifts from 1&4 -to- 2&3 = bad Coil.

The problem is NOT miles.
The Problem is AGE.

If the Coils are 30 years old. Get rid of them!
I'm re-doing my Maxim. It's time.
I've done Coil Surgery and bought Ebay Coils, ... but eventually it gets to the point where ... "You got to stick a fork in them ... 'cause they're done"!

Used Coils.
Coil Surgery to replace aged wires and caps.
New Coils.

Check with the xj4ever parts.

They have DYNA'a and ::: Time-saving Installation Brackets :::

 

Hi steddy,

I have the same problem but with the 2 and 3 coil. My loom was a real rats nest from previous owners so i've gone backed to basics to isolate the fault, pulled out everything apart from the ignition circuit, changed the 1+4 input from the TCI to the 2+3 coil and got a spark. I tested the pick up coils using a resistance test as specified in the haynes manual and have concluded its the TCI. Have one on order from a breaker but i think I'm going for one of those aftermarket ones from NZ, 203 dollars. The coils are only a few years old as the last owner replaced them but i'm considering doing them too.

If we combined TCI's then we might get a spark on all 4!

 

You should try "Trimming-back" the Spark Plug wire a few millimeters. Or, if they have already been clipped, "Stuffing the core with a solid copper wire to insure a good connection to the Spark Plug Cap.

The GROUND Wire from a length of Household Circuit Wiring makes a very good substitute CORE when inserted in the Plug Wire as far-in as you can manage to insert it.

Bear in mind.
Coil Trouble is a Common Issue.
The AGE of the Part, alone, makes it vulnerable to breaking-down.
You can get some extra miles out of the Coil by doing the infamous "Coil Surgery" and installing some High Quality Plug Wires.

Search: Coil Surgery
A few hours with a Dremel and some Black Epoxy Resin can add some life to intermittent Coils.