Hello everyone newbie here...I bought my xt660 x back in July this year 2013 its a 2nd hand 07 plate in Ipswich, Suffolk UK and have had no problems and have really enjoyed the bike until I got it serviced a few days ago, when I noticed that the starting process seemed to have changed, turned over for longer like it was struggling to start, this was intermittent but would gradually get worse coughing and spluttering from the exhaust and then sounded like there was some mini back firing as well, but it would eventually start if I kept trying. Well today it wont start at all now, so checked the ignition lights to see if there were any errors and the yellow engine warning light stays on with the red temp coming on for a short time and then goes out. I did some online searches and found the info on how to get into the diags mode - so followed these instructions and went to d61: and it shows code 30 which I think means this is the problem 30 : Coil 1 is activated 5 times per second.
Does this code / wording mean any thing to you guys ?

Thanks in advance hope its not to serious ??

Had been emailing Kev a few months back as I had purchased the fuel mod which has made the bike even better - Thanks Kev

Cheers
Dean

Firsty: to XT660.com!

In the diagnostic mode D61 it shows the fault code history, faults which have happened and been corrected (empty if there are none or they've been erased). If 30 is showing here that tells you that the bike has overturned at some point and the tip over sensor has triggered and been reset. The bike does not start at all with fault code 30, it wouldn’t have caused the rough running and a gradual drop in performance you describe.

In diagnostic mode you scroll through diagnostic codes (the various functions to tests sensors and suspected faults); these are NOT fault/error codes. D30 which you mention is the test procedure for the ignition coil, not a fault code indicating a faulty coil.

Don’t be confused (easily done) between fault code and diagnostic code. Fault codes are displayed in the dash (not in diag mode) with ignition on and when engine trouble light is showing. Is there a fault code on the dash?

From the symptoms you describe, it does sound like an ignition fault (plug, HT lead or coil). This would show up (for a coil fault) as an error code of 33 in conjunction with the yellow engine trouble light showing and the bike will not start.

It is fairly well documented that XTs can be prone to ignition problems when coils and HT leads get damp/wet. Start by drying out the coil and lead, fit a known good plug and see how you go from there. The HT side of the ignition can be protected in future with silicone grease. If that doesn’t fix it, then you will have to perform various checks on the coil using the diagnostic D30 test, a multimeter and maybe a gap tester.

On the other hand, if it’s only been like this since it was serviced, then it may be a smart move to take it back and let them get it sorted!

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I had a very similar thing this summer, changed the plug & problem solved. The old plug looked fine, but obviously wasn't. Hope it helps, a cheap fix if it does. I now carry a spare.

Thanks for your replies and the kind xt660 welcome, I forgot to say that on Friday I rode it home in the rain so you could be right with wet ht leads ? The reason I think you may be right is that I left it in the garage all weekend and tried starting it on Sunday afternoon and it started first time - Had it dried out ? but also have to agree with plug possibility, as its not firing, turning over but no ignition, I will try a new plug and come back to you with the results, could it be running too rich with the fuel mod ??

Thanks guys - helped me a lot - just understanding what's going on .....
Cheers
Dean