MISFIRE DURING START
Service Bulletin: PL-1B
Date of Issue: 12/28/06 Supercedes SB: PL-1, 1/2005, Kickbacks
Subject: Misfire During Start
Models Affected: All Plasma CD Ignition systems prior to 12/2004
Models Not Affected: Plasma II+ systems version "PMS"
Plasma III systems version "U3+","A","A1", or "B"
Plasma CDI systems shipped after December of 2004, have shown no tendency to misfire or cause a kickback during start. This includes the current Plasma III versions "A" and "A1" and the current Plasma II Plus version "PMS".
On earlier Plasma CDI systems version "U3" or "U3+", misfiring is completely avoided if the key switch is paused for 1 second in the "Both" position before engaging the starter. Toggle switch operated systems have no tendency to misfire, (the issue was triggered by the rapid "on" / "off" / "on" sequence of the key switch motion).
All other systems can be modified to eliminate any possibility of misfiring. Contact LSE for further details. Unmodified systems shipped before 12/04, can misfire if the supply voltage drops below 8.5 volts repeatedly during cranking. This can only occur if the starter draws excessive current and the battery is not sized for that current requirement.
If you are using a small battery, we recommend using a wound field starter, as they draw less than 1/2 the current of a permanent magnet starter.