Accel: Buyer BEWARE!!
Accel’s inadequate coil application procedures threaten to destroy your motorcycles ignition system

 

After an unfortunate experience installing Accel Coils I sent the company the following:

July 14, 2004

 

Customer Service

Mr. Gasket Co.

10601 Memphis Ave. #12

Cleveland, OH 44144

 

If my experience is any indicator, I believe you have a very serious problem with your Accel motorcycle coil application procedures.

 

I purchased a set of Accel coils for my 2001 GSF1200 Suzuki.  The shop I purchased them from (Strick’s, Asheville NC 828-658-0239) was a bit uncertain as to  which coil would fit my bike, so I called 2 other shops in the area (MR Motorcycle, Asheville, NC  828-277-8600 & Waynesville Cycle Center, Waynesville, NC 800-648-5831) both told me my bike had a CDI ignition and required P-140404 coils.

 

My bike ran less than 15 minutes after installing these coils before #2-3 stopped firing. Unable to locate any problem with the installation I called your tech line (216-688-8300).  When I described the symptoms the tech immediately identified the problem as likely being the installation of the WRONG coils.  A simple ohm test confirmed his diagnoses.   Several diagnostic hours later I concluded that my bikes igniter unit ($479) had been destroyed.

  

After the fact I also checked with Dal-Kaw, (the only other 4 brand dealer in the area) Hendersonville, NC 828-692-7519.  They also incorrectly specified P-140404.

 

It appears that from the time I choose to install Accel coils my bike’s ignition system was doomed.

  

I am looking forward to hearing what you are planning to do to correct the inadequate application procedure your dealers seem to be following, as well as some compensation for the damage this caused me? Please put yourself in my shoes, let your conscious be your guide….

  

PLEASE correct this situation. Let me know what I can do to help.

 

As of August 8, 2004
Accel’s Response:  I received the following letter from Mr. Stasko, Marketing Manager for MR GASKET. The essence of his correspondence is that since MR GASKET is not legally responsible for the damage caused by Accel’s inadequate motorcycle coil application procedures, it is perfectly acceptable that one dealer was confused and three out of three (let me repeat that…THREE out of THREE) got the application WRONG. 

 His letter certainly left me with the impression that MR GASKET has little interest in customers benefiting from the products they purchase from Accel.

 

MR GASKET RESPONSE

 

Here’s my response:

 

August 6, 2004

 

Mike Stasko

Marketing Manager

Mr. Gasket

10601 Memphis Ave. #12

Cleveland, OH 44144

 

Dear Mr. Stasko,

I’m shocked that you would have me post your response “in its entirety” on http://www.motorcycleadventuremap.com/accel.htm. Your response certainly indicates Accel’s “limited” interest in having its products benefit those who purchase them.

Let’s recap: One dealer is confused, the other three out of three (let me repeat that, THREE out of THREE) get the application WRONG and you are throwing up “legalize” as the correct response!?!?  PAY ATTENTION, Accel has a problem.

 

Accel’s motorcycle coil application procedures are inadequate. Your application test yields .3 volts, the bike in question has CDI ignition.  THREE out of THREE dealers chose 140404 as the proper coil.  THREE out of THREE dealers were WRONG.  NO mention of an ohm compatibility test until I spoke to Accel’s help line technician.  If you do not have the authority (or the good sense) to fix this, please pass it on to someone who does.

I’m well aware of “possible damage caused by improper coil application”.  Exactly the reason I spoke to three different dealers before purchasing Accel coils. As I stated in my first letter…“It appears that from the time I choose to install Accel coils my bike’s ignition system was doomed.”

 

As to your “generous?” gesture of goodwill…the dealer I purchased Accel coils from provided me with the correct coils without hesitation.  I put less than 1,000 miles on them.  No improvement over stock coils, which I am quite happy to continue running.  I would much prefer to have the $169 for coils refunded along with the $479 for my cooked igniter.  You are welcome to have your coils back. 

 

http://www.motorcycleadventuremap.com/accel.htm  is up and gathering input from others who have had similar problems with Accel coils. I haven’t had time to contact all the relevant bullet boards, but I will start working on that, along with Search Engine placement, as soon as my presently demanding schedule allows.  Could be an interesting Web site.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Gary Dagiel

VERY disappointed customer

828-658-0239

smma@mindspring.com

200 Upper Herron Cove Road

Weaverville, NC 28787

 

 

cc: Customer Service

 

Had a problem with Accel? - share it with me and I will POST it here
Hopefully we can save others from the same disappointing results.
Maybe we can even get Mr Gasket / Accel to fix this!