| Author | Message | ||
     Ikeman |
I started writing a really long post about this but I'm at work and don't have the time right now. Maybe I'll post the long version later. Here's the bullet-point version: - Brand new Uly (just picked it up Friday morning) with 78 miles on the odo - 50+ F and raining on my way home from work about 5:00pm - About half way home the motor just quit at 50 mph on a 4-lane highway - All electrics seemed okay - It will crank but will not start - I've got about a half tank of fuel - No loose connections or plug wires that I can see - Use my 1 phone call to BRAG - 2 hours later the Uly gets a ride on a flatbed and I get one in my brother's minivan - Dealership closed so I won't know anything until Monday | ||
| Ikeman |
I just read my own post (imagine that!) and it's a little confusing on 2 points: 1. It has 78 miles on it now. It had 8 when I took it home. 2. This happened yesterday (Saturday) evening. | ||
| Lowflyer |
No worries, Ikeman. It's probably something simple. | ||
| Az_m2 |
That really sucks, having bike problems is a big pain in the ass. Don't get discouraged, this is very unusual and it's probably something that will be easy to fix. You're going to really enjoy the 12X when you get a chance to put some miles on it. | ||
| Az_m2 |
Also, whenever I get a new bike, I try not to form opinions until I put some serious miles on it. I figure about 5,000 miles and a couple of nice long multi-day rides and everything should be sorted out. | ||
| Galloper |
Sounds familiar... that happend to my XB12S two years ago. Blown fuse  | ||
| Ikeman |
I'm not getting down on the bike, the dealer, etc. Just wanted to relate my tale of very unexpected woe. I'm just wondering whether this is related to the wet conditions. If so, that'll need rectified because I don't plan on leaving it parked just because it's wet outside. On the upside - I really liked the first 70 miles... | ||
| Cygnus_x1 |
When I picked up my Uly, they started it up took it out in the parking lot. It sat there for a few hours while we did the paper work. went out to ride the bike home and it wouldnt start. I thought WTF! So they changed the plugs and it fired right up and ran fine. | ||
| Ikeman |
I'm hoping it's something as simple as that. I was thinking about the mentions of fouled plugs on this forum while I was looking things over but I had no tools with me, I'm unfamiliar with the bike and it was raining pretty good. Just more of life's lessons learned... | ||
| Pupu |
"Sounds familiar... that happend to my XB12S two years ago. Blown fuse " yeah, maybe the fuse to the fuel pump. | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
You should get rid of it before you experience any more similar problems. How much ya want for the POS? LOL (teasing) | ||
| Ikeman |
Called the shop as soon as they opened this morning. They unloaded the bike, the tech switched on the ignition, thumbed the starter and it fired right up! This really makes me believe it's something moisture related since the bike sat in the towing company's garage until this morning and dried out. They're gonna run diagnostics on it and let me know if it threw any codes. I sure as hell hope so. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My 95 Saturn Sport coupe has done that 4 times in 140,000 miles. I am blaming kids playing with old Soviet EMP weapon satellites. | ||
| Lowflyer |
I thought those satellites had trained monkeys on board. | ||
| Windrider |
Ikeman, Your story reminds me of my first ever new vehicle: a Jeep Wrangler. I bought it brand new, took it up to the mountains for the first time. The first bump I hit on a gravel road and it dies. Completely dead. No fuel delivery. I found a blown fuse, replaced it and the that fuse smoked instantly. Called the Jeep Roadside Assistance and they sent a tow truck out to get it.... cost them a lot I think! Jeep dealer found a problem with cable routing and fixed it. Moral of the story is that I have still have the Jeep 125K miles later and it has been extremely reliable. The only time it sent me walking was in the first 50 miles. I am sure that your new bike can get sorted out by a competent mechanic. All things are better once they are broken in. Happy Trails. | ||
| Swampy |
I thought Jeep fuses were supposed to have been replaced with 22 shells? jeepwave.com | ||
| Birdmanrh |
$10 says it is the battery connection..... | ||
| Snub13 |
Rich, That sucks! I've been caught in the rain twice now (also high on the suckometer) and I haven't had any problems. This has to be some sort of fluke. Keep the faith. | ||
| Ikeman |
Tim, It's all good. I can tolerate the rain (just have to be nice and smooooooth). Dave's been trying to track down what it might be. There were no codes in memory and they haven't found anything else yet. They have had it fail to start for them while it's been in so at least they know I'm not nuts (about this anyway). They put it on the dyno yesterday and did a simulated road test. Ran "flawlessly" - his words. They're scratching their heads a little at this point. They'll figure it out. | ||
| Ikeman |
Update on progress if anyone is interested. Talked to the service manager (Dave) today and he spoke with the factory yesterday. Turns out there's a pressure test for the fuel pump that is not documented in their procedures. The pump is supposed to maintain pressure (I don't know what psi) for around 15 minutes after shut off. They tried it on mine - it lost about 10 psi within 2 minutes. Apparently it's a bad valve in the fuel pump. Dave called the factory to try to get a new fuel pump expedited and expects it tomorrow. I'm glad they found what appears to be the problem. I know the dealership is not a sponsor here but I would like to put a good word in for them in case any of you besides Tim (Snub13) are in the area. My experience with Cerini HD-Buell in Rostraver , PA has been excellent. Dave and his staff in service have been professional, polite and he refused to quit trying to identify the problem. He apologized that he couldn't get the bike back to me sooner but he wants to make sure it's fixed properly rather than rush it back to me. Since the bike started right up when it arrived at the shop they could've just called and told me it was fine. But they haven't and I just wanted to mention it. It's easy to complain and criticize but too often good work is overlooked. Blake if this post is unacceptable because of the non-sponsor mention please edit or delete as you see fit. | ||
| Stevem123 |
It's good to know there are good guys out there trying to support the product. Too far from me here in Cali though. My guys have been OK and are ready to serve but they are also very busy, understaffed, and never have the dang parts in stock.... So I do most of the stuff needing done myself. Thanks for the report!  BC Steve | ||
| Court |
Ikeman: That's GREAT news. . . I think it stands on it's "good of the cause" merits. Always good to hear of dedicated dealers doing good work. Thanks for the info, Court | ||
| Blake |
MAJOR Kudos to Cerini HD-Buell in Rostraver , PA! Rich (Ike Man), Thanks for that great post! I hope it is indicative of more great things to come from all Buell dealerships. I'm with Court. Your stated concern wrt the BadWeB non-sponsor policy does beg for me to try once again to address that issue as it seems to continue to confuse some folks here, the issue of non-sponsor promotion. So here I go.  First and foremost, it is never ever even the slightest bit remotely problematic to report here the details concerning resolution of a first hand problem or the related laudable acts of your dealership or performance shop or aftermarket vendor here in gaining that resolution. BadWeB wants EVERYONE to know that such content is encouraged, applauded, and very much welcomed here. What you just did is a shining example of exactly the type of content we like to encourage on BadWeB. So again, THANK YOU! What is not welcome and what you and some others may be confused about is the unwelcome disingenuous promotion of non-sponsors or non-sponsor advertising. BadWeB frowns on that kind of stuff here, mainly to protect our one and only source of funding to keep the place up and running, our paying sponsors and the value of that sponsorship. One scenario is just marketing and/or advertising and is unwelcome on behalf of other than BadWeB sponsors; the other, what you did, is thoughtfully sharing details about a first-hand issue/problem and its resolution, giving credit even praise along the way to those who deserve it; that has been and ALWAYS will be welcome here on BadWeB. The best illustrative example I can think of transpired very recently. A very disgruntled former sponsor here has been openly hostile to me personally, to other BadWeB sponsors, I wish everyone could recognize that.  Sorry, I digress. I do hope my words and example help clear up the confusion. Sure is great to hear that you have a competent and caring service manager. That is a very good thing. We definitely need to prominently file that fuel pump diagnostic test for future reference. Thank you so much for sharing that information. (Message edited by blake on March 22, 2006) | ||
| Jim_sb |
Blake, I just want you to know that I have NO IDEA what you're talking about. I guess I must block out those kinds of threads. But you wrote a really nice post about whatever it is that I know nothing about. Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Blake |
You already know WAY too much, so that is okay. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Ikeman |
Been away from the computer all weekend. I'll post a detailed update when I get the time. Short version - I picked the bike up Friday 3/17 and it's been running good so far. | ||
| Snub13 |
Ike, Glad to hear everything is taken care of and was handled professionally. I never expected anything less from Cerinis'. I've only had the normal service stuff but they seem like true pros. Blake, I'm with Jim sb but I'll take your word for it. | ||
| Ikeman |
I'm so busy with work that I still don't have the time to do a proper write-up on this but I did want to give an update. The fuel pump test that was performed turned out to not be an issue. I talked to the service manager before he had gotten back with the factory on the results and he had assumed it was a problem. Apparently, the drop in pressure seen immediately after shut down is not a problem. So, fuel pump was okay. I was told they pretty much went over every electrical connector on the bike, changed the plugs, charged the battery, refueled it and went through the diagnostics (multiple times). The only thing that was out of whack in any of this was the TPS reading around 7.2 - that was reset to spec. Other than the first day in the shop (before the TPS reset) they had no further problems with the bike starting nor running but since no codes had been thrown they gave it a thorough going over which I appreciated very much. Bottom line at this point is it looks like a simple TPS calibration issue. Now, what actually caused it to go out of calibration remains a mystery at this point. Blake, your explanation above makes things perfectly clear about the sponsor/non-sponsor postings. That's good to hear. I did let the dealership know about this forum but I don't know if anyone has been on. I also let them know that I posted my compliments on the way they have handled my problem. | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Still betting in was a battery connection.  Since they take the battery loose to do any work they usually solve the problem without knowing it. It's good that your bike is working, have fun! |
