G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through February 12, 2014 » Cranking but no starting « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Haaken
Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2014 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I rode my bike two weekends ago, no problems. I go to start it today, cranks over but no firing. I pulled the plugs and they appear to be dry. I tried to check for spark and cannot see any. I checked all of the fuses in the fusebox in the subframe.

Any suggestions? I know the bike is fuel injected, so I am unsure if the dry plugs would be normal or not. Again, since I could not see a spark on the grounded plug im not sure also...There is a big bike event next week and I am planning on going. 2 bikes down at the moment, lol...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclonecharlie
Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2014 - 05:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When you first turn the key ON, do you hear the fuel pump cycle? If not look at that circuit first.I'm not a FI guy so if the pump is working your gonna need someone else to step in,,,Good luck.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Harleyelf
Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2014 - 09:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's either spark or fuel. Check for spark at night if you can't see clearly in the daylight. The plugs should have smelt like fuel if you cranked it over right before taking them out.

If it's spark, check the coil wires under the tank for 12v current with the key on and look for shorts to the frame, then look for cracks in the ECM, then smell the cam position sensor to see if it has failed.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Oldog
Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2014 - 10:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Lars, I have an X1, perhaps I can help

No visible spark, no fuel

both point at a number of possible problems, start simple.

what condition is the battery in?
when the battery gets weak it will turn over but not start,

battery ok?
cables tight?

ECM spy helps trouble shooting some of these issues

spark plugs good, wires,
coils produce spark?
fuel pump runs at power on?
plugs were dry,
has the fuel filter ever been changed,

lots of things to check try the easy stuff first.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kalali
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 08:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Make sure the ignition relay is OK.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Haaken
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 08:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So far as I can tell, the plugs seemed dry...I was unsure if with fuel injection you would see wet fuel on the plugs. I have never had anything FI not start before that didn't have a dead battery.

If my battery was a little low would it cause the injectors to not work properly? My bike has been a little hard starting lately and it could be that the battery is slowly going bad.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Harleyelf
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 10:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Did you try a squirt of starting fluid in the air cleaner? If it pops and then stops your issue is injectors or the injector firing circuit in the ECM or the wires to the injectors.

If you turn it over a few revolutions with the plugs removed there should be a distinct smell of gas.

These are the sort of issues that led me to install my carburetor on my S3.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclonecharlie
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Get the cables out and hook up the car battery.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Impala
Posted on Monday, January 06, 2014 - 11:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I agree start with the battery. On Harleys and Buells the battery could have enough juice to crank but not enough to get spark. Start there. On my X1 the next step was the ignition switch which is a common failure. With that problem though you would not hear the fuel pump cycle.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Haaken
Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - 06:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I will check out the battery. i unfortunately let my fiancé's friend borrow my battery charger and of course, the next day my bike won't start...Fingers crossed that is my problem.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Haaken
Posted on Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 10:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It was a low battery after all...i just assumed that since it was cranking I was good. Looks like I need. New battery.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Natexlh1000
Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 11:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The real brain melter is that time you realize that there is a particular amount of weak battery that allows the injectors to squirt and the engine to rotate but not hit the plugs.
From low to high here is the likely effects:

All the way dead = nothing at all/clickclickclick

sorta alive = cranking but not starting

a little more alive = cranking, squirting, still not starting, fouled plugs

good battery = starts in 10F
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Haaken
Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2014 - 11:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, I noticed that. I was thrown completely by the fact that it would crank over repeatedly...Im guessing push starting would NOT work with these bikes, lol.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Harleyelf
Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2014 - 12:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Light curb weight, high compression... if you try to bump start these bikes it will just lock the rear wheel up and drag it.

If you're really bold and have a buddy who can push your passenger peg with his foot until you are going 25 or so, you might be able to bump start. Not safe.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration