Author |
Message |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 01:06 am: |
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I was out on a great two day ride to Deep South Texas and along the border, the bike was humming, and all of a sudden it quit at 70 mph, 15 miles from Laredo. I learned when I called the Laredo HD dealer, who used to be a Buell dealer, how some dealers, like the non-motorcyclists at Laredo HD, consider Buells lepers. They would not help at all! I begged the low life's, told them I was a HOG member, owned a Harley, and needed help badly. It was 98 degrees in the Laredo area today. Anyway, after four hours on the side of the road I'm in a Laredo motel trying to figure out how to get the bike back to the Houston area, 300 miles away. I'll call the extended warranty people tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. I have AAA Premier but AAA is close to worthless, all talk and crappy service, in my opinion after two very bad experiences with them, but that is just 100 miles for motorcycles. It's 200 for cars. My tech listened on the phone as I tried to start it and 'ventured' that it sounds like a fueling or ignition issue but he'd have to check it out. Da$n. |
Djohnk
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 01:46 am: |
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Man that sucks ... I'm in Edinburg, TX about 150 miles away. If I was closer I would come over with a bunch of tools etc. and try to help you troubleshoot. I even have that bluetooth dongle with the Android program to go with it. If you manage to get the bike around here I will help you out as much as I can. I know Mission has a Harley dealership also. I will PM you with my email and phone number. |
Xbimmer
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 03:59 am: |
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Unplug the BAS (bank angle sensor) and see whether it runs. I'm assuming it still spins the starter but no fire correct? If the BAS has failed (mine did once) you'll get no spark or fuel, with it unplugged the bike should run but with a CEL lit. |
Reepicheep
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 08:30 am: |
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It's a shame that dealer won't support you. I wonder if they really won't work on the bike, or just don't want to deal with the extended warranty. You could try a local independent dealer, but this may be a hard time of the year to get scheduled. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 09:04 am: |
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Thanks guys. I'm waiting for 8 am Mountain Time to call the warranty people. That sounds like a good possibility Xbimmer. Sadly, I have no idea where it is. Easy to get to and unplug? The BAS just fails running down the road? I rode right past Edinburg yesterday Djohnk! I have great timing. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 09:15 am: |
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BAS is under the seat at the very back by the tail light and aux outlet. Near the seat latch. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 09:29 am: |
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Rat, there are two plugs there that I can see. One on the back of the seat latch assembly, with three wires, and one way back with two wires. I don't want to pull the wrong plug. Which one? any precautions? Thanks So Much! |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 09:37 am: |
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Which plug guys? Anyone know? Ths. |
Nillaice
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 09:48 am: |
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the BAS has UP embossed on it on the top of it and it's held in place with 2 screws on rubber bushings. http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/ 628831.html?130374259 it should have a black, a green and a red wire |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 10:46 am: |
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3. 2 is your aux outlet. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 11:12 am: |
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How do I unplug it? Which part unplugs? I don't want to mess it up unplugging it and I can't see where the plug is. It it on the end facing the left side of the bike, perpendicular to the seat? (Message edited by Buellerxt on May 17, 2013) |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 11:40 am: |
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The end with the wires comes out of the box. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 11:52 am: |
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Have you done the simple things like checking the fuses, battery connections, grounds. Your original post explains that the bike engine quit and then you called for help but not that you did anything to troubleshoot the problem yourself. Any info regarding your methods to cure this problem yourself would help others here help diagnose why your bike quit running. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 11:59 am: |
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Checked battery connections and fuses. All good. Bike was running great and quit at speed. The BAS sounds like a likely culprit but I don' want to damage it taking it off. My home dealer tech, who knows, will call as soon as he returns. |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 01:21 pm: |
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If it's the BAS, cycling the switch off and back on should allow it to restart and run for at least a while. It won't fire a lick? (Message edited by Hughlysses on May 17, 2013) |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 01:24 pm: |
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Do lights come on and does fuel pump run when you turn ignition switch on? If nothing happens, could be a charging system problem (battery now dead). If lights come on but fuel pump doesn't run, could be BAS, fuel pump relay or pump itself. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 01:46 pm: |
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Sorry for not getting back on guys; I've been on the phone with tow companies, trailer companies, my dealer, etc. I really appreciate all of your input and help. My wife is headed down from Houston pulling a motorcycle trailer, 300 miles, but I'm still trying to pull the BAS in hopes of firing it up and turning her around. I'll let you guys know. Thanks. (Message edited by Buellerxt on May 17, 2013) |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:16 pm: |
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Okay guys, it is Not the BAS. I took the frame for the sensor off to get a better look at how to unplug it, unplugged it, and no fire. Lights come on, the bike tries to start, but no go. Forecast is for 104 degrees here today and it feels like it right now. I've always thought that Phoenix and Saudi Arabia were the two hottest places I've ever been but now they are joined by Laredo, Texas. I've been through here several times and it is a HOT place! Anyway, we'll tow it home. Thanks for trying to help. (Message edited by Buellerxt on May 17, 2013) |
Rwcfrank
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:18 pm: |
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mY vote is for heat related fuel pump failure, you werent by chance low on gas when it quit were you? |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 02:24 pm: |
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That's an interesting thought, frank. Ths. No, I had plenty of gas, But, several fuel stops earlier, in San Benito, Texas, after fighting Big winds coming down from Corpus, and surprisingly going on reserve at only 125 ish, I put 3.8 gallons in. It wasn't as hot then but I thought about that fuel pump not having gas on it. You could be right. Ths. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 03:06 pm: |
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Does the pump cycle at key-on? |
Uly_man
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 03:29 pm: |
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" My tech listened on the phone as I tried to start it and 'ventured' that it sounds like a fueling or ignition issue but he'd have to check it out." Unlike a old points and carb bike modern FI bikes are hard to fix over the phone/net as it could be anything. I should get it home and work on it then. Good luck. |
Etennuly
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 03:50 pm: |
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I would again check the battery connections. Over the years mine has twice done a heat induced loss of power due to the battery terminals loosing contact. If you can get your fingers on the cable ends, and move them at all with as much force as you can muster with your fingers, they are too loose. This kind of "quit while running" can be a lot of things. Mine also died while running at speed when a wire to the crank sensor wore through at the chin faring(below the right side crank cover). I fixed a friend's XB when his wire to the voltage regulator grounded out on a casting edge below the engine and above the muffler. My BAS failed twice, but every time it died the bike would restart after cycling the key. The ground wire connection on the front of the steering neck, in the center, behind the headlights can cause it. You can unplug the ecm harness plugs, and change the position of the wires there by twisting one turn in the harness at the plug, either tighter or looser, just to move the wires to a new juxtaposition in relation to where the wires have been crossing each other. With that kind of heat the wire insulation softens and the vibrations can wear them through into each other or to ground. |
Fltwistygirl
| Posted on Friday, May 17, 2013 - 07:06 pm: |
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Hope it turns out ok. We went thru similar drama with the x a couple years back...no fun. Turned out to be the ecm. Please keep us posted. B. |
Dr_greg
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 11:23 am: |
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I've followed your plight, and hearing that your wife is on the way to rescue you...boy, that sounds familiar! My '06 Uly stranded me on four straight rides, and Mrs. Greg had to rescue me every single time. That got very tiresome. So she expresses her condolences to Mrs. xt. --Doc |
Sharkguy
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 11:33 am: |
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I don't know if you have tried it but turn your key on and listen for the fuel pump priming. If it's not making any noise be sure and check the fuel pump fuse. Mine has done this a couple of times during the heat of summer. I finally ended up replacing the fuse with one of the next higher amperage and it hasn't reoccurred. Worth a shot if you haven't already checked. |
Uly_man
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 04:12 pm: |
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My two Ulys and 25k miles have broken down four times. Two recovered (belts) and two I was able to fix myself. Plus head stock wiring twice, two sets of wheel bearings, leaking wheel valve (what a pain they are) cores twice and three sensors (O2, IAT, side stand). I think thats all? At the end of the day you can not account for all things on any bike but it is a good idea to know your way around its parts and know what faults it could have. If your lucky it could be something simple like a damaged wire. The Uly does, however, have a habit of throwing up some mind killing faults. I know I have had them. |
Skifastbadly
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 06:33 pm: |
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When I got stranded in Missoula, which incidentally may have the best looking female bartenders I've ever seen.... wait, what was I going to say? Oh yeah...the Uly seems to be particularly vulnerable to hot weather. I was experiencing all kinds of weird fueling problems on that trip when it got hot in the afternoon, like upper 90s. They shop ended up replacing both the ECM and the fuel pump, which I suppose means they're not very good at diagnosis. One cause may have been that extreme heat makes the seat softer and allows it to sag onto the ECM. I also noticed that when I stopped the gas would be boiling in the frame, causing it to come out the overflow vent even if the tank was half empty. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 08:06 pm: |
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I guess I'm just lucky so far with my 06'. I rode home from Sturgis a few years back and the temp on Interstate 90 in South Dakota was 106 F and the Uly weathered that furnace just fine. That was a very hot ride. Once on I90 coming back another year from the Black Hills I saw a meteorite burn out in the middle of the day just north of my ride. Only time that I've seen one other than night time. If you haven't ever been out to the Black Hills then you really need to go. |
Buellerxt
| Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 09:03 pm: |
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I'm home guys and the Uly is in the shop. I hope to hear soon and I'll report back. My 'VERY' good wife pulled the trailer the 300 miles to Laredo and we headed back and got in at midnight. We were offered a free room by the EXCELLENT folks at the LaQuinta Inn, Laredo, after they let me stay in the room all day for no extra charge but we were ready to get home. Great, generous people. We brought the bike to the shop this morning and hopefully I'll know something by tomorrow or Tuesday. I have very good relations at Goe HD/Buell and feel confident. They are also an EBR dealer, with an 1190 on the floor. I thank you all for the fast replies and great thoughts and ideas. I'll definitely report back. Thanks. (Message edited by buellerxt on May 18, 2013) |
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