Starting problems

[drbalazo]

I rode my dog just fine all day and got home for about 3 hours before wanting to ride again. It shut off about 200 feet away and started right up again before shutting off 20 feet later and now it doesn't want to start back up. It has a full tank of gas, so that can't be it. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[BigDogBro1]

Need more info.........
Does it crank over?
What LEDs are on when the key is on?
Battery voltage while not on charger?
Battery age?
Is it on a maintenance charger while not riding?

 

[drbalazo]

Yes it cranks just fine. LEDs on the tach or under seat? If under seat, a red one stays on while key in. While cranking, a yellow one comes on next to the red one. Don't know about the voltage. Battery is 3 months old. Since I use the bike daily, I don't hook it up to a battery tender.

 

[V]

Make sure you're gettin spark and also might want to pull the fuel bowl drain and make sure you're gettin fuel. If the fuel bowl has never been off I would say pull and clean. These are 2 simple things to start with. If neither of these then time for the smart guys to chime in like Big Dog Bro.

 

[drbalazo]

Where is the fuel bowl?

 

[Little-Boo]

Fuel bowl is the bottom of your Carb.:loony: :loony:. Are you sure your fuel petcock is on. Seem like all is working fine. Remove the Gas Cap see if it starts. Don't ride with the cap off.

Carlos

 

[drbalazo]

Yeah, fuel petcock is on all the way. I will try it without the gas cap on, but how would those benefit the starting process?

 

[aspen874]

I got it Carlos, the fuel on the lower left side has three positions, on off and reserve, make sure it is in the on position in order to get fuel. The reason you open the gas cap is to make sure it is venting properly

 

[RRRUFF]

When you switch the bike on and press the run button be sure the red led on the ignition module comes on. The ignition module is a little square, aluminum device about 3 1/2" X 4" X 3/4" that will light up when you hit the "run" button on the right hand control. Or you can check to see if you have spark at the spark plugs when turning over the engine. Anyway just something else to check.

 

[drbalazo]

The red light does blink as i turn the engine. The gas valve is on..still no starting.

 

[BadBrad]

Just for good measure, take a bright flashlight and shine into your tank. The liners inside the tank are bad to separate and may plug your petcock screen. I just re-lined my 05 and did my wife's 03 a couple of years ago.

 

[aspen874]

Danny, I agree with RRRuff, pull one of the plugs to see if you are getting spark, that will help narrow down the cause

 

[Big B]

While you are checking for spark, might as well put in new plugs. I was amazed that the plugs were the cause of my issues a couple years ago.

 

[drbalazo]

I will check on the spark as soon as someone can tell me how to do that, hehe...can someone tell me how?

 

[BadBrad]

1) pull front plug wire from plug
2) remove plug
3) insert removed plug back into plug wire and let hang next to/against the motor to ground
4) crank bike and look for arc on end of plug.
5) replace plug and repeat steps for rear plug

 

[drbalazo]

Ok..there is no spark on either plug...what does this mean?

 

[BadBrad]

Ok..there is no spark on either plug...what does this mean?

You're fucked

 

[BadBrad]

First thing I would suspect would be the coil. Did you hold the plug against the cylinder while turning over the motor? If you didn't, it won't ground to spark. You can hold it with a pair of pliers so you don't shock yourself. Last resort, hold the plug in hand, turn motor over and if you piss in your pants, you have spark.

 

[drbalazo]

Yeah, I held it against the cylinder and there was no spark. Now what ?

 

[Dakotabos]

If you have an auto parts place close by go there and get a tester. Good thing to have in your tool box and cheap
I have this one

that way you can make sure you have or dont have spark. If the light on the thunder heart is lighting up while cranking it might be bad coil but usually its not intermittent

ps damn thats a big picture