Definitely been awhile since I've been on here... and now I've returned to the rainy NW, and have a pursuant problem :P
I had the bike out for a good hour's worth of riding in steady rain and road mist... I'm sure everything got thoroughly soaked (I did!). Ran fine for the ride (I even turned it off a couple of times and restarted it), but since I got it home and dried it off in the garage, it hasn't started for me, and it's been almost a week.
What could I have make the beast with two backsed to make it do that? My feeble mechanical brain came up with "maybe the plugs are wet...?", and so I had them out and dried them off... wet with gas from the multiple non-starts, but that's all I could tell.
Anyone have any better ideas?
*Edit: Bike is an injected 750
More information is needed. Do the gauges sweep and the idiot lights come on? Does the starter turn over the engine? Can you hear the fuel pump prime?
My bad. Gauges sweep, pump primes, engine cranks happily away... but doesn't catch. Even tried bump starting it awhile back... no dice. :) and yes, the cut-off switch is in "run".
OK, your next step is to check for spark. Shade tree method - Insert an insulated screwdriver into the spark plug hold the screwdriver about 1/4'' from ground and crank engine. If you get healthy, blue spark, good! Clean or replace plugs. If not, make sure the wires to the coils are connected. Still no start? Get back to us for more info.
Will do, thanks for the reply.
if you have a harbor freight nearby, pick up one of these to check spark
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4424 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4424)
put it inline and it will light up if there is spark and proper ground, but it won't tell you how much spark, just if there is any.
Or one of these, commonly available, the first one can even be a DYI project.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2461-k-d-tools-2757.aspx (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2461-k-d-tools-2757.aspx)
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx)
a friend had the same issue, pull the ECU plugs (2) and check for water.....dried it out and started right up.
Quote from: howie on September 28, 2009, 05:55:49 AM
Or one of these, commonly available, the first one can even be a DYI project.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2461-k-d-tools-2757.aspx (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2461-k-d-tools-2757.aspx)
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx)
the second one is handy for testing relative spark strength
I've heard many issues on newer bikes where the throttle position sensor can fail after a good soaking. I've been through downpoors without a problem, but maybe something to check.
Not to be insulting but it has gas right? Gas on plugs is not indicative of the bike having enough gas to run...
Thanks for all the suggestions.
RB - where are these ECU plugs located?
gage - Uh, I think so... ;D I guess I'll go check right now.
Quote from: RogueMnstr on September 28, 2009, 03:35:56 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions.
RB - where are these ECU plugs located?
gage - Uh, I think so... ;D I guess I'll go check right now.
ECU is usually near the battery, depends on the model. download the parts catalogue for your bike and find it.
Quote from: ducatiz on September 29, 2009, 05:45:18 AM
ECU is usually near the battery, depends on the model. download the parts catalogue for your bike and find it.
under the tank, should be two large locking multiple pin socket type plugs.
Was it out of gas? ;D
After riding in a very hard rain, the moisture managed to corrode my battery terminals enough to cause a power delivery issue. It could turn over, but had a very weak spark. I cleaned the connections at the battery and the bike fired right up.
JM
i don't think one rain would do that.
check the wire itself, i had corrosion so bad on the positive leg that the corrosion worked its way deep into the wire. cleaning was a temporary fix as it would come back after a week or so until i replaced the positive lead.
good luck
RB
Quote from: gage on October 02, 2009, 04:27:09 PM
Was it out of gas? ;D
Naw, my plug wires/boots were the culprit. I knew they were weak to begin with, but then I left the bike for about a year, and upon returning forgot that I'd determined that already [roll] Threw some TPO-sourced (MSD 8.5mm) wires in, and it's a new bike.
Quote from: RogueMnstr on November 11, 2009, 10:52:04 PM
Naw, my plug wires/boots were the culprit. I knew they were weak to begin with, but then I left the bike for about a year, and upon returning forgot that I'd determined that already [roll] Threw some TPO-sourced (MSD 8.5mm) wires in, and it's a new bike.
rub down the insides with electrolytic gel or light bulb grease. it will keep the rubber new and gives a watertight seal.
Iz, coat the inside of the plug boots, or the coil boots as well?
Quote from: RogueMnstr on November 15, 2009, 03:34:13 PM
Iz, coat the inside of the plug boots, or the coil boots as well?
all of it.
you can slather it on the plug ceramic part as well as the coil. also where the wire boot sits on the wires.
you can even put it on the metal connector parts (the bulb grease) but make sure to seat them well so you get a good connection. bulb grease is non-resistant to current but you want to make sure to get a good metal to metal connection. however, if you apply it correctly to the outer parts you don't need to.
Awesome, thanks for the info!