Bike won't start

SuperTen

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I'm currently in Villavieja on the edge of the Tatacoa desert in Colombia.
No problems until now. Fill the tank last night with Premium (Extra in Colombia) before arriving in Villavieja. Bike was parked all night and this morning started fine at first try. Went about 2 miles and stopped for breakfast. 20 minutes later started fine again.
Went about 3 miles out of town and stopped for photos. Switched the bike off.
4 or 5 minutes later turned the ignition on, waited for the sweep and cranked it, no start. Tried a few more times and no luck. Cranks fine, battery is fine and has almost a full tank.
Luckily I was at the top of a hill, turned around and rolled it down and attempted to start while rolling but no luck.
At the bottom of the hill there was a hotel and that's where I'm now. Have checked all the fuses, all good. Cranks fine but no start.
I have tried cranking with WOT but still no sign.

It's about 90 degrees here and I did smell gas. Bike has been parked now for a few hours but just tried and still no start.
What to do now?
 

Nikolajsen

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I am sure it cranks fine, but I still would get soem kind of charger on it, and try againg in a few hours, and with WOT.
Could be the sparkplugs got to wet...
Or the battery is a little weak...as you probaly already know, all kind of strange problems have been notet, when battery is a little weak, even if it cranks fine.
 

bnschroder

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Water in the gas? Would sink to the bottom and then prevent starting. Would explain why no start despite cranking or bump start attempt.

You would have to drain some from the gas line until there is gas again
 

SuperTen

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One more thing I would try. I bump started it once while on a ride, before I had a chance to change the Battery. Roll it down hill ( if possible) let the clutch out in first gear with the bike turned on. Faster and easier. More chance of it starting.
I said I did that on my post, tried it at least 3 times, once in first gear and twice in second gear but nothing.
I even let it roll down in 2nd gear with the ignition on of course and I thought it was about to start but nothing. I then stopped in front of a hotel which is where I'm now. Didn't want to continue since there's nothing out here
 

SuperTen

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Water in the gas? Would sink to the bottom and then prevent starting. Would explain why no start despite cranking or bump start attempt.

You would have to drain some from the gas line until there is gas again
But it already started fine twice today as I described in my post. If there was water I would have had problems starting this morning, no?
 

SuperTen

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Then the fuel is the likely gremlin. Get it to the top of the hill. Let it sit for 2 or 3 hours. You can call for a tow after one hour. And give it one last bump.
There's no way I can put the bike at the top of the hill in 95 degree desert heat to try to jump start. It was already a pain to push it a slight uphill to the hotel where I'm now.
 

SuperTen

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Call for a tow. Rest regroup. Have a coke. Try to get a charge on it.
That's the problem, there's really no one nearby with cable or charger. Might have to call a tow from more than one hour away.
 

SuperTen

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Just had someone come over with cables, connected to a car battery with the car running and the bike cranks strong but still no start
I'm thinking there's more to it than I can figure out. Tomorrow morning taking it to a Yamaha place in Neiva
 

WJBertrand

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Since you mentioned smelling gas, it sounds like it flooded and perhaps has now fouled the plugs. Try cranking it WOT with the EFI fuse removed. This should help clear the excess fuel. Then put the fuse back in and try again to start it WOT. If that still does not work try changing/cleaning the plugs. They're a pain to access but it could be a cheap fix. I had a car once that refused to start, cranked fine, but no hint at starting. After trying a lot of things I simply tried changing the plugs since I couldn't think of anything else - VROOOM! Started right up after that. The old plugs looked a little dark but I was frankly surprised they evidently wouldn't fire. I think if the engine doesn't start right away, continued cranking just floods and fouls the plugs.
 

bnschroder

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But it already started fine twice today as I described in my post. If there was water I would have had problems starting this morning, no?
I wonder if the 5 miles you rode since this morning are just what was left in the system before the bad gas got into the injectors, but I am definitely not an expert. I just find it hard to believe that 4 plugs all died at the same time. Flooding would be my other guess
 

SuperTen

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I wonder if the 5 miles you rode since this morning are just what was left in the system before the bad gas got into the injectors, but I am definitely not an expert. I just find it hard to believe that 4 plugs all died at the same time. Flooding would be my other guess
I filled the tank more that 50km (a little over 30 miles) away yesterday. It was running fine until this morning. I don't think it's bad gas related
 

SuperTen

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When you first turn on the ignition, and before cranking, do you hear the fuel pump run for 4-5 seconds?
That's the weird part, I hear a faint sound but I think it should be louder. I'm starting to believe the fuel pump went but at the same time I do smell gas like it's flooded, WTF
 

gv550

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The fuel pump is quite loud, if you don't hear it cycle on and off then that's likely a problem. Check the fuses and relay, and maybe tap the fuel pump in case it is just stuck. Also check the pump electrical connection.
 

SuperTen

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The fuel pump is quite loud, if you don't hear it cycle on and off then that's likely a problem. Check the fuses and relay, and maybe tap the fuel pump in case it is just stuck. Also check the pump electrical connection.
Fuses are all ok. there's a relay? will have to look where it is and the fuel pump too.
I can do things but don't know much where things are on the bike
 

gv550

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This is the relay. With my finger on it I can feel it switch on as I turn the ignition on and feel it click off after 4 seconds. I can also hear it switching on and off.
The fuel pump is in the bottom right of the fuel tank.image.jpeg
 

EricV

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The fuel pump is in the tank. Have to pull the tank and drain it to get access to the sock filter on the fuel pump, should you need to.

Take a breath and relax. When the engine is flooded the compression is too low due to fuel running down the cylinder walls. You most likely have the classic hard start issue. It typically comes from very short rides where the bike doesn't fully warm up and then on a subsequent start it floods.

Pulling the EFI fuse as WJBertrand said, then crank it until it pops. Put the fuse back in and make sure you have turned the key off, kill switch off, then key on, kill switch to run, crank it normally and it should fire up. If you need help to find the EFI fuse, let us know.

Yes, it's possible you have a bad fuel pump or something else has happened. But it's less likely.

You haven't told us how many miles are on the bike or if you have ever replaced the CCT.
 

SuperTen

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I see you have a '12 model. How many miles are on it? Have you upgraded your cam chain tensioner? Could it have slipped timing?
You know, I think you have hit it spot on. I did have it changed at 48K miles just before I left on this trip and I now have 57K. I did hear a noise yesterday and this morning while the engine was running but couldn't tell what it was. I think the dealer F'ed up just like they did the clutch reservoir seal when they did the brake and clutch oil change. I had them do everything needed and just to be safe I told them to change the cam chain tensioner.
They nicked the seal on the clutch reservoir and I almost lost the clutch in Missouri while crossing the USA. Managed to do a quick fix and when I got to Las Vegas had a brand new seal installed. Had to wait for Las Vegas because no one had it and I had it ordered and shipped to LV so I could install in a week as I was passing by.
I think the dealer F'ed up the tensioner too.
I'm having it transported to a Yamaha dealer an hour away from here. I doubt they have ever worked on a Super Tenere so that's going to be another problem :(
 

SuperTen

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The fuel pump is in the tank. Have to pull the tank and drain it to get access to the sock filter on the fuel pump, should you need to.

Take a breath and relax. When the engine is flooded the compression is too low due to fuel running down the cylinder walls. You most likely have the classic hard start issue. It typically comes from very short rides where the bike doesn't fully warm up and then on a subsequent start it floods.

Pulling the EFI fuse as WJBertrand said, then crank it until it pops. Put the fuse back in and make sure you have turned the key off, kill switch off, then key on, kill switch to run, crank it normally and it should fire up. If you need help to find the EFI fuse, let us know.

Yes, it's possible you have a bad fuel pump or something else has happened. But it's less likely.

You haven't told us how many miles are on the bike or if you have ever replaced the CCT.
Sorry, I should have mentioned I have 57K miles now but did have the CCT changed before I started the trip at 48k miles.
As I said on my previous reply, I think the dealer F'up on this too. Read my previous reply.
If they did F'up and I guess I will find out when the mechanic check it I will name the dealer that's close to my home and where I bought the bike :mad:
 
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