No start

[SmokinRZ]

I can't believe this, I had the recall done on my 2012 that was acting up last month (high/low idle) then did a 2,700 mile trip over six days with no issues at all. I just put on a new front tire Saturday and removed the non operating power outlet on the dash as I'm planning on replacing it with a UBS port. I went to start it to try out the new front tire and it just turns over. Hooked it back up to the battery tender and tried again Sunday and again just now. Battery is right at a year old and seems to turn over just fine. The fuel pump cycles when I turn on the key. However, when I let go of the starter button it cycles again and I don't remember it doing that before. But then again, it always started so that may be normal. I did move the top triple clamp around as I was adjusting the steering bearings and I did wash the bike when I got back from the trip. I can't remember if I started it since returning from the car wash three weeks ago.

I'm about to go out and check fuses and ignition switch wiring now but I wanted to run the across the group to see if anything jumps out, plus it helps me think through what has changes since the last time I started it. Also, no error codes on the dash. Thanks

 

[SmokinRZ]

I just tried to bump start it in 2nd gear going down my alley and nothing. When the bike came to a stop the fuel pump pressurized again. I'm starting to think that is where my problem is.

 

[EricV]

I'd bet money on you fired it up briefly after you washed it and moved the bike, then shut it down before the bike fully warmed up. Classic hard start. It's just flooded. Pull the EFI fuse and crank it until it starts to pop, then put the fuse back in and try it again, using 3/4 to full throttle if it doesn't catch normally, but keep cranking until it starts.

Naturally, use some common sense and don't crank it for a minute strait and fry the starter! And remember, once you try to start the bike and stop, the headlights come on. So turn the key fully off, turn the kill switch off, then key back on, kill switch to run, THEN try again with the starter. Otherwise you're wasting 110 watts on the lights that could be going to the starter.

Note that part of the issue is a wash down of the cylinder walls that occurred after the first short run and other starting attempts. No oil on the cylinder walls means no compression and even more difficulty starting.

 

[SmokinRZ]

I really can't remember since it was 3 weeks ago. The carwash is three miles away so I might have stopped it in the driveway when I got back and then fired it up to get it in the garage. I know I cycled the key a few times the previous weekend to see if the power outlet was getting power. Is it normal for the fuel pump to re-pressurize after letting off the starter button? Thanks!

EDIT : OK just saw a you tube video on Tenere no start, and the fuel pump re-pressurizing is normal. Never noticed. I will pull the EFI fuse and try again.

 

[EricV]

Cycling the key can trigger the hard start problem sometimes. Do you tend to not use the kill switch and just turn the key off? The kill switch seems to be part of the reset process and if the kill switch is in the off position, the fuel pump won't activate every time you turn the key on to check wiring changes when you're working on the bike.

Still sounds like just flooded. Post up how it goes after you try removing the EFI fuse and cranking it.

 

[Skytower]

Every time I find a problem, after doing a mod, I recheck my work to ensure it wasn't created by something I did.

 

[SmokinRZ]

Ok I finally got a chance to look at it again. Pulled the FI fuse and hit the starter with the throttle open and I got a pop. Put the fuse back in and held the throttle open and cranked for a good 15 seconds and it hit a few times and then came to life. What a relief, its already in the mid 90s and I wasn't sure I was up to trouble shooting in this heat. I though I was going to miss out on another summer of riding, last year I couldn't get a final drive seal because of supply issues. I'm actually surprised it started, I didn't believed that fuel could flood a combustion chamber for a week without evaporating. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[SmokinRZ]

Cycling the key can trigger the hard start problem sometimes. Do you tend to not use the kill switch and just turn the key off? The kill switch seems to be part of the reset process and if the kill switch is in the off position, the fuel pump won't activate every time you turn the key on to check wiring changes when you're working on the bike.

Still sounds like just flooded. Post up how it goes after you try removing the EFI fuse and cranking it.

Good tip, from now on a I will hit the kill switch if I need electrical power without starting it.

 

[EricV]

Awesome! Glad you went after it and it fired up for you. We all learn new things, this is just one of the quirks of the bike. Have a great riding season!!

 

[Tenman]

Uncle Ericv strikes again