Need help...won't start
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: South Jersey
I would plug in the original ecm for a couple of seconds just to eliminate the possibility of a Tmax problem. A nice blue audible "snap" should be coming from the plugs. A kv tester to see what the spark is would be nice. And now we are at fuel. Pull the filter off an shoot a little brakecleen in and see if it fires. By this time you should be leading down the right track.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
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From: Bellevue, NE
Regarding the regulator cover, it hasn't been on for more than 1 mile, that can't be the issue. I snuck home this morning and tried it again after letting the battery tender work all night. Still cranks but no start.
My next step, I guess, is to plug in the factory ECM, easy enough, but I assume I need to switch O2 sensors as I'm doing it? Just for the test? PITA.
FWIW, the spark looks weak to my untrained eye, and I don't have the tools to check fuel pressure or measure the spark. I will try shooting something into the throttle body to see what happens, is a tiny shot of brake cleaner the best best?
I'm seriously bummed right now. I don't want to spend my Sturgis wad on repairs before the trip!
My next step, I guess, is to plug in the factory ECM, easy enough, but I assume I need to switch O2 sensors as I'm doing it? Just for the test? PITA.
FWIW, the spark looks weak to my untrained eye, and I don't have the tools to check fuel pressure or measure the spark. I will try shooting something into the throttle body to see what happens, is a tiny shot of brake cleaner the best best?
I'm seriously bummed right now. I don't want to spend my Sturgis wad on repairs before the trip!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
No, you won't need to switch o2s. You are only doing a test. Just unplug the Tmax and plug in the orignal. It will still start, just set codes. I use brakecleen at work (cars) for suspected fuel issues all the time. A 1 second squirt in the intake and it should fire if it is a fuel issue. You can pick up a cheep spark tester at a part store for under $10. This is the one I use at work. http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx. Anything similar should do the trick.
Last edited by FXSTDSE2; Jul 18, 2009 at 12:13 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
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From: Republic of Texas
Weak spark? If you ground that plug against something good with electronic ignition it should arc bright and crisp. Stand back --start over and look at everything electrical slowly and deliberately. Assuming that the valve train still works and you have a bike still in timing with compression---that leaves only ignition and fuel. Check your ignition again and if you have fire then misting a little bit of fuel into the throttle body should get you something. A small shot of fuel and then hit the starter switch while standing clear of the throttle body. If the bike fires up then you have a fuel problem. There is always the danger of fire when adding raw fuel into an engine to bypass any means of metering. I hesitated to write this because of the hazard of getting burnt or burning down the garage. It sounds like you are trying to work on this bike by yourself and you are frustrated. Calm down, relax and think this through while trouble shooting back to your main problem. If you can't do this safely and deliberately--get help.
Club Member
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
water turns into moisture after heated and that may be W it happened the next day.
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I seem to recall people having problems with the chrome covers for the regulators a while back. I don't remember the specific problem, but my guess is that is your problem. Seeing that is all you added to the bike, pull it off and try again.