Engine start failure--need help
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
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Engine start failure--need help
Hi guys and gals.........I'm having trouble starting my "hubby's" bike, XL883 C 2005 with 1,400 miles on it. Excellent condition. Please bare with me. Unfortunately, I know little of bikes. It has an electronic start. I will tell you exactly what I've done to paint the picture here.
It sat in our garage for 2 mos. without being started. 3/4 gas tank full. I pulled the choke out, opened the fuel line, turned the ignition on, switched to "run" then hit start. What happens is a clicking noise, sometimes rapid, sometimes 3 or 4 clicks in a span of two seconds. The battery appears to work fine, light is still on bright. I've checked the oil which is level enough. All connections appear to be snug and intact. Sounds like the spark plugs are doing their job but that the engine just is not turning over. I've tried starting with choke off, fuel line off, just about every different way I could think of. I even attempted to throttle but never smelled any gas as if I flooded it. This happend two weeks ago. I let it sit for two hours then got back on and it started right up. Today, same thing all over again but has not started for me. I've waited hours in between trys and no luck.
Does anyone here have a suggestion?
One more thing. Are their two fuel lines? Like maybe a runnoff line (remember I mentioned I know almost nothing of bikes)? I found what I thought to be the fuel line under the tank, followed it to the end, which was just hanging down the middle of the bike not attached to anything. The liquid at the end smelled like fuel. But, I'm thinking if it was the fuel line and the fuel line worked, there would be fuel all over my garage floor (but there is none).
Thanks for your time.
[IMG]local://upfiles/16460/41C8AD1F13C64C1A8220D93A6094E397.jpg[/IMG]
It sat in our garage for 2 mos. without being started. 3/4 gas tank full. I pulled the choke out, opened the fuel line, turned the ignition on, switched to "run" then hit start. What happens is a clicking noise, sometimes rapid, sometimes 3 or 4 clicks in a span of two seconds. The battery appears to work fine, light is still on bright. I've checked the oil which is level enough. All connections appear to be snug and intact. Sounds like the spark plugs are doing their job but that the engine just is not turning over. I've tried starting with choke off, fuel line off, just about every different way I could think of. I even attempted to throttle but never smelled any gas as if I flooded it. This happend two weeks ago. I let it sit for two hours then got back on and it started right up. Today, same thing all over again but has not started for me. I've waited hours in between trys and no luck.
Does anyone here have a suggestion?
One more thing. Are their two fuel lines? Like maybe a runnoff line (remember I mentioned I know almost nothing of bikes)? I found what I thought to be the fuel line under the tank, followed it to the end, which was just hanging down the middle of the bike not attached to anything. The liquid at the end smelled like fuel. But, I'm thinking if it was the fuel line and the fuel line worked, there would be fuel all over my garage floor (but there is none).
Thanks for your time.
[IMG]local://upfiles/16460/41C8AD1F13C64C1A8220D93A6094E397.jpg[/IMG]
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, KY
RE: Engine start failure--need help
I believe the problem is the battery. A battery can be strong enough to run the head lights but not turn the starter over. The head light uses 55 watts or about 4 amps while the starter can draw 50 or more. Try charging it with a charger made for motorcycles or a small 12 volt 2 amp charger or replace the battery all together. The charge should be over several hours or over night with a mc battery tender with the battery out of the bike in case of spillage which can happen during charging. Be very careful if you try to jumper it, you could explode the battery or at least warp the plates. The extra hose from the gas tank is a breather hose for the tank. If you didn't have one or it is stopped up, it would pull a vacuum on the tank as you use gas stopping the flow of gas causing the engine to die. Then you pull off the road to see why, you'll open the gas cap to make sure you have gas and you'll hear pssssss. Put the cap back on, start the engine, run for a few miles until you create another vacuum and the whole thing starts over again. Also, if you over fill the tank, it will spill out through this hose onto the ground and not on your paint or engine. Been there, done that, yada, yada, yada.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 3
From: Stanwood, WA
RE: Engine start failure--need help
Agree here. It's electrical, nothing wrong with the motor. Battery is weak or battery cables loose. Best to take the battery out, charge it, put it back in, ought to be OK.
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
RE: Engine start failure--need help
Thanks for your opinion Joe. Not enough power in the battery makes sense, or if anything, I've been running it down anyhow all day making it worse. I appreciate your time 
Sara
Sara
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
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RE: Engine start failure--need help
Joe, thanks for the advice. I pulled the battery out, tested it before charging and it test 10 on a 12V battery. So, with no juice, I hooked it up to an 8V charger charging for 2 hrs. 30 min. The battery then test at 13. I hooked it all up and hopped on. It started without a hitch and of course I had a big smile on my face. Thanks.
Another question. After 10 mins. of running on full choke/enricher, I tried cutting it back to half then almost to nothing and it started to die on me. Same thing at 15 mins. It's been about 2 and a half months since it was fully run. Is this okay to still have on full throttle? I'll wait and see.
Sara
Another question. After 10 mins. of running on full choke/enricher, I tried cutting it back to half then almost to nothing and it started to die on me. Same thing at 15 mins. It's been about 2 and a half months since it was fully run. Is this okay to still have on full throttle? I'll wait and see.
Sara
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
RE: Engine start failure--need help
You shouldnt be running the enricher that long. I use the chole on my 03 1200 for about 30 seconds, push it all the way back in, and slowly roll on the throttle for about a minute. Ready to ride. You can foul your plugs if you use it too much, which will cause problems.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, KY
RE: Engine start failure--need help
sara, I agree with NEW2HD, you should not have to run the enricher that long. On my 96 1200, I had to choke it after it sat all night even in the summer. I would have to twist the throttle 6 to 8 times (more in the winter) pull the choke out full and hit the starter. I could push the enricher/choke in fully after a minute or less. You problem could be the old gas is starting to gum up the carb. If you have the time, try some fresh gas and add some gas additive to see if it would clean the carb's innards. Just remember one bottle treats about 20 gallons or so, so only add the proper amount to a tank of gas. If you don't have the time, clean and adjust the carb, replace the plugs and check the air filter and vacuum hoses. Good luck.
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