Wouldn't Start
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Onalaska, WI
Wouldn't Start
I came out of work after a 10 hour day and everybody was starting their bikes and when I went to start mine all it would do was roll over. Pulled out the cell and called the dealership. They were there in about 20 minutes. I was surprised. We loaded it in the trailer and took it to the shop. The service mgr. said they would look at it. Well, after about an hour he comes out and says,its out front. Then he tells me they think it was vapor lock. Or it might have been a computer glitch. I said I was hopeing that they would have found something so I know it won't happen again. Now I have been riding for a long time and have not seen a lot of bikes not starting. I have a 2006 Ultra 95 inch screamin Eagle motor and put 18500 on last summer. I had it in 2 weeks ago for the 20000. So what could it have been? I didn't think a stone cold fuel injected motor could vapor lock. It was parked all day next to a butt ugly Kawasaki that may have been giving off bad carma. Now I'll be wondering when is it going to do it again . Middle of Wy. Maybe california in 2 weeks.Has anybody else ever hear of anything like this? Da Beast
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: Wouldn't Start
Pretty hard for a fuel injected bike to vapor lock seeing the fuel is under pressure going to the injectors. Vapor lock IMO is not a possibility, especially stone cold.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Wouldn't Start
I would say it wasn't getting either spark or it wasn't getting fuel.
But vapor lock definitely NOT.
Properly working fuel injection system can not vapor lock the whole system
is kept under pressure, no place for a vapor to form.
Either it didn't do it for the dealer or he just plain isn't telling you the truth.
I would pull the crank position sensor and clean it.
If it does not send a signal to the ECM while you are cranking the ECM won't
send fuel or spark to the injectors and plugs.
But vapor lock definitely NOT.
Properly working fuel injection system can not vapor lock the whole system
is kept under pressure, no place for a vapor to form.
Either it didn't do it for the dealer or he just plain isn't telling you the truth.
I would pull the crank position sensor and clean it.
If it does not send a signal to the ECM while you are cranking the ECM won't
send fuel or spark to the injectors and plugs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: Wouldn't Start
Do you remember if you heard the fuel pump go through it's cycle for the 4 seconds. Maybe a loose wire or something with the fuel pump? But vapor lock from just sitting, I doubt it. Vapor lock usually happens under extreme heat conditions.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: Wouldn't Start
VAPOR LOCK
Definition: When gasoline overheats and boils inside the carburetor bowl or fuel pump of a hot engine, it ceases to flow. This can cause stalling or hard starting. This is called vapor lock, and it usually happens during hot weather. If a hot engine won't start, all you can do is let it sit and cool off. You should check the cooling system to see if anything is causing the engine to run unusually hot (a bad thermostat or cooling fan, for example). Switching brands of gasoline may also help.
I'd check the plug for the fuel pump where it plugs in to the harness. It's at the back of the fuel tank, where the seat comes up to the tank, in that general area. Well at least on my 99 Roadie that's where it's at.
Definition: When gasoline overheats and boils inside the carburetor bowl or fuel pump of a hot engine, it ceases to flow. This can cause stalling or hard starting. This is called vapor lock, and it usually happens during hot weather. If a hot engine won't start, all you can do is let it sit and cool off. You should check the cooling system to see if anything is causing the engine to run unusually hot (a bad thermostat or cooling fan, for example). Switching brands of gasoline may also help.
I'd check the plug for the fuel pump where it plugs in to the harness. It's at the back of the fuel tank, where the seat comes up to the tank, in that general area. Well at least on my 99 Roadie that's where it's at.
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: Wouldn't Start
There is also the possability that they left something loose or forgot something on the service. That is why they said nothing was found.
Had some work done and a couple days later it started running like crap. Brought it in without an appointment. Called the next day said it was done plus they changed plugs. Temp sensor was unplugged. Dealer said they did not know how it happened but they must have removed they plug when working on the bike and not connected it correctly.
As it has been said vapor lock was not the problem.
Had some work done and a couple days later it started running like crap. Brought it in without an appointment. Called the next day said it was done plus they changed plugs. Temp sensor was unplugged. Dealer said they did not know how it happened but they must have removed they plug when working on the bike and not connected it correctly.
As it has been said vapor lock was not the problem.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Wouldn't Start
Like Bryan said make sure the fuel pump goes through it's cycle. Sometimes a loose or faulty ignition switch will cause the fuel pump to not engage. Take notice of your lights when turning the ignition switch on. I sometimes have to wiggle the switch for it to engage. I have to bring it in to get checked some day.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
RE: Wouldn't Start
It still could be a vapor lock problem caused by a defective componant, here is how. On an EFI engine, after you turn the engine off the fuel pressure should stay high for many minutes, often an hour or more. The reason for retaining the pressure is to prevent the fuel from boiling in the hot fuel pump, fuel line and even hotter fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator housing. If the check valve in the fuel pump or if thefuel pressure regulator is defective the fuel pressure will not hold after engine shut down and the fuel can nowboil without pressure. When going to start the bike the next time the fuel system could have residualfuel vapor or air which has to be purged out before the engine will start again. To test, a fuel guage needs to be installed and then watch forfuel pressure retention on a hot and cold engine turn off tests. Like any problem, difficult to diagnose if intermittant. I purchased the fuel pressure guage adaptor and have a fuel pressure guage permanently installed on my bike, sure helps make aquick diagnoses if I have an engine running issue. Like a oil temp guage, it should comestandard IMHO.
