I have a 98 thats had issues with the charging system. However it has always ran properly .I parked the bike as I saved up enough cash to buy the parts I need. I put a new battery in yesterday and now it wont start at all. I have drained the fuel tank and put fresh gas that did not help. I hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the key on. I did cover the bike with a tarp however im sure it blew off at times during rain. I would say it prolly was not exposed to alot of rain but not totally sure. I always checked on it when I could and recovered it.
I want to ride really bad, if anyone knows what could have happened or where I could start next, Is it possible moisture could foul out plugs or anything? was thinking I would replace plugs next.
These bikes don't like sitting for long doing nothing.
You should be able to smell fuel, especially at the exhaust.
as stated, pull the plugs and check they're wet, and spark.
Put fresh fuel in her and have a well charged battery cause ya gonna be cranking a bit.
In my case, I just had to keep cranking, stop, let her sit for a bit, rinse repeat.
Use your normal amount of choke.
Check the manual - p 5-47 to jumper the fuel cutoff relay and cycle some fresh fuel through.
Prop up the tank, pull the airbox lid, and open the throttle wide. Physically look down the intake runners with a flashlight while you crank the bike, you should be able to see the fuel spray from the injectors. If you don't see the spray, your injectors need cleaning. If you see the spray but it still doesn't start, then find that jumper to run the fuel pump, and just barely crack the bolt at the end of the fuel rails (fuel line goes into one, then it has another short line that runs to the other, then at the end of that one is a bolt; this is the one you want) and wrap it with a lot of rags. Turn the key to the on position with the jumper in place and prepare yourself for lots of fuel to drip/spray out of the end of the rail. Keep doing this till you're good and soaked, and/or you smell fresh fuel. Clean and tighten everything back up and remove the jumper, then fire for effect; see if the bike starts. You gotta figure, if the bike gets 35mpg @ 60mph, then under load it still only uses 1/2 gallon an hour. At idle, just cranking the bike, you're only going to be spraying, what, a teaspoon per 10 minutes or so? It'd take an awful long time for the bad gas that's currently filling the fuel rails and lines to work it's way out just by cranking. By manually purging it you'll make a mess (guaranteed) but get the bad gas out in about 10 seconds.
I got the bike running and went up and down the street a feew times. Sadly a week later when I tried to crank her no go, It was down again. I am gonna change the plugs and get a new air filter since a critter made a nest out of it. Im gonna change the oil and might as well do the fuel filter to.
I also have the famous R&R issue which is why it was parked to begin with. I bought one a long time ago and it crapped out during the first ride. I have done some tests of the electrical system when its first cranked up it seems to regulate properly. I get proper voltage to the battery. After a few minutes It craps out and I get like 60 volts to the battery. Also the connector to the R&R is melted a littlle.
Any thoughts on what may be happening would be great. I have been hesitant to buy another R&R because Im scared something else may be wrong causing the others to go bad. I dont wanna be out another 100 some odd dollars.
Check you wiring harness for worn wire insulation if it can rub on something it can wear and short.
Check all grounding blocks and connections, bad grounds in particular can make your electrical system do very strange things
Add more grounds
Search posts on RR/electrical/grounds....
ok I will check all the connections as u susggested. Also I saw you mentioned in another thread that running a bike with a bad R/R could cause other damage. What should I check for Idk how far I have run it with a bad R/R.
DOes it make any kind of sense that when I crank the bike for first few minutes it seems as if R/R works properly then after a few it stops working?
I had similar issues about a month ago. I took the battery out and gave it a good charge overnight. I also changed the spark plugs, oil, oil filter and air filter. After that it started first time and has been running since. Last year i had a problem with the battery. I charged it but it still wouldn't start. I had the battery checked. There was a cell dead so i replaced the battery and that solved the problem. So what i'm saying is start with the battery as this is usually the cause.
"DOes it make any kind of sense that when I crank the bike for first few minutes it seems as if R/R works properly then after a few it stops working?"
Short answer is yes. I do not have any experience with a fading RR, but from what I've read, what your are describing can happen. It seems to be due to heat buildup in the RR, and your duration with a functioning RR during a ride will probably get shorter. Therefore, you'll want to find the gremblin sooner rather than later.
Your stator is also at risk with a failing RR, as is the battery. Check each independently because problems with one can create problems in the others. Search for the proper way to check these. I have a 3rd gen and don't want to steer you wrong. You may want to invest in a voltmeter on your bike. It seems to help identify problems before things go bad.