Check engine light, code 16

[dfwfjr]

Hi all,

My 05 sat for 6 weeks. This morning, it was very hard starting. Key on, hit starter, sounded like it wanted to start, but no joy. Then the check engine light came on, code 16 on the display. I tried a couple more times, even fiddled with the throttle a bit, but no start, then I smelled raw gas like it was flooded.

I waited a couple minutes, almost resigned myself to put it away for the day (beautiful day here in the metroplex), then turned on the key, opened the throttle wide and closed it -- check engine light off and code off. Hit starter and it stumbled to life! Ran great all day.

After the ride, I checked the code: "A stuck throttle position sensor is detected." I guess opening and closing the throttle "unstuck" the TPS, which must have stuck from sitting too long.

I thought I saw this problem described here or elsewhere but couldn't find it using the search function. Has anyone else seen this? Any residual problems I should be worrying about (besides not letting the thing sit for 6 weeks ever again!)?

Thanks, Ed

 

[rdfrantz]

What freaking manual are YOU reading !!!

My FJR manual says:

Code 16 - Insufficient utilization. Unit will be reappropriated into the Collective and re-issued to more resonsible owner.

So it is written. So it shall be done.

Merry Christmas, Ed.

 

[FJRSTAR]

After the ride, I checked the code: "A stuck throttle position sensor is detected." I guess opening and closing the throttle "unstuck" the TPS, which must have stuck from sitting too long.

Exactly what happened to my '04 after sitting for two weeks in my garage . After fiddlin' with the throttle, it started and did not give me any more trouble through a 1200 mile ride and then some. Even as I approached 25,049 miles, it did not malfunction.

 

[zorkler]

had the 16teen come up 2 times in 9000 miles

 

[Ronman]

Mine did exactly that, w/o the 16 being displayed on the dash. Almost parked and called the dealer, then roled it out of the garage and gave her another try. It reluctantly stumbled and fired a few times, then finally started and ran smoothly. Hasn't resurfaced since.

Someone here on the forum answered my panicked inquirey as to what the hell was up. He explained that when the bike sits for extended periods of time (in my case it was around 4 weeks) that sometimes the fuel manifold that feeds the injectors can drain slightly and backfill with air. Until that air has been purged from the manifold, you have no fire. By repeatedly cranking the engine, you eventually get it purged and running. Morl of the story? During extended periods of cold storage, keep the battery charged.

 

[Geezer]

Just a guess here but I have has this sort of thing happen on fuel injected cars. When you turn the key on one of the first things that happens is the fuel pump runs for a couple seconds to pressurize the fuel system. If you switch the key back off and on again to run the pump a couple of times it should help. I'll try it in March when I try to start mine up.

 

[dfwfjr]

Just a guess here but I have has this sort of thing happen on fuel injected cars. When you turn the key on one of the first things that happens is the fuel pump runs for a couple seconds to pressurize the fuel system. If you switch the key back off and on again to run the pump a couple of times it should help. I'll try it in March when I try to start mine up. 

Thanks to all for the great information. I'll be especially careful not to let it sit for long periods to avoid the penalty for insufficient utilization!

Just to clarify my experience, I did turn the key on and off several times with no joy. It tried to stumble and start the first couple times, then acted like it was "flooded" (I smelled raw gasoline). It was only when I turned the key off, then on, then opened and closed the throttle that the check engine light and error code disappeared. To get it started, I actually had to fiddle with the throttle as I cranked the engine and as it stumbled. Once it got going, I was off without another problem.

Ed

 

[FJRSTAR]

I'll try it in March when I try to start mine up.

That sure seems like a long time. Can you hack it?

 

[tripletango]

Hi all,
My 05 sat for 6 weeks.  This morning, it was very hard starting.  Key on, hit starter, sounded like it wanted to start, but no joy.  Then the check engine light came on, code 16 on the display.  I tried a couple more times, even fiddled with the throttle a bit, but no start, then I smelled raw gas like it was flooded.

I waited a couple minutes, almost resigned myself to put it away for the day (beautiful day here in the metroplex), then turned on the key, opened the throttle wide and closed it -- check engine light off and code off.  Hit starter and it stumbled to life!  Ran great all day.

After the ride, I checked the code:  "A stuck throttle position sensor is detected."  I guess opening and closing the throttle "unstuck" the TPS, which must have stuck from sitting too long.

I thought I saw this problem described here or elsewhere but couldn't find it using the search function.  Has anyone else seen this?  Any residual problems I should be worrying about (besides not letting the thing sit for 6 weeks ever again!)?

Thanks, Ed

Did it make any mechanical noises on start up? I mean clattering sounds something different than normal?

 

[dfwfjr]

Did it make any mechanical noises on start up? I mean clattering sounds something different than normal?

No. It stumbled badly, misfired (not backfired), etc., but there was no clattering or other unusual sound. It took about 5 seconds with me fiddling with the throttle to start running properly.

I've had a couple long rides this week, about 600 miles worth, and no problems of any kind. Still 46 mpg, almost regardless of speed it seems, and no engine noise. Just under 8000 miles, with service due soon.

Ed

 

[FJRZON]

Below is some good advice for correct starting procedures if your engine is flooded or just plain hard to start after sitting for extended periods of time. Apparently this is not an unusual problem. Knock on wood…I haven’t had any problems yet with my FJR after my long winter hibernation cycles in the Great White North.

Mr Vvrroomm posted: Sep 30 2005, 06:12 PMThe way I finally started it: (it must be done in this order), open throttle wide open, turn key on, wait for fuel pump to stop, hit starter.  If your cylinders or exhaust are full of fuel you may/will hear a big BANG! Make sure you have garage door open.  LOL

 

[tripletango]

Below is some good advice for correct starting procedures if your engine is flooded or just plain hard to start after sitting for extended periods of time.  Apparently this is not an unusual problem.  Knock on wood…I haven’t had any problems yet with my FJR after my long winter hibernation cycles in the Great White North. 

Mr Vvrroomm posted: Sep 30 2005, 06:12 PMThe way I finally started it: (it must be done in this order), open throttle wide open, turn key on, wait for fuel pump to stop, hit starter.  If your cylinders or exhaust are full of fuel you may/will hear a big BANG! Make sure you have garage door open.  LOL

Starting is not the issue here. Yeh the dam ecu computer can get confused and screw up. Turn it off and go again like you say. Hell I had a Lotus once that would get confused and let the engine start and run on 3 cylinders for 5 minutes.

What a few of us are concerned about is the injectors or valves or camshafts what ever clattering loudly making you cringe and think the motor is totally effed for a few seconds.

When I turned off the ignition because the noise was so loud, I hardly dared to try to start the bike again it was that bad!

Help Warchild !!

 

[dfwfjr]

Starting is not the issue here.

Actually, starting was the issue for me. I had no injector or valve noise at all. After fiddling with the ignition and the throttle, almost, but not exactly as Mr. Vvrroomm specifies, I got mine running.

It sounds like the noise problem you and others experienced is a different problem from mine (which others evidently have also experienced).

Ed

 

[tripletango]

Starting is not the issue here.

Actually, starting was the issue for me. I had no injector or valve noise at all. After fiddling with the ignition and the throttle, almost, but not exactly as Mr. Vvrroomm specifies, I got mine running.

It sounds like the noise problem you and others experienced is a different problem from mine (which others evidently have also experienced).

Ed

Yes that is true. I think ecu confusion occurs with most engines with these computers.

 

[tripletango]

Starting is not the issue here.

Actually, starting was the issue for me. I had no injector or valve noise at all. After fiddling with the ignition and the throttle, almost, but not exactly as Mr. Vvrroomm specifies, I got mine running.

It sounds like the noise problem you and others experienced is a different problem from mine (which others evidently have also experienced).

Ed

Yes you are right. Sorry! Just let all the clattering overcome the reluctance to start problem! The bike was also hard to start.