Wouldn't Start

[Jer]

I stopped for a breakfast Sandwich north of Seattle on my way home from Canada. It had just started raining, so I took my time eating and drinking coffee. I had put my cover over the bike and after removing it and stowing it away, i proceeded to start the bike in gear pulling in the clutch. The engine turned over, but wouldn't catch. Bad thoughts went through my mind since it was Sunday and nothing was open. I tried three or four times and paused before I ran down the battery and tried to analyze the problem. I finally decided to start over by turning off the ignition, shifting into neutral and then turning on the ignition and hitting the start button. It fired right up.

At first I thought it had something to do with the kick stand switch and the wet weather, but I don't think that allows the engine to turn over. My thinking is that it had something to do with the fuel injection or fuel pump. I haven't had any problem since, but would hate to be in an isolated part of the country and have this happen again. My bike is under warranty and I will approach the dealer about this when I recover from the terrible cold my wife gave me on my arrival home. No, not that kind of cold, the coughing, sore throat, plugged up head kind.

Any thoughts on this subject?

 

[Justin]

Engine turned over or just the starter turned? When you turned the key to the "on" position did you hear the fuel pump prime?

 

[Jer]

Engine turned over or just the starter turned? When you turned the key to the "on" position did you hear the fuel pump prime?

I had my helmet on and earplugs inserted, plus I wasn't paying attention to whether the pump was working.

I didn't notice if it was just the starter spinning, but I thought I heard a sound from the pipes occasionally like it was trying to start.

 

[jayke]

I've got a '13 too. Sorry to tell you; your ignition key wasn't turned all the way on. If you turn the key 7/8ths of the way to the On position, the starter will spin but the bike won't start.

I have GPS in front of the ignition switch, it's happened to me twice before I figured out the problem was me not the bike

 

[escapefjrtist]

Can't help much with the diagnosis Jer. Ignition switch ^^^^ definitely sounds like something to look at, maybe try and repeat the problem.

Always remember, you have back-up located all over the metro Seattle area if needed.

--G

 

[rbentnail]

Always remember, you have back-up located all over the metro Seattle area if needed.
--G

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/150755-its-here-wwwassistancelistcom-the-fjr-assistance-list/?hl=%22assistance+list%22

 

[lnewlf]

I've got a '13 too. Sorry to tell you; your ignition key wasn't turned all the way on. If you turn the key 7/8ths of the way to the On position, the starter will spin but the bike won't start.
I have GPS in front of the ignition switch, it's happened to me twice before I figured out the problem was me not the bike

Yep-happened on my '06...the two small contacts in the ignition switch that send juice to the ECM weren't making contact. engine will spin but not start..If memory serves, fuel pump won't run either..I cycled the switch a few times and it started...

 

[David Morrow]

Exactly the same thing happened to me a few years ago on my 2003. Hasn't happened since but it was a bit unnerving.

 

[Jer]

Thanks to all. I want to make sure this doesn't happen on my trip to Colorado in three weeks. I never had this happen with my '07. When i get over my cold or whatever it is I will take a ride out to the dealership and see what they have to say about this. I will make sure I don't turn the ignition key 7/8ths of the way to Start, Jayke. Thanks again for the help. i feel a lot better.

George, thanks for the reminder of the great help network the forum has set up. I will have to copy and carry with me some names along my path. And George I know that the folks in the Seattle area are some of the best.

 

[Justin]

So, starter turns the engine, but no fuel? Kinda what I was thinking without knowing the cause.

 

[wfooshee]

Switch is double-pole, so it's possible for one circuit to make and the other not. If the "big" wires are switched but the little ones aren't, it will crank forever and never fire. So now you know: cycle the switch if it happens.

 

[Jer]

Switch is double-pole, so it's possible for one circuit to make and the other not. If the "big" wires are switched but the little ones aren't, it will crank forever and never fire. So now you know: cycle the switch if it happens.

Will do.

 

[e2b]

Apparently I did not install the fuel pump plugs under gas tank on 2012 properly. When it got hot one day riding a bicycle race with a photographer it wouldn't start. After it cooled down it started and dealer plugged them in correctly and hasn't done it since.