1150 GS not starting

DanGS

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Hi all,

My dual-spark GS has decided not to start. It's not being used for a couple of months. Some weeks ago I tried to turn it on and the battery was flat. Dismount it and took it home for charging, as I leave the bike outside.

After a good three-days charge, I fitted it in again and mount everything. I've did made a small mistake as I tried to turn it on at first with the QD not fully plugged. After pushing them in until click, the bike cranked but not starting.

Things that I've checked so far: throttle cables properly adjusted, fuel pump primes, injectors do click when it cranks--I plugged one out and check it was spraying properly--, I just fitted new battery (just in case as the other one was a bit old), spark plugs and air filter. I've checked that there is sparks in both cylinders (I tested the main ones on the coils), and the right one seemed a bit less strong, but this could be just my impression.

I was about to check if some hose had went loose inside of the tank, but I thought that if I have pressure in the injectors, it's probably not worth dismounting. I also tried to spray some starting fluid in the air box, and it did nothing.

All fuses and relays seem fine (I swaped them around between horn-motronic). Instrument panel lights up and tacho does not go crazy. I''ve put Oxford heated grips before winter and have been working well; I might try disconnecting them and the GPS power cables once the battery is charged again.

I've now run out of options, except for the hall effect sensor. I was doubting this could be the problem as the bike has never stalled, but I cannot think of anything else right now.

If you can give me ideas about things that I've might missed I would really appreciate it. I regularly do the maintenance but this is the first time I run into a real issue. Bike as 60k miles and I hope a lot more to go.

Thanks in advance
 
Double check your quick connectors.

You say it's not starting on QuickStart tells me you have no spark
 
Tank was completely full of gas and I didn't see any water when opening it. The fuel filter was changed one year ago, so I think it should be good. If I get fuel into the injectors does it mean that everything inside the fuel tank is alright?

I'll check again the spark plugs, but from the first answer looks like I might need to take a look to timing too...
 
Things that I've checked so far: throttle cables properly adjusted,

Check the cables are fully seated at the cassette end under the battery carrier- make sure both throttle butterflies are fully closed.

Can be reseated by twisting the throttle full on and pulling/rattrling the throttle cables at the throttle bodies.
 
Hi again. I spent some time this evening dismounting the fuel tank. Everything looks good, no hose disconnected, and filter seems ok. Put new gas inside, and still nada. Throttle cables are properly seated, (I hear the butterflies close well) and QD fully connected.

New spark plugs fitted one week ago, although I've just ordered a new stick coil as I still feel as the spark in the right cylinder seems a bit weaker. I'm also thinking on making the hall sensor diagnostic tool, but I'm puzzled... Will report if I find or eventually fix something (by chance, of course!).
 
Can't see how the timing could be out if it has just been stood, this has to be down to something very obvious.
 
No alarm or immobilizer. I have disconnected the GPS and aftermarket heated grips just in case. If I turn the kill switch to off, it does not crank. Not sure if that is a proper test though. Right stick coil was still the original one while L/H failed three years ago, but I'm not sure if when it failed the bike would start or not.

I agree it should be something obvious, but I just cannot see it. Sure it is something related to the sparks, as it definitely won't start spraying EasyStart inside the air filter box.
 
It would probably start on the lower plugs alone even if both stick coils were farked :nenau

Side stand switch / definitely showing neutral, are you trying to start it on the centre stand with the side stand up ...or has a mouse been living in the fuse box over winter :rolleyes:
 
Got the new stick coil. Strong spark; even made a shy attempt to start (though irregularly), but no luck. It is still in the same situation. Bike is on the centre stand and side stand up. I looked for mice, but I could not find any evidence...

I've just noticed a slightly different sound of the fuel pump when priming.

Any recommendations on what I could check?
 
If it's firing but not starting then you're nearly there.
Double check you cables are seated if the tanks been off.

Also re- try the QuickStart after ensuring the battery is fully charged. Not just a little dab and hit the starter. Spray it in continuously as the motor is spinning.
 
Just tried cranking and spraying as hell. It could not start and I managed to run out of battery again. Will leave it over the weekend, as I'm off until Monday, and try again when I return. If not I'm starting to think about taking it to the garage.
 


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