1999 1100RT sparking problem

[costellon]

Howdy. I have a 1999 Bmw R1100rt that has suddenly refused to spark after having gotten very wet. I have stripped off all plastics and dispelled moisture from ALL connectors on the machine, checked all fuses and removed and refitted all relays ... I have even gone so far as to test the hall effect sensor - which checked out fine - but I pulled the cover off and cleaned it nevertheless.
I have even ran a second earth to the frame and checked the side stand switch.
The ignition coil is getting 12 volts and all other components on the bike are working (Neutral light, oil and battery lights and the ABS lights) ... The bike is turning over fine but is not sparking. Occasionally, while conducting this investigative work, an "arcing" sound can be heard coming from the "ABS" area of the bike (not the ECU) and when this happens the fuel injectors can be felt "pulsing" ... At this stage i'm completely stumped and not amused !

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if anyone knows of anybody that may be able to conduct a diagnostic for me in my workshop (in the Moycullen/ Galway area (Ireland)) would be greatly appreciated ... I'm not looking for a freebie ... I just want to get this fixed and get back on the road.

Much thanks.

 

[The smudger]

How wet exactly? and how long since it has run, did it cut out in the wet?

I would make sure the pump is running first. Have you taken a plug out and with the HT lead connected held the plug to the engine, is it firing?

Hope this helps..

 

[costellon]

How wet exactly? and how long since it has run, did it cut out in the wet?

I would make sure the pump is running first. Have you taken a plug out and with the HT lead connected held the plug to the engine, is it firing?

Hope this helps..

I bought it last week as a non runner (battery dead and clutch burned out) - for a mate. Got it home on Friday, stripped the plastics off, jumped it, she fired up beautifully ... took it for a gentle run up and down the road to check the gearbox ... all good. Whipped the tank off, covered the alternator with plastic, sprayed degreaser on the motor and rinsed it off (carefully). Nipped off for an hour to do an errand and when I came back I noticed that my mate had decided to "help" me, so he had power washed the entire bike ... from top to bottom !!! Aaaanyway, dried it off as best I could, shoved it into my workshop and stripped out the box/ rear drive and pulled the clutch. I also disconnected all of the block connectors in an effort to allow them to drip dry. Four days later (after being in a swelteringly hot workshop) I replaced the clutch and had rebuilt the front end (seals, balljoint and disk bobbins). I made sure that everything was as dry as I could get it, fitted a battery, the tank and fired it up. It was reluctant to start ... but did after a few presses of the button and it must have had a bit of oil in the cylinder as it was smokey. Stopped it, and after an oil and filter change and air filter change - tried it again ..... nothing. Checked for spark ... none. Checked coil ... getting 12v ... checked HES sensor using led light as described here (http://www.ebbo.org/2av54.php) and both sensors checked out fine. Removed ECU and checked for any ingress of water .... none. Generally pulled and pushed at the wiring and checked and rechecked all connections/ joins ... still nothing and very very rarely and for short periods - an arcing sound can be heard coming from around the abs area and the fuel injectors "pulse" and click. Everything works, all lights come on and when I turn the kill switch on and off the fuel pump hums quite happily, same with the sidestand switch ...
So, HES checks out, there's power to the coil, fuel pump hums away when it should, it just won't spark ! Would the coil just fail like that on both cylinders ? Any advice appreciated ...

 

[DrFarkoff]

Did ya plug the coil connector in properly

Tunedin's bike had broken connectors within the connector block

 

[costellon]

Did ya plug the coil connector in properly

Tunedin's bike had broken connectors within the connector block

I did, and checked it as I have checked all block connector units.

Taking it to a mate tomorrow that has a diagnostic tool ...