After washing - hard to start, won't idle, misfire

AndyW

AndyW

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I've done a few searches and not come up with any mention of this problem :-(

2005 R1200GS

Problem started occurring after the last few times I've washed the bike:
# Won't start without some throttle
# Won't idle, have to hold the revs at 2k+ rpm to keep it running
# Runs really rough, misfiring

Up until now, having run it up to 3 or 4 bars on the temp guage and left it overnight it's been alright, not today after washing yesterday though :mad:

I guess the problem is water ingress but I've not found where!! :-( So far I have....
~ Checked for engine/ecu errors with a GS-911.....no faults/errors
~ Checked the obvious electrical connectors for TPS, Fuel Injectors etc and pulled the Primary Coils/spark plug caps......all bone dry
~ Pulled the FPC and run with a bypass lead
.......all to no avail :blast

HELP!!.........any advice greatly appreciated :thumb
 
Sounds like a good excuse not to wash your bike to me.

Just say its an Adv bike and so it ads to the character.

Sorry don't know :comfort
 
Peep Show

Iffy / loose main batt connector, have you checked the integrity on this.
 
The MacFarlane said:
Sounds like a good excuse not to wash your bike to me.

Just say its an Adv bike and so it ads to the character......
Click to expand...

lol

Throttle cable / water in tank / battery connection.........thing is this has happened the last couple of times I've washed the bike and come right on it's own just by leaving the bike to stand for a period of time so has to be water ingress somewhere drying out over time?
Just checked battery connections anyway, ok - in fact disconnected and did the TPS reset thing whilst I was at it......no change :(
 
AndyW said:
lol

thing is this has happened the last couple of times I've washed the bike and come right on it's own just by leaving the bike to stand for a period of time so has to be water ingress somewhere drying out over time?
:(
Click to expand...

I does sound like that you are getting water into something electrical but given that the waterproofing is normally good enough to survive riding in the wet, you must have a damaged part somewhere or you are blasting the hell out of it with a jet washer. Given the majority of the electrics stay relatively dry under the tank I'd re-check (by disconnecting and looking inside for signs of water or tell-tale green copper corrosion) all the connectors to sensors external to the engine that regularly get wet such as the TPS, Lambda sensors, engine temp' sensor etc. A small dollop of silicon grease will help keep the water out of a connector when you reconnect. Water and corrosion in a connector can cause the apparent resistance of a sensor to change by partially shorting out the wires so the computer is fooled into thinking, for example, the bike should be given more or less juice than it actually needs.

I'd start at the TPS sensor and also check its plastic case isn't cracked or damaged.
 
Could well be the mini coils - remove and check the lower ones for cracking to the casings through internal rusting of the laminated steel core. Check upper ones for water ingress to the low tension connections and water ingress to the spark plug centre electrode connector.

Try spraying a water repellent on one component at a time eg WD40 and see if it improves the situation. If it does you've found the fault.
 
Thanks guys.......convinced that water ingress was the start of the problem but now fairly certain that some electronic component is failing/has failed. Took a short run today to meet up with some guys for a rideout (hoping that a bit more air and warmth might clear the problem if it was still water). Still rough as hell after a few miles and giving the matter further thought decided I better not ride any further for risk of doing some harm (ok, not that wise but I was really keen to go on said rideout and as the issue had cleared itself previously hoped for more of the same!)......

654044972_tQALY-L.jpg


Exhaust is really black and sooty and exhaust fumes smell really rich.......now leaning towards gross over fuelling drowning ignition spark, question is what's wrong and where?! Will pull the plugs later and at least narrow it down to which side the problem's on.
 
AndyW said:
Thanks guys.......convinced that water ingress was the start of the problem but now fairly certain that some electronic component is failing/has failed. Took a short run today to meet up with some guys for a rideout (hoping that a bit more air and warmth might clear the problem if it was still water). Still rough as hell after a few miles and giving the matter further thought decided I better not ride any further for risk of doing some harm (ok, not that wise but I was really keen to go on said rideout and as the issue had cleared itself previously hoped for more of the same!)......

654044972_tQALY-L.jpg


Exhaust is really black and sooty and exhaust fumes smell really rich.......now leaning towards gross over fuelling drowning ignition spark, question is what's wrong and where?! Will pull the plugs later and at least narrow it down to which side the problem's on.
Click to expand...

v nice bike btw....
 
Thanks for the link I'll have a read.....got to admit I was a bit concerned at the bars being used

T900 said:
ht coil failing is my best guess.
Click to expand...
The 'misfires' were leading me to think ignition/spark side of things but now I'm not so sure.....another clue, put the ignition on to check the miles earlier and surprised to notice that despite just 30 miles on a full tank the fuel guage top bar has gone already. So major increase in fuel consumption.....fuel injector 'jammed' open?.....anyone heard of this?
Just guessing still will give the bike another look over tomorrow.

RickG said:
TPS :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
What makes you think TPS?....I did do the TPS reset procedure but I guess that's no good if the TPS sensor is duff.....would a faulty TPS sensor account for the symptoms??

And of course there's the issue of the fault initially being intermittent i.e. only after washing the bike......... :confused

theop said:
v nice bike btw....
Click to expand...
Thanks :D ...........looks even better when not being trailered!!!!!!
 
AndyW said:
Throttle cable / water in tank / battery connection.........thing is this has happened the last couple of times I've washed the bike and come right on it's own just by leaving the bike to stand for a period of time
Click to expand...

How can a unseated cable right itself?
 
+1 for the TPS, have a read of this thread, especially post 23. You could try just disconnecting the TPS and seeing if there's any difference - if not it'll be fubared.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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