Drying out an Xchallenge

[frostyuk]

after several wet rides the xc has had a few problems starting. it turns over fine for quite a while and eventually it will start usually after waiting a while between the start attempts. Sometimes the bike will run and then cut out and then restarts fine and off we go. between start up attempts there's lots of clicks, whirls, whizzes and crackles from under the seat and the temperature guage flickers. i'm guessing i've got some water in somewhere, i've sprayed wd40 type stuff externally on all the connectors and relays etc. any other suggestions as to what i can do? should i open all the connectors and spray inside? what about the engine management unit .... can i open that and spray in there? thoughts anyone?

cheers

 

[Timolgra]

From what you describe, you may want to check the starter relay plus battery connections etc.

 

[MTBiker]

I will also point that 1st thing to check is battery condition and connectors.

Last winter I have problems with starting my XCH just after riding few km thru snowy roads. I just heard clicks from starter relay and nothing more.
Bike started and allowed me to ride some... but flat battery was tha problem.

If it doesn't solve the problem I would trace connectors under the dashboard, fuel pump connector.
BMS-C steering unit connector I would check last (with a lot of caution) - btw should be waterproof.

rgds
Lucas

 

[frostyuk]

The battery is fine , tested starting in the garage last night after the bike had been on a battery tender and was at full voltage, I should have also said that the whirls and clicks etc was not whilst I was pressing the start button but after the bike had tried to start and had been turning over but not firing

 

[MTBiker]

1. when you are pressing starter button does starter runs ?
2. does bike starts and then stalls or its not starting at all ?
3. does the display reacts normally all the time? it is not going blank etc.. ? any codes shows up?
4. are you shure that those clicks are from rear/middle not a front? that kind of sparkling noise can be made by starter relay - located high on right front.

 

[powroll]

wheel the poor blighter indoors and whack the central heating on, try again in the morning.
Works when not sure where to squirt the WD.

 

[frostyuk]

1. when you are pressing starter button does starter runs ?

yes

2. does bike starts and then stalls or its not starting at all ?

eventually starts then stalls then all the clicking/whirling/crackling noises and then once thats all finished starts and runs fine

3. does the display reacts normally all the time? it is not going blank etc.. ? any codes shows up?

display is fine no errors or anything

4. are you shure that those clicks are from rear/middle not a front? that kind of sparkling noise can be made by starter relay - located high on right front.

yup had the seat and panels off to

as an update to this, gave it all another spraying with gt85 paying particular attention to the relays and let it soak in overnight ..... started fine this morning and run normally so hoping that it may be sorted .... will try later in the cold and damp and see if its still fine

thanks for the help

rgds
Ian

 

[frostyuk]

wheel the poor blighter indoors and whack the central heating on, try again in the morning.
Works when not sure where to squirt the WD.

hmmmm not sure that would be a popular move

 

[frostyuk]

checked again tonight all back to normal

 

[powroll]

result, oh for a heated garage eh , mine resembles fungus the bogeymans cave on a damp day!