Lousy non-starting lump!!

[[email protected]]

It began a couple of trips ago. stalled at a road junction.
Now this is a surprise to me as with the torque of this engine it always seemed capable of starting uphill in about third, so easing away downhill and all stop seemed unlikely. I even had to paddle to the side of the road as it wouldn't fire. Starter turned, one cough and then sullen obstinate teenage strop. Finally agreed to start and everything seemed Ok. blamed myself (I've been married, so it's natural).
Today, tried to start it up. Took about five or six attempts, each time with a single catch and then nothing. finally started but very clearly only on one cylinder. Picked up and ran smoothly at 2-3 thousand revs, but tickover decidedly not right. either one cylinder or one and not much contribution from the other. Also seemed to be a bit of variation in tickover speed, not regular hunting, but just mumbling about.

So, what's that all about? I expect a fuel injection engine to start on the button first throw. My Gixxer has been standing for six months and just heads for the red line as soon as I turn the key.

What done broke?

 

[shugie]

It began a couple of trips ago. stalled at a road junction.
Now this is a surprise to me as with the torque of this engine it always seemed capable of starting uphill in about third, so easing away downhill and all stop seemed unlikely. I even had to paddle to the side of the road as it wouldn't fire. Starter turned, one cough and then sullen obstinate teenage strop. Finally agreed to start and everything seemed Ok. blamed myself (I've been married, so it's natural).
Today, tried to start it up. Took about five or six attempts, each time with a single catch and then nothing. finally started but very clearly only on one cylinder. Picked up and ran smoothly at 2-3 thousand revs, but tickover decidedly not right. either one cylinder or one and not much contribution from the other. Also seemed to be a bit of variation in tickover speed, not regular hunting, but just mumbling about.

So, what's that all about? I expect a fuel injection engine to start on the button first throw. My Gixxer has been standing for six months and just heads for the red line as soon as I turn the key.

What done broke?

Fuel pump controller perhaps, do a search, lots of info about this, including how to sort it.

 

[Big Nick]

Fuel pump controller perhaps, do a search, lots of info about this, including how to sort it.

+1

 

[Pukmeister]

I experienced exactly these symptoms one day last year when late for work and ended up putting the bike straight back in the garage and taking the car to work instead. On return from work, I retried the bike after doing the TPS reset routine and it fired up and ran smoothly so I put it down to the TPS having lost its setting whilst being stood for a while.

A week later on a rideout in the back of beyond, my fuel pump controller failed and left me stranded by the roadside and luckily got recovered by a mate with a trailer. A coincidence perhaps, but if I were you I'd seriously consider buying and carrying a spare FPC part and a torx tool to do a roadside change just in case the worst happens.

 

[[email protected]]

thanks for that, it sounds like good advice. Now, where is the best place to by a fat controller? I've looked at most spares sites without much success and since nearest BMW agent is in Bristol, would like to do it by post.

 

[Big Lee]

Dealer I mean, come on who else is going to have one?

 

[luckylucian]

Yup, BMW dealer will take your cash and post it to you

 

[Gipsy]

Usually when the FPC fails, the engine fails to start. From your description it seems as though the engine runs albeit badly. Not typical of an FPC failure. Usually if the FPC fails then no fuel gets through. Might be worth trying the workaround posted as a sticky in an effort to diagnose the problem.

 

[Deleted account W]

Sounds like you bought a 1200, I think theres plenty advice here about your problem

 

[DrFarkoff]

Applies to USA but you get the idea?

Recall ID #23479
Recall ID #23479 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE : DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recall ID #23479 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE : DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recall Date MAR 03, 2005
Component FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY :FUEL PUMP
Motorcycle Affected R1200 GS
Potential Motorcycles Affected 3084 Recall Details
Recall Date
MAR 03, 2005

Motorcycle Affected
2005 BMW R1200 GS

Summary
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE DEFECT INVOLVES A WATER LEAK AROUND THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. AN O-RING SEAL ATTACHED TO THE PUMP'S ELECTRONIC HOUSING DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER CAN BYPASS THIS SEAL AND CONTACT THE PUMP ELECTRONICS.

Consequence
ENGINE STALLING, OR A FAILURE TO START, COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE RIDER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SEALING RING. IF THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC UNIT IS CORRODED, IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2005. ADDITIONAL MY 2005 R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES WERE ADDED TO THIS RECALL IN DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS OF MY 2005 MOTORCYCLES WILL RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION DURING FEBRUARY 2006 THROUGH AUGUST 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Potential Motorcycles Affected
3084

Notes
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

 

[[email protected]]

thanks again to everyone. I'm used to the sound of fuel pumps priming and I have a feeling that perhaps that sound was missing on the no-starts, so maybe it was intermittnt start of failure. anyway, have decided to swap FPC as existing fat controller looks pretty manky - trousers wrinkled, top hat shabby - corrosion everywhere although it has a black cover.

 

[Gipsy]

Any b=news yet?

 

[rick]

Don't know exactly where you are in Wilts, but if you have a BMW car dealership closer and have the part number they could get it for you. Otherwise its your friendly local dealer, or either Motorworks, or Motobins will probably do it mail order for you.