It just died!!! Now it won't start. What tha hell goin on.

I just finished changing out the chain and sprokets. Went on a test ride this morning. After about 2 hours Im riding along and I lose the engine. I coast to a stop,dang what the hell can this be? The r+r is cool,no burned or brownish wires. The fuses I could find are fine. All lights and guages are working, the kill switch and kickstand switch keep the engine from turning over. The starter turns, but she will not fire. Is it fuel or spark? I don't know yet. I you guys got any ideas i sure could use them. Thanks as always. Confused?????

 

start simple. how much fuel is in the tank? did you unplug any wires in the process of changing stuff? loose/bad connections can possibly be the fault. but start simple and build into the difficult stuff.

 

Thank you Bob. I will work through as you advise. Fuel is good, over half a tank. I had the seat off to get the tool kit for my chain adjustment tool on sat. I will go back through all wiring under the seat next. it was like you pulled the engine fuse while going down the road. Full power and purring along then silence. Dead as julius ceasar. Crrraaappp!!!

 

My 1984 Nighthawk used those barrel type fuses and the main fuse would get warm and disconnect itself from the one end causing the motor to die. Then, it would cool off and everything would be fine. It was weird when you are riding and EVERYTHING shuts off. Lights, gauges, motor..... ugh, I do know your pain.

 

Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key on?

Rollin

 

Yes I can hear the pump when I turn the key, Just as before. All the bells and whistles, seem to opperate as before. But she will not fire????? Well it is stormy out, So I will not mess with it tonite. But I will study the problem. Thanks for the help so far guys. If ya think of anything else. Hi me!!

 

Rain water might have seeped into the fuel tank ????????

But you need to check for sparks first.

 

Whooo!!! What... Are you kidding? I have never heard of that before. a day or so before I rode it rained hard,and the wind was so that I had to remove the bike cover. So the bike got really wet. This caused the turn signals to act up. I had to dry the switch with a heatgun before I got them back. Where would rain get in???

 

Fuel filler cap area, especially if there's cracks in the rubber gasket and drain hole is plugged.

But never mind fuel problems since your issue seems electrical.

 

Well it just passed the spark test!! I still hear the fuel pump when I turn the key,and if I twist the throttle I see the LED,s on the power comander move up and down.Time to do more reading. hit me if any of this rings a bell guys, Thanks to all for your help.

 

kinda sounds like what happened to my bike acouple of years ago...for me, my spark plugs were wet... so took them out let them dry... but them back in and a few turns over started right up (with some water separator to the gas too) also check the gap on them before putting them back in

 

Thanks man Ill give that a shot thursday evening. If the weather pemitts. I think ill drain the tank and start with fresh fuel,as well.Reaper you rock!! Hey squirrelman!! Do ya think it's worth a shot, to dry the plugs and change the fuel? It did rain like hell here a day or two before. And the bike was facing downwind. So water got to places it hadn't before. most times it is covered.

 

The obvious first step would be to temporarily remove the power commander to see if it makes any difference.

Rollin

 

Another thing to check, if it is like the 6th generation, is the ground wire that is connected on the bottom of the gas tank and main frame. My bike did the same thing a few times after I replaced the fuse under the seat by the battery. That wire must be securely tightened down in order for the fuel pump to prime for a few seconds (you should hear it turn off) so you can fire the bike up. It could be as simple as that.

 

Thanks guy's I wiil check all of the above,as well as bad fuel pinched vac lines,and as much as I can with the available lite this evening. I must find the problem. This bike is my way to work and back. At least I have a back up bike. But my wife want's her ninja back.

 

You describe exactly what happened to me today (twice!) I don't have a solution yet, but I'm watching this space to see if you do. I'm on a carbureted 3rd gen, by the way, if that aids your diagnosis.

 

Ok.. Latest update. Just tried spraying a small amount of fuel into throttle body air intakes,turned her over... signs of life. She fired for a second. So the plugs are not fowled. i have a fuel delivery problem. Oh great!!! I see by the trouble shooting chart there is only about 10 or 12 things that could be. Fuel injetion is nice... but right now I long for a carbarator... ah yes it was a simpler time. You would clean the crap from the jets and bowl, and most times..... she would fire. Now I need a 20 year old.. standing by me with a smart phone.. to say ( It says try this ). Some one hit me with a claw hammer please..LOL

 

Hey Rollin_ again. I have'nt found where the power comander is pluged in yet and near the batt one small wire peals off . it might be my loose wire Superpsu is talking about. Ill find out, and give your ideas a shot. Wish me luck gents. Im goin in...

 

The power commander usually connects somewhere in the general area underneath the airbox, usually on the right side of the bike.

Rollin

 

The wire that I mentioned to you ToyWG is the one where if you lift the gas tank up, it will only allow to lift it up so far. On my bike, the wire is on the left side. I am not sure if your gas tank is like mine since yours is a 5th generation VFR. The wire you found near the battery could in fact be a ground wire. I'd trace it and see where it leads.

-superpsu