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Hi Guys,
Got a bit of an ongoing issue, a while back during one of the more heavier rain showers I got the EFI warning flash up, next day it flashed for a bit then back to normal. Next rain shower back again but cleared itself after a bit, did a search on here which pointed to the oxygen sensor.
Coated it in WD40 fixed for a bit but now its back despite not being in the rain. The real problem is that while this EFI is flashing the bike tries to start itself as soon as you turn on the ignition, now I’ve had plenty of bikes that don’t start but a bike that starts itself is new to me.
Yesterday after filling up I turned on the ignition, the bike tried to start itself but didn’t catch first time had a hiccup and reset the clocks (imagine loud expletive ).

Is there a way of cleaning the O2 sensor?
Is it something else causing the problems?
Also is there a fault finding code technique?

Noeli0, for what its worth?

I have had the EFI light several times, always in the rain, but only while on the throttle, the light would always go off when slowing down .

I have never had the "starting itself" senario , my only thoughts would be to strip the right hand switch gear and check it is not shorting across the starter button (I have read of problems with the starter button) as a work around/alternative use the kill switch when stopping and see if the problem arises when you turn it to the on position .

I am sure when "those in the know" return from Norfolk you will get a more indepth answer.

Cheers

Moose

Tend to agree with looking at the switchgear. If the starters' engaging it must be shorting the switch or the starter solenoid.

The solenoid is tucked under the right hand side panel so the most likely culprit is the switchgear.

Take right hand switch apart and apply wd40.... Leave it apart and allow moisture etc to dissipate - should sort the starter and that sorts that problem

The clocks resetting is likely to be a battery that is on it's way out... Either use an optimate or get ready for a new battery soon....

Noeli0 wrote:
Is there a way of cleaning the O2 sensor?

No .... as the Falco doesn't have an O2 sensor ....

Noeli0 wrote:
Is it something else causing the problems?

Yes .... as the Falco doesn't have an O2 sensor ....

Noeli0 wrote:
Also is there a fault finding code technique?

Yes - the fault codes can be found in the workshop manual - if you don't have it, download it from Martin Poll's site
http://www.martinpoll.dk/div_april.htm


If I rememember, the EFI warning can be caused by a problem with the air temperature sensor in the air intake tube.

Your starting problems may be unrelated to the EFI warning - checking switch gear may help - as Aladin says, check your battery is well charged and if it is old then it may be clapped out anyway (or getting that way)

No .... as the Falco doesn't have an O2 sensor ....

D'oh my bad I meant the temp sensor.
thanks for the input guys, I didn't expect and answer today as I thought everyone was in Norfolk.
I'm away up in York at my birds for the weekend (no tools etc) and she only has one of those 3G cards for internet so I can't download the manuals etc.
I was hoping the auto start was a common fault but looks like it needs further investigation. I will have to strip it when I get home (I might fit some heated grips while I'm at it )
As for the battery I'm gona have to keep an eye on that one especially as the temperature drops.

If the battery is suspect, sort it... Sooner rather than later

Heated grips wise - look at R&G

I'd had an ongoing problem from 2 weeks after i bought my bike 4 years ago (New). Go straight for the starter solenoid dude! Go for the uprated Aprilia 150Amp or Yamaha 100Amp starter solenoid. My bike has been fine ever since. I did however remove and clean the temp sensor from the right hand air snorkel, and filled the plug and socket with silicon grease befor re-fitting to keep the moisture out.
Hope this helps.

Ah - hadn't picked up the auto starting. Sorry.

The good new is that as it only tries to auto start when you turn on the ignition, the starter relay can't have stuck "on" (ie it doesn't sound as though the contacts welded themselves together ... which has been known) as that'd do a good job of flatteneing your battery .... in fact it'll more than likely do a good job of killing your battery ...
If this were the case, the starter motor would spin whether or not the ignition is turned on as the power feed through the relay to the starter motor comes directly from the battery.

Soooo, this must mean that the starter button is stuck on or the wiring shorted in such a way as to emulate the starter button being stuck and thus energising the coil of the starter relay.

Now you don't want to be running it like this as even if you start the bike the starter motor will continue to spin and that's not good. That means fixing it by checking out the switch and wiring. However, if you're not somewhere you can do this, rig up a temporary switch in series with the wires to the starter relay coil. This will at least get you home to where you can investigate properly.

Whistles quietly and eyes Andy.....

(even Norfolk has the web so we chatted over this thread this morning...)

D-Rider wrote:Ah - hadn't picked up the auto starting. Sorry.

I did sat beside you 7.30 this morning.

I don't "do" mornings ..... obviously wasn't fully booted up ....

thanks sam

it was 930 though - andy was still snoring and farting at 730..... horrible sounds while we were having a nice cuppa....

:)

good spot guys
I had a look at the starter switch and it was the culprit, once I sorted that the EFI disapeared, it looks like it was coincidence between that and the temp sensor.
another small victory chalked up the the ridersite

glad it was sorted so simply

the resetting clocks was NOT down to that though - watch that battery please.....

if you can get one to the bike, get an optimate or equivalent

oh - heated grips as i said earlier:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/R-G-HANDLEBAR-HOT ... 131wt_1139

I fitted these to Hanna's falco earlier this year - better than the Oxford ones I think and certainly cheaper

when you do go to fit them, read and use andy's guide to adding electrics to avoid batteries running flat.....