Falco starting problem... but might be generic...

Message

KitchenSync · #1 Post by **KitchenSync** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:17 pm

Hola,

just before christmas, Signor Falco exhibiting his normal "it's cold and damp and I 'ainta gonna start" nonsense decided to just not even turn over after exhausting the battery and having to wait for a recharge.

Click click click I hear... but not starter running any more - working one second, not the next.

Aha I thinks - STARTER SOLENOID!

So I'm forced to bypass it, rerouting the lead to the starter and for a fortnight I've been holding the damn thing straight on to the battery. Actually starting a lot better that way... maybe because the fuel pump is no longer flooding things with petrol.

Finally got round to fitting the new solenoid... and NOTHING... just the same click click click of the relay for the fuel pump, and the pump whirring away as before.

All the fuses seem intact, two under the seat and the bank on the right of the fairing.

It cant be the starter switch... because it's activating the pump relay..

Any clues?

Ta muchly

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:19 pm

Is it the fuel pump relay clicking or the starter relay?

is it clicking once or repeatedly clicking away while your thumb is on the starter?

KitchenSync · #3 Post by **KitchenSync** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:23 pm

It's just the fuel pump relay actuvating... I've all the plastics off and can feel it. It just clicks once as it should, accompanied by the fuel pump starting until I remove my thumb from the starter button.

Absolutely nothing from the starter relay.

I should try routing 12v through the low side I guess to see if it's a dud?

KitchenSync · #4 Post by **KitchenSync** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:57 pm

Just put 12v through the solenoid and the damnable thing works... so the old solenoid was good and the problem is somewhere between the switch and the solenoid!

Darn it.

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:38 pm

Excellent

Question posed by KitchenSync

Diagnosis identified by KitchenSync

Solution to be implemented by KitchenSync

KitchenSync · #6 Post by **KitchenSync** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:46 pm

I see no solution!

Other than to rig two wires into the low side of the relay, one is to the battery, the other poking out from under the pillion seat.

When I want to start I hold loose end onto the pillion seat lock

Sorted! Respect due.

In the meantime - any clues how to diagnose where the glitch is.

I'm REALLY hoping it's not the nasty mess that was made when a Datatool was put in by some previous owner. It's been fine for three years.

fatboy · #7 Post by **fatboy** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:38 pm

Mmmm... suspect immobiliser instilation.
Everyone I know that has had a Datatool system has had to have it uninstalled.
Mates with cars have had similar problems, I had to suss out Ford's Passive Anti Theft System at 6am at the start of a 200 mile round trip,sussed in 2 mins with a piece of wire and pliers, not really much of a deterrent then !

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:05 pm

So when you press the starter button, are you getting +V on one side of the relay coil contacts and 0v on the other? (it sounds like you are not)

If not what are you getting on each of these contacts?

KitchenSync · #9 Post by **KitchenSync** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 5:33 pm

Odd - having bought my THIRD voltmeter in my life... I actually see about 9v coming through the terminals to the solenoid when I press the starter button. Not enough to trigger it I guess??

KitchenSync · #10 Post by **KitchenSync** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:47 pm

Datatool...

So I looked up what's involved in cutting out the Datatool Series 3 alarm. Having lifted it out of position and straightened out the cable... guess what... the starter solenoid is now working. The thing still beeps three times when I disarm it - indicating it thinks there's been a hotwire incident, but it's not disabling the starter circuit any more. It's been doing the three beeps for a while, and then sometimes it's been ok, so I'm guessing that packing loads of stuff under the saddle has pulled or otherwise damaged a wire.

But the bike is starting by button now. Odd though that if it was the alarm stopping the starter circuit, why not the ignition as well?

I still may remove it. But I need to get so black tape before I'll do it.

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:50 pm

Ah Datatool ...... nuff said!

(I know not everyone with a Datatool has problems - but enough do that I'd not go near one)