Help - stranded at A&S

[Little Joe]

Of course it's Monday. Did a brake flush & bleed at the Tech Daze last Sunday. On the ride home the gas gauge was reading 2-3 bars below what I knew the level to be. Temp gausge is fine. Figured I'd live with it until I have a chance to pull the tupperware off.

 

The chance has arrived. Riding to work this morning, engine suddenly died on the freeway. Pulled over, checked fuses, battery negative. Both good. Next time I switch the key on, it starts right up. I go about four miles, and it dies again. This time no reset. Gas gauge shows empty, though I have nearly a full tank. Temp still reads correctly.

 

Did a topic search on "gas gauge". Can't verify the electrical connector to the tank without pulling the plastic, which was the most commonly listed problem and might affect the fuel pump operation?

 

I was close to Roseville, so I had it towed to A&S where it sits. I'm burning a vacation day trying to figure out my next move. Suggestions? Troubleshooting matrix? Thanks.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Can't verify the electrical connector to the tank without pulling the plastic, which was the most commonly listed problem and might affect the fuel pump operation?

 

Sounds like you don't have much else to do. Why not pull the plastic and check the connector?

 

The only other way to verify fuel pump operation is to do the following:

 

-sidestand up;

-kill switch set to "run";

-ear resting on fuel tank;

-turn the key on.

 

You should hear the fuel pump run for about 1/2 a second.

 

Given the intermittent nature of your engine failure - and the fact that your fuel gauge is acting screwy - I'm not sure I'd even trust the results of that test. The only way to be sure is to pull the panel and do a visual/tactile inspection.

[snod]

I would strongly suspect the fuel pump/gas gauge connector. Pull the right side tupperwear and make sure it is solidly together. It could easily cause the symptoms you are experiencing. As Mitch said, testing my not show an intermitant from a loose plug. Visual inspection is indicated.

[T__]

Of course it's Monday. Did a brake flush & bleed at the Tech Daze last Sunday. On the ride home the gas gauge was reading 2-3 bars below what I knew the level to be. Temp gausge is fine. Figured I'd live with it until I have a chance to pull the tupperware off.

 

The chance has arrived. Riding to work this morning, engine suddenly died on the freeway. Pulled over, checked fuses, battery negative. Both good. Next time I switch the key on, it starts right up. I go about four miles, and it dies again. This time no reset. Gas gauge shows empty, though I have nearly a full tank. Temp still reads correctly.

 

Did a topic search on "gas gauge". Can't verify the electrical connector to the tank without pulling the plastic, which was the most commonly listed problem and might affect the fuel pump operation?

 

I was close to Roseville, so I had it towed to A&S where it sits. I'm burning a vacation day trying to figure out my next move. Suggestions? Troubleshooting matrix? Thanks.

 

 

Joe, any chance you opened the fuel tank filler? If so did you hear a sucking sound or have difficulty opening the filler cap?

 

I presume you had the tank off to do the brake bleed?

 

If you have a vacuum in the fuel tank you might have a fouled tank vent hose or have a vent hose that is incorrectly installed.. If the fuel tank can’t vent properly that can stop the fuel flow & stall the engine but secondly it (the vacuum) can crush the fuel gauge sender tube inside the tank causing it to read incorrectly or stop working..

 

What else did you do to the bike this weekend besides the brake bleed?

 

Twisty

 

[Little Joe]

Mitch,

 

Yep, it seems to be the electrical connector to the fuel tank. It looked solid, but pulled it apart anyway. Reconnected and it fired right up. Disconnected/reconnected/checked function a couple of times. Couldn't repeat the fault.

 

Looks like some oxidation on the contacts. Suggestions for cleaning the little buggers?

[Little Joe]

Joe, any chance you opened the fuel tank filler? If so did you hear a sucking sound or have difficulty opening the filler cap?

 

I presume you had the tank off to do the brake bleed?

 

If you have a vacuum in the fuel tank you might have a fouled tank vent hose or have a vent hose that is incorrectly installed.. If the fuel tank can’t vent properly that can stop the fuel flow & stall the engine but secondly it (the vacuum) can crush the fuel gauge sender tube inside the tank causing it to read incorrectly or stop working..

 

What else did you do to the bike this weekend besides the brake bleed?

 

Twisty

 

Didn't open the fuel lid. Everything seems to be working now (see above). Thanks for the input.

 

Joe

[snod]

Looks like some oxidation on the contacts. Suggestions for cleaning the little buggers?

 

I use CRC Electical parts cleaner, available at most Checker and NAPA type auto parts stores. Comes in a red, white and black aerosol spray can. After it is clean, use dielectric grease on the pins. That will help keep it them clean and conducting.

[Little Joe]

Looks like some oxidation on the contacts. Suggestions for cleaning the little buggers?

 

I use CRC Electical parts cleaner, available at most Checker and NAPA type auto parts stores. Comes in a red, white and black aerosol spray can. After it is clean, use dielectric grease on the pins. That will help keep it them clean and conducting.

 

Fred at A&S was kind enough to loan me some CRC. That is sufficient to remove oxidation? Didn't think to put dielectric grase on the contacts (like the old standby Vaseline on battery terminals). Next time it's apart I will. Sure didn't like the sudden shutdown on the freeway.