Unsuccessful First Ride of the Season. Help!

[Deke]

So, the temperature is supposed to reach 40 degrees today, so I thought I'd ride my 2012 RT to work today. It has been on a trickle charger, and I treated the gas before I put it away in late Nov/early Dec. I crossed my fingers, and turned the key.


It started right up! I went back in the house to get my things, leaving the bike to warm up for a minute or two. I got on, released the brake, and rode out of the garage. I headed out the driveway and started down the street. I live only 3 houses from a stop sign, so I didn't even have an opportunity to shift.


As I got off the gas and applied the brake, the engine stopped. No noise or anything out of the ordinary; the engine just stopped. I tried a few times to turn start it back up, with no luck. It would turn over, but never really catch. I am absolutely not a mechanic, but it strikes me more as fuel related than electrical.


Any thoughts before I call my dealer?

Thanks,

Deke

 

[Chupaca]

Well..!!

Not much to go on, but if it was running fine it is not likely the gas. If it cranks and lights etc are working dies not sound electrical although you may have some fuse or sensor problem. check fuses relays kill switch to start. You will get more posts soon with more info...good luck:dontknow:

 

[otter28169]

Did you check your battery attachments? They might be loose or corroded. Did you unhook the battery cables before you hooked the battery up to the trickle charger?

 

[NancysToy]

It should not have stalled, but since it did, let's try to get it started before you have your dealer address the problem (unless it is just bad fuel.) Try the flooded engine starting procedure first. Crack the throttle and crank the engine. If it still does not start, open the throttle fully to prevent starting, and crank it through a few times. Then try to start normally. If that does not work, repeat the procedure again, first trying cracked throttle starting. If it still doesn't start, then we need to look deeper.

Next, check the relays in the front trunk to make sure they are seated. If it cranks well with a charged battery, I wouldn't worry too much about battery connections (inside the body, not the jumper terminals under the seat). [Never loosen the negative jumper terminal unless you want a big chore tightening it again.]

I have a couple of questions about the fuel stabilizer and fuel. Did you fill the fuel after adding the stabilizer, in order to mix it? If not, it could have settled in the tank and blocked your fuel filter or injector nozzles. Second, was the tank topped off while it sat in cold storage? If not, you could have water condensation that has blocked the fuel passages...especially with ethanol fuels. Fresh fuel is the best cure if you have already added fuel additives such as Stabil or SeaFoam. You can try the Chevron Tecron additive, but be very careful with the dosage...the bottles are meant for larger fuel tanks. If all else fails, you will have to change the plugs, a procedure which has difficulties of its own. It may pay to call a dealer instead.

 

[boborgera]

Sounds gas related to me, You say it cranks so it's not the battery or the kill switch.
A shot of ether [starting fluid] will rule out the gas if it still doesn't start. But you say your not mechanically inclined, So i would Skip that method. Crazy as this sounds [grasping at straws here] Open the gas cap you might have a vacuum lock at the gas tank.:dontknow:

 

[Deke]

Thanks!

After pushing her back home, I drove my car to work. I'll try some of these suggestions when I get home this evening. It's supposed to be even nicer tomorrow!

Deke

 

[boborgera]

After pushing her back home, I drove my car to work. I'll try some of these suggestions when I get home this evening. It's supposed to be even nicer tomorrow!

Deke

You know sometimes just setting for a few hours will revive the beast.??opcorn:

 

[ottawa-rider]

If you have not done so yet, check the kill switch, maybe you flick it off without noticing, although, I think, if it's off, the bike will not even crank.

 

[boborgera]

If you have not done so yet, check the kill switch, maybe you flick it off without noticing, although, I think, if it's off, the bike will not even crank.

Corect, Kill swich off , No cranking. The OP said it will turn over but not start!

 

[Deke]

I'll check it all!

I appreciate the reminder on the kill switch, although in this case, since it is turning over, that is probably not the issue. When making suggestions, feel free to assume I don't know anything. That is probably a pretty solid assumption. :bowdown:

Deke

 

[jerpinoy]

You have the best help from others already.:agree: Full fuel tank will prevent condensation. If you can empty your fuel tank and refuel with fresh premium gas this might help. Good luck and let us know the fix.

 

[Deke]

Irony Alert!

You have the best help from others already.:agree: Full fuel tank will prevent condensation. If you can empty your fuel tank and refuel with fresh premium gas this might help. Good luck and let us know the fix.

Ironically, The last time I rode the bike was to fill'er up with premium gas and put in gas treatment to help with condensation! :banghead::gaah:

 

[BajaRon]

My guess is when you get home it will start right up again. I assume you put it back on the charger.

 

[Bob Denman]

Did you check for active codes? :dontknow:

 

[Oldmanzues]

Sometime, if you take the key out and walk away a couple minutes. The Spyder mends itself.Then start fron basic again.
Oldmanzues

 

[NancysToy]

Okay, an oldie but a goodie:Kill Switch

Won't crank with the kill switch in the "off" position.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Kill switch

So, the temperature is supposed to reach 40 degrees today, so I thought I'd ride my 2012 RT to work today. It has been on a trickle charger, and I treated the gas before I put it away in late Nov/early Dec. I crossed my fingers, and turned the key.


It started right up! I went back in the house to get my things, leaving the bike to warm up for a minute or two. I got on, released the brake, and rode out of the garage. I headed out the driveway and started down the street. I live only 3 houses from a stop sign, so I didn't even have an opportunity to shift.


As I got off the gas and applied the brake, the engine stopped. No noise or anything out of the ordinary; the engine just stopped. I tried a few times to turn start it back up, with no luck. It would turn over, but never really catch. I am absolutely not a mechanic, but it strikes me more as fuel related than electrical.


Any thoughts before I call my dealer?

Thanks,

Deke

did you check the RED KILL SWITCH?a

 

[Deke]

You are not going to believe this.

I tried to start the bike tonight without doing anything. It turned over just as it had this morning, showing 200 RPM on the tach, but not actually starting. Following a video, I checked for active codes and there were none. I did not get at the actual battery connections underneath the cover, just the posts that are showing, and I made sure they were tight. I opened the gas cap, actually replacing it with the new cap. I gave it another try, with same results.

I checked the kill switch, and it was in the correct position. Just to make sure, I put it in the "kill" position, and tried to start the bike. Absolutely nothing happened (which is how the kill switch is supposed to work). I put it back into the "on" and tried to start it, and while it didn't start, it actually tried, with a quick spike up to 1000 RPM. I killed the switch again, tried it, and nothing happened. Put the switch back to the "on" position, and it started up.

That all makes no sense, as near as I can tell. The kill switch was not in the wrong position, because it would try to turn over. However, turning the kill switch off and back on, and the bike started.

I've left it run while I type this. I'm going to go shut it down and see if it will start again. If it does, even though it is late, I'll go ride a bit just to actually let the RPMs go up. I'll let you know what happens.

+Peace,

Deke

 

[Deke]

Okay, so after letting the bike idle for the length of time it took me to type my last post, I went outside. It didn't seem like it was idling smoothly, so I revved the engine. When I let go of the gas, it died. Sigh.

I went through the little ritual of trying to get it started again, and after a few tries, it did start. I revved it again, and held it at about 3000 rpm for 10-20 seconds. When I let off, it stayed running. After a few more rev and release, I got brave, and hit the kill switch. When I reset the switch, the bike started right up.

So, I figured I'd take a test ride. I backed down my driveway and took off down the street, revving to about 4000 RPM before I shifted. Everything seemed fine, so I took a spin around the block. I returned home after about 1.5 miles, and killed it.

Now I was feeling pretty frisky, so I started it back up (absolutely no problem) and headed down the street again. I took it out onto a bypass about a mile from my house, and opened it up, getting up to 62 mph. I drove it for about 5 miles, having to slow down and speed up a few times, but everything was working great.

I put it back in the garage, and back on the charger. I just checked it, and after about 15 minutes, it is still charging (not in standby mode). I guess the day may have tuckered out the battery a bit.

My diagnosis: a problem in the fuel system that needed to be flushed out. I'm hoping to ride to work in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! I love my Spyder, and I love how helpful the SpyderLovers are!

+Peace,

Deke

 

[boborgera]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Sometimes when they sit for a long time they get cranky and give you a hard time starting,
Just like my knees.