The wife as the 08TE450. Recently its been harder to start, especiallhy from cold, or the second start if not properly warmed. Out on the trail properly warmed it start great. Has clean filter and brand new plug. Last weekend, pulled it off the trailer, started fairly easily, took for a tiny spine just to park it and shut it off. 15min later absolutely could not start it, went through two battery and one leg trying to kick it. Normally starts quite easy being kicked. Was very flat place, eventually had to tie it to the car while my wife drove and we roll started it, but it coughed and spluttered a lot like a flooded bike before it finally smoothed out and ran nicely. Has happened a few other times, first i thought it was the old plug so i put a new one, but i cranked it with the plug out to clear it and it started easy. Next time it happened i whippe dout the plug, cranked it, plug back and it started. I dont want to just put it in the shop without first having some clues on what it might be. Any ideas?
Do you has access to iBeat EFI diagnostic setup? Is there a flashing fault indicator (neutral light)? iBeat would show what the sensors are reading and injector timing which can help identify the problem without blindly guessing.
Actually the dash is totally dead. Wonder if that makes any difference? I was gonna ask them to replace under warranty when i put it in the shop. No ibeat here So in the shop is the best bet?
Is it possible to detect and correct incorrect ECU settings that may be causing these issues, eg incorrect throttle position with the power commander? Is it possible to simply reset the ecu, or throttle positions, just like you can do in your car with the right sequence of throttle/power/whatever ?
Power Commander doesn't change or reset anything in the ECU. It only adds or subtracts fuel by adjusting the electrical pulse duration going to the injector. The adjustment is base on a table of RPM verses throttle position. You really need the bike connected to iBeat to identify fault codes, adjust TPS, adjust fuel map or read other sensors. If it's costly or long distance to dealer, it may be worth buying iBeat for yourself. It cost about $330 shipped overseas. www.semcodesigns.com/Products.php No guarantee iBeat will fix the problem, but it will allow you to collect information that you can share with us so maybe we could be of more help.
I had a similar problem - very hard to start from cold but not when warm. I did usually get it to fire in the end by blipping the decompressor and/or opening the throttle wide for a moment, but it would sometimes take five minutes or more. It turned out to be the temperature sensor. The ECU thought the engine was hot when it wasn't and fuelled it accordingly - it may even have thought it was overheating and pumped extra fuel in to cool it. Once it was warm it would start no problem as the actual temperature was then much closer to what the ECU thought it was. With the aid of Husky Sport we'd already decided it was the temp sensor while talking about it, but when I took the bike in they put it on iBeat to make sure. With a new sensor in place it now starts from cold with no problems.
just check your spark plug holder sometimes the lead detaches from the plug socket and needs to be screwed back in properly.
Thanks for the EFI tips. I will take it on for a tune and latest map etc. Hasnt been in the shop since i bought it in 08. The spark plug lead is damaged, once it was pulled out of the holder completely. I just jammed it back in, always feels pretty secure. Can the lead be replaced or is it part of the coil pack?
It doesn't just jamm back in , it has to be screwed back into the lead , if you get a torch you will see a screw on the inside of the plug holder on the top where the lead goes back in , you twist that holder back onto the lead until its tight , firm . You probably pulled it off when changing your spark plug as its tight . I must have also
Ahhhhh. Thanks for that. I went and checked it this morning, it was only loosely in there. I screwed it back on, bike started first kick after sitting for 2 weeks. Gave a quick spin and restarted on the button instantly. Runs a bit crisper as well. All fixed now, thanks for that tip
