Author Topic: Help: Why Won't She Start?  (Read 2396 times)

Wry

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Help: Why Won't She Start?
« on: April 11, 2016, 09:32:30 AM »
My 2008 Cal Vin was working just fine yesterday morning.  I started her up without a hiccup and put about 10 miles on her in 55-degree Minneapolis weather.  About 3 hours after parking, I tried to restart her--but to no avail.   The starter engages vigorously (the battery is fully charged), but there is no sign of combustion.

What could be wrong?

--The battery is charged
--The spark plugs are only one year old
--The kickstand sensor seems in working order because the starter engages
--There was no sputtering when I rode yesterday, so the gas is probably fine

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I don't want to have to call a tow truck!




Offline twhitaker

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2016, 09:44:16 AM »
Did you check the kill switch? Fuses?
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oldbike54

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2016, 09:44:39 AM »
 Do the Calvins have the bank of 15 amp fuses under the right side cover . I might start there .

 Dusty

Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2016, 09:46:55 AM »
Sounds like your fuel line disconnected itself inside your fuel tank. This has been a common problem for some Guzzis due to a fuel hose that is incompatible with fuel containing ethanol. You can diagnose this by turning on your ignition and looking inside the tank. If the fuel is swirling around in there, a disconnected fuel line is probably the culprit. You will need an appropriate new fuel line, an all-metal fuel filter, and new clamps to fix it. When it happened to mine, I fixed it in a casino parking lot. However, since the tank must come off you may wish to hitch up your trailer to bring it home.
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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2016, 09:46:55 AM »

Wry

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2016, 09:49:59 AM »
These are great suggestions.

Where is the kill switch located?

I should've mentioned that the only thing I did between the time I turned her off and tried to restart her two hours later is remove the seat.

Wry

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2016, 09:56:33 AM »
Ugh, it's Monday morning.  When asking about the "kill switch" I was not thinking about what's on the handlebars under my thumb...

oldbike54

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2016, 09:57:21 AM »
These are great suggestions.

Where is the kill switch located?

I should've mentioned that the only thing I did between the time I turned her off and tried to restart her two hours later is remove the seat.

 Not the kill switch . That shuts down everything . It is on the right side switch cluster on the handlebars . The advice about the fuel line coming off in the tank is also good . Open the fuel filler, hit the starter button and watch for bubbles and swirling .

 Dusty

Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2016, 10:03:17 AM »
These are great suggestions.

Where is the kill switch located?

I should've mentioned that the only thing I did between the time I turned her off and tried to restart her two hours later is remove the seat.
Part of right hand twistgrip normally but I think Sheepdog is most likely correct the injectors need to see about 45 PSI, I think you need to drain the tank to fix this, a bit awkward on the road.
Another possibility is a failed cam position sensor, if that fails the pump won't restart and you get no spark, easy to check for that.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2016, 10:07:11 AM by Kiwi_Roy »
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Offline rocker59

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2016, 12:16:24 PM »
Sounds like your fuel line disconnected itself inside your fuel tank.

My first thought, too.
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2016, 01:57:11 PM »
Yep, check for fuel swirling. If not, it's probably the cam position sensor. Both are common issues.
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline Cam3512

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2016, 05:17:37 PM »
Definitely the fuel line popped off the filter/pump.  It's inside the tank.

If your gas level is low, you won't necessarily see gas swirling inside the tank.  Ask me how I know.

Mine popped off on my Calvin doing 80 on the super slab.  Not fun, and it was supposed to have been replaced during prep by the dealer.
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Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2016, 06:02:10 PM »
I think Harpers or MPH has a kit with everything you need.. I'll help you do the job if you want.
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Online Tom H

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Re: Help: Why Won't She Start?
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2016, 06:16:46 PM »
I should've mentioned that the only thing I did between the time I turned her off and tried to restart her two hours later is remove the seat.

Could you have knocked a wire loose? Shorted a wire and blew a fuse?

You have spark right?

Good luck,
Tom
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