Stelvio NOT stranded, starts then NOT dies.

[Daniel Kalal]

In Bosnia.  Starts, dies.  Checked fuses...  Any ideas?  Still trying to reach Agostini.  It's always an adventure.

[John Ulrich]

Water in the gas?

[Wayne Orwig]

Bad gas would be at the top of my list too.
Hard to imagine it would be ignition.

[Daniel Kalal]

Yeah, that seems right.  What's the easiest way to drain the tank, to ensure water is gone?

[jacksonracingcomau]

Efi bikes easy to do, gas floats on water
Pull injectors off, turn on, water will come out first, when gas comes, job done
Did it to completely drowned gs one day, got it going in minutes
But electric not impossible in this case, someone else might have had symptom ?
Good luck

[Kiwi_Roy]

Does it die as soon as the start sequence is finished or is it somewhat intermittent?

Thinking out loud, is the ignition powered from a different source in the start-up phase?
There are 7 fuses I think two are in a different location from the others.

Was the bike running ok prior to shutting down?

Does the bike have an anti-theft device? for some reason it has a helmet compartment switch.
I'm guessing the switch is some sort of secret disable option.

[Penderic]

I had the same symptoms when I forget to properly put back the anti-tipover thing that looks like a relay.

There is an UP indicator on the case to show how it goes back.

The bike engine will run as long as the starter button is kept activated, and die as soon as you release it.

Good luck! 

[Daniel Kalal]

I guess I'll be staying a bit longer in Bosnia.  Contacting Guzzi roadside assistance has been extraordinarily difficult.

Bad gas seems likely--siphoned empty (but, of course not 100%), but after adding more, still no go.  Tried several times.  Did not pull injectors--tools at-hand very limited. Plus, it's in a parking lot.

Sigh... A few years back I did all this in Hungary.  I'm afraid Bosnia isn't going to be easier.

[radguzzi]

Daniel,
Inspect the 6MM ground lug that is ground point for two cables and also the forward securing point for the starter cover...  That bolt is actually too short and the last couple of threads pull out easily.

If there is sufficient current to start, possibly as soon as the starter  lets go, the vibration wiggles that ground cable free from a not-well established ground and stops the action...  worth a look.

Best,
Rob

[Vasco DG]

So does it start and idle OK and then die when you try to open the throttle? Odd does it just give a little cough and refuse to start? The first *Might* be phase sensor. The second would indicate the fuel line had popped off the filter in the tank.

I take it you can hear the pump cycling when the ignition is turned on?

Pete

[Wayne Orwig]

Is it an 'instant off' when you let off the start button? Or is it trying to run?

[biking sailor]

If you have time on your hands while waiting...

Might just methodically go thru each safety device you can think of (kill switch, side stand, tip over...), then check for diagnostic faults in the dash (I think I remember the Stelvio NTX code to be 10695), and then just unhook the battery negative for a minute or so and then reconnect and try again (might let some gremlins out when ECU re-boots).

What clues does it give? Starts quick and easily then immediately dies, then restarts without cycling key?  Or requires re-cycling key to get it to start then slowly dies off?  Or another combination.  I do know my 1200 Sport would start and immediately die without application of throttle, but that was from the charcoal canister and pressure from heat. But a Euro bike won't have that.

Good luck and be watching to hear what it was.

[Daniel Kalal]

Is it an 'instant off' when you let off the start button? Or is it trying to run?

No coughing, it runs a bit, then doesn't.

It runs for 5 revolutions (guessing).  It Seems like it uses a bit if fuel, then is out.  I can start it with throttle cracked, and the short running duration is also with more power.

The pump runs a couple seconds then stops (as is normal)

Evidently, there is a Guzzi shop in Bosnia.  Assistance did finally call me, so things are at least in motion.

I've had similar when the vent stopped venting -- pulled the charcoal and cured that.  I've also had similar with water, but that seems to try harder to run.

I've no doubt it will be trivial, but who knows?  I've had a history if weird electronic failures, too.

[Vasco DG]

If you suspect venting issue crack the filler lid and see if you hear an inrush of air but I'd guess you've tried that? No codes in the dash?

Pete

[Daniel Kalal]

If you suspect venting issue crack the filler lid and see if you hear an inrush of air but I'd guess you've tried that? No codes in the dash?

Pete

I didn't think to check the dash code.  Right now I'm in a small hotel, and the bike is back a few miles (where I bought the fuel).  The tow will come tomorrow from Sarajevo and then on to Tuzla, where there is a Guzzi service place of some sort.

Whatever it is, I want a smoking gun.  Worst case is for it to start right up in the morning, leaving the problem unknown.

It's not raining, people have been good (ignore all the smoking), so things are good.

[Vasco DG]

Did it run for thirty seconds or so after the fill up and then play up? If so I'd be thinking fuel too. There would still of been 'Good' fuel in the lines to the injectors that would have to be used before the shitty stuff got delivered. If it started and ran for a brief period and then went tits it really sounds like bung fuel.

Pete

[Daniel Kalal]

Did it run for thirty seconds or so after the fill up and then play up? If so I'd be thinking fuel too. There would still of been 'Good' fuel in the lines to the injectors that would have to be used before the shitty stuff got delivered. If it started and ran for a brief period and then went tits it really sounds like bung fuel.

Pete

No; the behavior began immediately after I paid the bill.  I had to push it from the pump.  Makes it sound electrical--and coincidence.  I'd stopped and started all day (photos and the like).  I guess I should be glad it refused to start at a convenient place--and not a remote 1993 cemetery (which are numerous).

[Vasco DG]

Yeah, that tends to put me off the fuel theory. Is it hot there at the moment?

Pete

[Kiwi_Roy]

At risk of repeating myself

There are 7 fuses I think two are in a different location from the others, did you find all 7, sometimes the gap is almost too small to see. better if you have a meter to test for open.
I  am wondering if the startup is fed from a different fuse to running.
Could the sensor that detects the bike turning over be faulty so it shuts down because it sees no revolutions.
Penderic's Bank angle sensor?

Does the bike have an anti-theft device? for some reason it has a helmet compartment switch.
I'm guessing the switch is some sort of secret disable option. It seems to feed the secondary injection relay and is wired to the RH bar switch.

Logic suggests it was running ok when stopped, between then and now something changed, not like something broke while you were riding.

[canuguzzi]

You said it runs briefly after starting. Will it run if you don't touch the throttle?

OK, raise the tank, get the fuel line off and see if fuel flows constantly. Could he clogged fuel line. A paper clip will help with the detents.

Or, just remove the tank, might be a pita but you can get all the gas out and try a gallon the fresh stuff.

[radguzzi]

Dan'l,
How are you getting on this morning...? 

Best,
Rob

[Daniel Kalal]

Dan'l,
How are you getting on this morning...? 

Best,
Rob

I'm a few hours ahead of most of you.  Today was spent getting the bike on a trailer and then getting to Tuzla.  It's an Aprilia / Guzzi shop, but small.  Owner seems a good sort and speaks English.  Glad )in a way) that the bike wasn't cured in transit.

Their mechanic is out today, and likely tomorrow (a big contract to work city vehicles).  He'll be in Saturday.

Poor Tuzla looks all grey and concrete--as if it's all rebuilt on the quick.  But, I'll have time to explore.

It's always an adventure.

Bosnia is beautiful.  Bosnia towns?  Perhaps not.

[charlie b]

Sorry to hear.  If you get near Montenegro wave to my relatives :)

[radguzzi]

It's always an adventure.

Good deal, just checking in on you, not that I could do anything...   

Sounds as if you have a flexible plan, we will now see more photos of that area.

Safe travels and I hope you get going soon.

Best,
Rob

[Daniel Kalal]

Good deal, just checking in on you, not that I could do anything...   

Sounds as if you have a flexible plan, we will now see more photos of that area.

Safe travels and I hope you get going soon.

Best,
Rob

Yes; if you make no plans (no reservations, no itinerary) it's easy.  Even so, I still need to be back in Mandello because an airline ticket isn't flexible).

[Vasco DG]

The fact that it occurred after a stop makes me think electronic. Heat soak-back has got to something and my cautious diagnosis from here would make the phase sensor the most likely culprit. Another possibility would be the filter hose coming off in the tank. Haven't heard of that happening lately though.

Pete

[Daniel Kalal]

The fact that it occurred after a stop makes me think electronic. Heat soak-back has got to something and my cautious diagnosis from here would make the phase sensor the most likely culprit. Another possibility would be the filter hose coming off in the tank. Haven't heard of that happening lately though.

Pete

I did pull the guts out of the tank.  All looked clean and well.  Meanwhile, I'm having a Laski  lager (Slovenian, but oh well).

[blackcat]

Meanwhile, I'm having a Laski  lager (Slovenian, but oh well).

Hell, a beer and you're not in the middle of nowhere fighting off some critters as it could be worse. I would say take lots of pictures but that is a given.

[Daniel Kalal]

A bad connection at the rpm sensor has fixed the no-start problem.  However, the diagnostic shows a problem with the left HT coil.  Even switching left and right coils returns the error on the left.  The bike does not idle consistently, and dies on occasion.  When it does, it restarts immediately.  Both plugs were black.

New plugs, add oil (another thing that shouldn't be needed just now), cleaned connector and I'm probably good as I'm going to be.  The mechanic is not happy to leave it hanging like this and wants a better resolution from Guzzi.

Agostini mechanics hadn't seen that behavior.  Guzzi support has been given the codes and we wait for their comments.

Meanwhile, it's recommended I steer clear of Serbian border crossings, so I think I'll aim for Montenegro.

Some good conversations about the war and aftermath.  What a f'd up mess it's been here.  One man showed me four bullet entry points.  I asked a young waiter:  Do you want to stay or go?  Go.

[Guzzistajohn]

Quite the adventure Daniel, be safe out there