Help : XB12r Won't start after winter storage

[Gareth]

CAn anyone please give me some advice. My bike was serviced just before winter and was running fine before I took the battery off and put it up for the winter. I added fuel stabilizer as well. Today I put the battery back on, changed the air filter and have tried to start it. It turns over but will not fire...any suggestions as I am getting pretty P......d off. Really wanted to go out the afternoon. Thanks

[mowgoli84]

plugs?!

[Gareth]

Yeah I would have thought that also but the plugs were new last year at the time of service., only done around 400K. I had a big bill from Harley so its annoying for sure.

[Gareth]

Actually the starter is turning but I am not sure it is actually turning the motor. I only had the bike in October last year and did not get to use it much before I had to put it away so I am a bit lost. All the dash lights it just wont start.

[TooFst]

What's the temperature?? My bike dosent want to start in like the 40's sometimes. I've had to put a little space heater next to my oil tank/ swingarm to get it to start in the past. Good luck

[Gareth]

Ahh...actually its not very warm in the garage so I will give it a go. Good suggestion! Thanks

[RT Performance]

When u turn the key on do you here the fuel pump buzz?
Also did you unplug the temp sensor when u did the air filter?

[Gareth]

Yeah the fuel pump does buzz. I did not disconnect any sensor when I changed the filter. I just moved the top breath hose, slid in the new filter and then clamped it back down. What do I look for? Thanks

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

it could one of a few things, one being,..
it sounds like it maybe the battery maybe does not have enough Juice.
if it is turning but not good enough..
the Buell V-twin needs a strong battery, ..
the buell and most big V_Twins needs lots of volts power to turn over buells need at LEAST 12.8+ volts to turn starter good enough ( u might get lucky with 12.5volts) if it is under 12.4 volts you will have a hard time starting it . i.e. longer starting time or NO START. thats why buells and hd and other vtwin bikes sell them with battery charger & cords attached.
..

did you check the plug wires, makes sure they are ok and on completely on the plug and on the coil ,
and no mouse has chewed them up, and look for any other mice damage (if left where there is any possobility of mice).


double check your battery teminals fo loose or broken connections.

is it turn the engine but not starting or is it turn the engine over but does not start?? need to which one to get the check list of what it could be...

what has the temp been where the Bueel is and what is the temp now??

tripped bank sensor?? turn key to OFF, wait 15 seconds, & then back to IGN again to start the buell..


here is more list for you..

Starter Motor Does Not Operate or Does
Not Turn Engine Over
1. Engine stop switch in OFF position.
2. Ignition key switch not ON.
3. Discharged battery or loose or corroded connections.
(Solenoid chatters.)
4. Starter control relay or solenoid not functioning.
5. Electric starter shaft pinion gear not engaging or overrunning
clutch slipping.
6. Clutch lever not pulled in. Vehicle in gear.
7. Starter interlock circuit malfunction.


Engine Turns Over But Does Not Start
NOTE
See 4.11 ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START for specific
tests.
1. Fuel tank empty.
2. Discharged battery, loose or broken battery terminal connections.
3. Fouled spark plugs.
4. Loose or shorting spark plug cables or connections.
5. Ignition timing badly out of adjustment.
6. Loose wire connection at coil or battery connection or
plug between ignition sensor and module. See Section 4.
7. Ignition coil not functioning.
8. Ignition module not functioning.
9. Ignition sensor not functioning.
10. Sticking or damaged valve or valves.
11. Engine oil too heavy (winter operation).
12. Ignition circuit interlock malfunction.
13. No output from the ECM. See dealer.
14. Inadequate fuel pressure in fuel lines (possible leak).
15. Clogged fuel filter.
16. Clogged fuel injectors.
17. Tripped bank angle sensor. Turn key to OFF, wait 15 seconds,
and then back to IGN again to start bike.
18. TP Sensor/fast idle screw not set properly. See dealer.
19. No output from CMP sensor. See dealer.
20. Inoperative fuel pump.



for more in depth test specific and flow chart see section 4.11 in the service manuals, here at BUELL Service Manuals (http://www.gigaboogie.com/buell/manuals/Buell-Firebolt-Service-Manual.pdf) or in the link at top of page too.

[Gareth]

Wow thanks NativeXB12Rbuell and the link to the service manual, I am going to be busy today. The bike has been stored in my garage over the winter and its in Canada so the temperatures have been pretty cold. The bike has synthetic oil in it. The temperature yesterday was around 40's. I used a heater later in the day to warm the oil in the swing arm as suggested but no difference. I am going to check the plugs today also but am now starting to think that the starter is not properly engaging either. Initially it was trying to turn over but now it just sounds like a loud tapping noise.

The battery has been stored in the furnace room over the winter and on a battery tender so it has lots of juice and while I was doing other things yesterday I kept putting it back on charge so its good to go.

So i will take off the starter and see if it needs cleaning, it should be OK as the bike is only 2009 and look at the plugs and will let you know.

I tried to upload some pics yesterday but they seem bigger than 2mb so they wont load. I will have to try a different format. I have a custom rider and pillion saddle I had made by Corbin that a few may be interested in. I am really pleased with them anyway.

[Macbuell]

Loud tapping is weak battery. Get it charged and try again with a heater on it.

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

here is a video listen to him try to start it, does it make the tapping/CLICKING noise , YES or NO ??
if YES then it is the battery is either bad and needs replaced or to weak to start the V-Twin and needs recharged !!

fast forward it to 1:03.
L8yLFj0UUjc&feature=related

if you get that noise just buy a good small automatic trickle charger and let it charge it over night, or when the charger says it is charged then try to start it again.

.batterychargers.com--> 6V/12V Speed TrickleCharger (http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=94026849)is a good charger and this is what I use , and you can buy the same charger from most auotparts stores.


here is good videos with some good battery tips & info.

vLkA6tHm5eg

8Ledd8WHCKg&feature=related



.................................................. .................................................. ..............


and remember this too:

Whats-the-best-battery-for-my-XB12 (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Lightning-XB12S-XB12Ss-CityX-XB12Scg/Whats-the-best-battery-for-my-XB12)
Battery-of-choice (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Lightning-XB12S-XB12Ss-CityX-XB12Scg/Battery-of-choice)
Battery- info --> BuellXB.com thread (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/Battery-Acid-Refill.-Gel-Batteries-on-ebay.)

another MAJOR thing that some dont understand why batteries dont last long in V-Twins and your buells is because the 3 things that kill a batery FAST is cold(i.e. winter storage) and HEAT & VIBRATION which buells are very hot running and lots of vibration and then there is also not charging battery to well from the motorcycles' charging system , the buell and most big V_Twins needs lots of volts power to turn over buells need at LEAST 12.8+ volts to turn starter good enough ( u might get lucky with 12.5volts) if it is under 12.4 volts you will have a hard time starting it . i.e. longer starting time or NO START. thats why buells and hd and other vtwin bikes sell them with battery charger & cords attached.

[Andrew88M]

I had the same problem 2 winters ago. pull your plugs and check them for fouling. take carb cleaner spray your plugs and clean with a tooth brush then regap, reinstall and that should work if everything else is good, i.e. battery, fuel pump and gas in the tank.

[rrh481]

If your battery doesn't have enough juice and you keep cranking your bike over, you will foul out your plugs very quickly. I fouled my plugs out within 10 min and I had your exact problem.

[Gareth]

Thanks everyone for all the advise but I am going to have to come clean and tell you what I found after spending most of Sunday stripping my bike down. After it still would not go I decided to tidy up the garage and plugged in the battery charger/ tender. It was then that I noticed it said "OUTPUT 6V"!!!!!! What a dumb ass!!!!!! I bought the charger for my GSXR and so the battery has been plugged in all winter with a 6V charger. I bought a new one from Canadian Tire and guess what after a few splutters it started...........Of course it would do when the battery is charged. Been out on it tonight after work so now a very happy boy.

Moral of this story is if I ever ask for help again, just ignore me. I am a professional who tells people what to do with their businesses but cannot get even a battery charger right.

Thanks again for all the help.