Fuel pump running problem

[Italianjob74]

Here is the deal, and this could be multiple problems. I pulled this poor girl from the depths of hell. Here it goes first off it has had the servo removed running d&d exhaust. It backfires on deceleration and seems to loadup at idle I don't think the ECM has been reprogrammed. Today on a ride, still shaking it down, it died and would hardly start, once going i had to hold the idle around 2k to keep it going at a stop. Once i got going all seemed fine, but i was running it hard. After getting home the idle problem went away. Here is another thing, when I turn the ignition on the fuel pump primes like it should but then goes to a lower pitch after pressurized and continues to run. I am not sure what it is doing once started because I can't hear it. If I don't start it, it continues to run and then I smell gas. Putting it through its paces it does fine. Any help would we appreciate. Thank you, Brandon

 

[Italianjob74]

Forgot to add, 05 xb12scg, it shows engine light after a few seconds of running and the fuel light comes on

 

[Silverrider]

get a stock ECM for that year . is a place to start .Unless you are good at remapping. http://buellmods.com/

 

[Italianjob74]

Question is why does the fuel pump keep running, my last xb would stop as soon as it was pressurized, as did my Ducati, but this one continuesto run

 

[tomahawk1976]

Mine continues to run as well, was told the wires of the fuel pump are notorious for getting rubbed raw. Bought a little fuel pump fix it kit off e-bay but haven't pulled the pump and got going on it yet

 

[Cooter]

The pump running with the bike not running is wrong and needs to be diagnosed but it still shouldn't put fuel in the cylinders because the injectors aren't activated. It will just cycle the fuel through the regulator and back to the tank.

 

[njloco]

Could the injectors be leaking, and that is why the pump keeps running ?

 

[Cooter]

They would both have to be wide open to not have the pump at least cycle on/off, and the cylinders would fill with fuel and hydrolock in no time

Probably chaffed wires on the pump assembly or a sticking fuel pump relay.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Sounds like your issue is with the fuel pump. I had the same exact issue about 5 or 6 years ago. I pulled the pump, and used some heat shrink that was fuel rated to fix a frayed wire and the problem has been gone!
I would suggest replacing the fuel filter and fuel sock while you’re in there.
Google search “Buell xb fuel pump replacement” and you should find all the info you need.
I found all the parts I needed at my local AutoParts store.
Here’s a little tip while you have the pump out; use a file to round all the sharp edges on the fuel pump body. At least all the edges that make contact with wires. Should help you to stay fuel pump trouble free for a while
Good luck

 

[njloco]

While we're at this subject, do any of you think it would pay to remove a good running fuel pump to take care of the sharp areas and put shrink wrap on the wires before it has this problem ?

 

[user_deleted]

While we're at this subject, do any of you think it would pay to remove a good running fuel pump to take care of the sharp areas and put shrink wrap on the wires before it has this problem ?

no.
you'll know it kenny when pump needs to come out for servicing. will start to groan loudly.....OR....fuel sensor will go bad and you won't get "low fuel/odometer count up" sequence......OR....pump will start to blow the 10 amp fuse. THEN it will need to be removed and serviced.
the gray colored feed wire is what they're referring to with chafing. perhaps only 10% develop the problem.

 

[njloco]

O.k. John, thanks for your prompt response, both bikes are running very well at the present time.

 

[Cooter]

IMHO, If I buy a bike with low mileage, then I know it's been sitting.

So, I drain the tank, and of course pull the pump to change the filter and sock because duh:
https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...ll-fuel-filter-kit-1999-2002-x1-s3-models-kit

I wouldn't do it 'just because', but since the assembly is in my hand I check the wires and heat shrink them.

I love Buells because their simplicity and reliability are off the chart, but since a motorcycle is usually a toy, us humans look for things to fiddle with that don't necessarily need fiddling.

NJ: You could do it, and if that lets you sleep an night its worth it, But I'm with Lunatic on this one. You'll get plenty of warning if you are one of the very few affected.

 

[Italianjob74]

Thanks for the responses, I'll get into this, update when I find out.

 

[ocgreenmachine]

I had the exact problem and at first I thought it was the fuel pump... Jacob Stark from Motoenthusiasts and I pulled the pump and when we did a pressure check on the unit, I had two holes in the plastic flexible hose that goes from the regulator to the pump. The plastic wears out over time and if you spring a leak, your pump will continue to pump to try to keep the pressure where it needs to be after initial priming. The hose is cheap. Jacob can point you in the right direction for a replacement, and you can watch my channel on youtube (Buellmachine) for pump assembly removal if you are doing it yourself.

 

[Italianjob74]

Crazy thing, for whatever reason the problem has went away. I'm sure it will reappear leaving me to believe there is a short somewhere. Did a plug change, ordered a Buelltooth, going to load a new map and go throughthe system make sure I'm starting at zero and go from there

 

[Chicknstripn]

I would plan on pulling the pump.
I would do it this weekend before something truely goes south and you are left stranded somewhere. OR even worse, you crash because you unexpectedly lose engine power.

 

[Italianjob74]

Very true, there is hiccup at no load, just blipping the throttle, going to do a TPS reset, load up correct map for my set up, fuel light is always on, so I'm thinking in going to get it all sorted out from the ecm, then pull pump out checkit out, thanks for all the help, I'll keep you updated

 

[Chicknstripn]

If your fuel light is always on then you definitely have a frayed wire on your fuel pump. That issue can only be fixed by pulling the pump.
Also, blipping the throttle on a static Buell will only foul your plugs. Let the bike warm up, ride it a bit, and only blip to rev match on down shifts. No point in blipping the throttle on a fuel injected bike, when it’s sitting still, and the engine is still cold.
I would fix the fuel pump before loading any maps or anything else. If the fuel pump isn’t working properly you’ll just be compondeing issues by loading different maps.
That’s my advice.
Good luck

 

[JeffY]

I had a issue with my pump running all the time, I had a check engine light come on and the code was fuel pump short to ground (or something like that) I found a wire in the harness that rubbed against the ground terminal on my battery.