the engine doesnt want to start

[hellogrish]

hello there,

guys, I really need your help
some days ago my Paso started to turn the engine off when I stop at crossroads,
I had to turn the lights off and start the engine again...

but from today I have problems with starting the engine. when I turn the lights off
and push the "start" button - the engine doesnt start...

SOMETIMES it helps when I turn the key off, and turn it on... then push "the start"

and sometimes (what is really weird) I have to turn the key off, turn the wheel left (!),
turn the key on and then it works... but it happens that I have to wait some time to start
the engine... dont know why...

(strange thing with that wheel - last time, when the key was on, the fuel level gauge was
not working - but I had only to turn the wheel left, and suddenly it started showing the fuel level)

it seems that`s not problem with "start" button, but with ignition switch
as when I turn the key on, the engine and all controls do not react...

in my last topic I write about oil leaking... can it be connected?



cheers!

[paso750]

not likely that the problems are connected.
If turning the steering makes some change check all connections and connectors in the front. It might be that the fork thouches some wires and while doing this cuts a connection or creates one.

Pull the thin red wire that goes to the starter relais, Do you have 12V when you push the start button, do you have 12V at the coils ? Are all ground connections in the front ok ? (when you remove the tank you see a round black rubber "thing" and on the opposite side, on the bottom side of the frame you have one of the main ground points.)

Have you tried to remove the ignition switch and shortwire the bike ?
I always have a cable with crocodile clips with the Paso. The ignition switch also failed once and it took only a few minutes to bypass it. If it is the switch it`s not so difficult to open and clean it.

G.

[hellogrish]

thanks for your answer, but let`s start from the beginning - why the engine turns off while im stopping the bike?

you know, the problem with ignition switch (and starting the bike) is ONLY after the engine suddenly turned off.

I do not have problems with starting the bike in normal situations (like starting from parking)

you see, I`m trying to stop/slow the bike, the engine turn off, I turn the key "off", and turn it "on" again - now all controls should light up and engine should start giving a sound... but i doesnt...

[paso750]

why the engine turns off while im stopping the bike?

difficult to say from the distance. Are you sure the engine stops running due to an electrical problem excluding that it does it due to fuel starvation, carburation or other problem ? Battery is fully charged an regulator/rectifier is ok ? You`ll need to exclude things step by step as I´m sure noone will be able to tell you in one sentence what the exact cause is that`s creating the problem.

[Skins]

It may be that without the vibration of the bike moving, the tank is not pressing down on the earthing unit (the black 'thing' mentioned by Paso750) under the tank, causing it to break contact. The fact that you were able to get the bike started after turning the bars to the left suggests that the problem may be with the earthing unit.

Take the tank off (carefully if you've never done it before - there are are fuel and electrical lines and connections you might break if you're not careful), find the round black 'thing' that sits on the frame at the top under the front of the tank (it might even fall free when you take the tank off and might even fall between the cylinders) and see how it holds several wires earthed onto the frame, then figure out how to make the assembly more secure. I use a small rubber band.

[hellogrish]

thanks for your help!

I`ve got more details: now it really seems that there is sth wrong with the wheel.
today morning when I turn the key on, the wheel was straight, I turn the wheel left
and then was turning it back very slowly to straight position - when it reached the straight
position the bike cut connection. but then I turn the wheel right - connection came back

but, when I turn the wheel rapidly - from left to right - the connections is also cut (when
the wheel reaches the straight position) but the moving is so fast that connection came back
unnoticed.


it makes sense - when I was riding there was no problem, but when I wanted to stop the bike
I was making very slow movements and the connections was cut....

anyway, with that details - is it still problem with earthing unit?

cheers!!

[Skins]

Yes. The earthing unit is the first thing I would check. You might be able to get the same effects by banging down or pressing down on the tank with ingition key turned to on, and you might be able to feel the bottom on the earthing unit with a finger if you put your hand under the front of the tank, in the middle, under the frame just behind the steering head. You should feel a small metal cup up under the front of the tank. Press on the cup with a finger of your left hand, and down on the tank with your right hand to make the earthing unit work.

[paso750]

Skins,

the tank is not pressing down on the earthing unit (the black 'thing' mentioned by Paso750) under the tank, causing it to break contact.

I actually don`t understand what the tank has to do with the ground connection when you press it down or not. Maybe I misunderstood. The ground connections are on the bottom side of that frame part so if there`s a tank or not doesn`t make any difference.

I would also check the connection of the ignition switch as that is mounted to the upper triple clamp and while steering its wiring harness is constantly moving. A connection interrupt could be also there.

G.

[Skins]

The earth wires are held in place by the metal cup which is on the end of a small tube which is a friction fit into the round black rubber tank rest. The cup holds the wires up in contact with the frame behind the steering head. The small tube fits through a hole in a plate on the frame into the 'thing' which the tank is sitting on (the wires contact the bottom of the plate) so moving the tank moves the earth connection. As standard, it's a rather flimsy arrangement.

[Desmo_Demon]

I would also check the connection of the ignition switch as that is mounted to the upper triple clamp and while steering its wiring harness is constantly moving. A connection interrupt could be also there.

I agree with this....It could be loose or slightly corroded on a contact, and each time you turn the handlebars, you are breaking the contact in the connector.....or maybe even the switch itself. I've seen broken wires inside of a good-looking insulation where the wire will momentarily make contact when the wire is positioned in a particular position.

[hellogrish]

hello there,

problem solved.
the red cable from the battery to ignition switch was damaged

thanks for help guys!

[paso750]

good to hear !

[PAS088]

Had a similar problem. It was the ignition wiring shorting out. This could explain why, when you turn your bars left it runs. The left turn could be making the correct connection....repair/rewire ignition.

[jcslocum]

Hello PASO88!!!

Where in Westchester are you and are you a member of the local club?

Jon from Dutchess County.