Wont fire

[Bamabrat]

Rode to work today w no issues. Sick, so went to leave at lunch. When I hit the starter, the bike had a pre-ignition pop then slowly cranked for 3 seconds before dying. Tried again. This time, no fire. The battery is strong, so that's not it. Spark plugs are connected well. Have tools so removed tank. Couldn't find a vacuum line loose or broken. I could hear a lit of air when I was trying to crank it.

Can't do anything now so leaving bike. This is my main mode of transportation. Any ideas are appreciated. Will come back tomorrow with several options (hopefully) on how to fix it.

Background: 2001 1500, 44k miles. Carb. stock intake (still have dual dog bowls). Cobra exhaust. Never had an issue starting. It doesn't like cold, but with choke, takes 4-5 mins or less to warm. Every now /then have a single pre ignition pop and smell fuel. been using 93 fuel and read a thread saying it could cause the pop. This tank, changed to 87. Have 90 miles on the tank. Normally fill up at 110 (I have the small 4 gallon tank). Avg mpg is 38. Every 4th tank, use an additive in fuel to remove Crap. Can't remember which.

Yesterday, replaced rear cylinder coolant/water pipe oring and used silicone to ensure no leak. It didn't on my way here. Also siliconed cam plug. Not leaking either. Removed tank, both bowls and plastic air tube to get to water pipe. Added coolant, brake fluid, and put gas back in tank. Ran like a champ this morning.

Any ideas please. I need some help guys. I live 1 hr away from my bikes current location

http://s1296.photobucket.com/albums/...psa3dd2905.mp4

[dank]

What do you mean by "no fire" the second time? Do you mean the gauges lit up and the motor cranked smoothly, but it didn't start? It cranked slowly again? Gauges lit up but it wouldn't crank at all? Gauges didn't come to life?

[Sin City Stan]

You said the battery was strong. How do you know? I'd check the battery cable connections (both ends, tight and clean) and make sure the battery is "strong".

[cactusjack]

It sure sounds like it's battery related to me. A vacuum leak wouldn't prevent it from cranking, not sure where you were heading with that. Make sure battery cables are clean and tight, and I don't care if you replaced the battery a week ago, have it checked.

[vulcanscott]

Check the intake boot might have popped loose on backfire. just a thought .

[Bamabrat]

I have a voltmeter plugged into my aux socket where I can see it. All of the guages lit up perfectly, and the engine turned over but wouldn't fire. I checked the battery, althought I've worked on wiring a lot lately and know it's clean and secured properly. i'm trying to upload a video to photobucket where you can hear it. Please stay tuned.

[Bamabrat]

See 1st post for link to photobucket clip, then please tell me what you think. Thank you for the help

[id-man]

I had the exact symptoms you describe when my battery died. I do not have a meter like you have (and wouldn't know what I'm looking at anyways), but other than the fact she wouldn't catch, everything seemed normal. The battery did not slow down even after several minutes of cranking. She'd spin the motor fine but apparently did not have enough volts (or is it amps) to do the deed. With a fresh battery she can't start fast enough now...a great feeling. That's all I got - hopefully somebody has a better answer for you but just for giggles, when you go back tomorrow, a fresh battery under one arm wouldn't hurt. Maybe you can pillage one off another ride tor testing purposes. Hell, take a car battery for that matter, to jump it if nothing else.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Bamabrat

See 1st post for link to photobucket clip, then please tell me what you think. Thank you for the help

I get a "video not found" error.

[cactusjack]

Try jump starting it.

[ringadingh]

Check and listen to see if you can hear the fuel pump humming for a few seconds when you first turn on the key, If you don't hear it, the problem is most likely a worn ignition switch. Either take it apart and clean the stuck contact, or replace the switch.

Sometimes turning the key on and off briskly will make contact and you will hear the pump hum.

[Yellow Jacket]

Sounds like it's cranking a little slow to me. What is your voltage meter reading while the starter is cranking? If it drops down to under 10 - 10.5 volts there may not be enough voltage to fire the coils to the spark plugs.

[Rasta]

Battery!

[Bamabrat]

OK, the result is in...I need a new battery. Crap. Thank you. Since it sounded like everything was ok and I use a charger 3-4 times p/week, I thought all was fine. I was a bit skeptical that when I would hook up the charger, it would show "charging" for only a couple minutes, then switch to "charged." I know this is almost like a "what type of oil" question, but does anyone know the type/model of battery I would need? I'll get the wifey to go with me tomorrow, jump my bike (if that's what it is), then I'll ride to the store (any suggestions??) to get a new battery.

Let me ask this question. When I crank it, sometimes the bike goes down as far as 8.5 or 9, but then will crank and be fine and go up to 13.5 - 14+. If i'm stopped at a light, the voltage shows around 12 - 13 with my spotlights on, and 14+ with them off. I have a radio, pigtail for wired gloves, and an accessory port. They all run through my fuse box with a relay. The PO installed a LED strip on the frame bar between my rear fender and each saddlebag, and hooked it up directly to the brake lights. It's not run to the battery or through a relay. Along with the LED's, there is a single LED on each side of the rear tire. Wired the same as the LED strips. All of the negative cables are hooked up to a small 3" ground bar, and I have a 10 guage wire running to the negative battery terminal. I guess I've got too much hooked up to my battery. The PO had the same stuff, minus the gloves, hooked up and had no issues. Maybe they put me over the OK mark and started draining my battery. Should I get an auto-charger that is hooked up all the time and auto cuts off when it's not needed?

[Rasta]

Like it was said earlier,below 10v when cranking the battery is getting week so you proved his point! With the voltage up when running is good news since your charging system is working....it is not saying that is what battery has.For a battery I went with Interstate battery with 20Ah.I now I have it on a thread here some place. When go with your wife to jump it, make sure the car is not running when you jump it since that will be toooo much amperage for the bike coming from the cars charging system.Good luck Jason.