Idle problem

k9sarky · 08-04-2009, 07:50 AM

The bike is an 04 FI with about 5000 miles. On a cold startup the bike starts then idle dips sometimes it dies and sometimes it recovers. If I give some the throttle at startup it will continue to run and after a couple of seconds I can release the throttle and the bike will idle. Not really a problem on warm starts. Is it a sensor problem? The throttle body looks clean. I have run seafoam in the past but not lately. How often should seafoam have be used?

**ringadingh** · 08-04-2009, 07:56 AM

It sure sounds like a dirty throttle body, Id clean it out with some carb cleaner and an old toothbrush. Just spray and scrub everything in there and Im sure it will get better. I clean mine 2-3 times a season. Usually when I notice the idle starting to stumble a bit, its time to clean again. It usually improves the gas mileage also, so the carb cleaner actually pays for itself.

dogdoc · 08-04-2009, 08:15 AM

Mine did the same thing and it was warm idle set too low.

trosco · 08-04-2009, 08:42 AM

On my 07 Nad, my experience is; First, do the throttle body about every other oil change. I have a hyper charger intake and K&N filter so I don't know if my TB gets dirty quicker than other or not but I would say cleaning the TB once a year is a absolute minimum. Second, I know the manual says to set the warm idle at 900 +/- 50 but I had a couple mech.'s express opinion that is a bit slow for the FI bikes. I've played with my idle and my bike starts better and runs better (cold and hot) with the warm idle set around 1050 so that's where I run mine.

dogdoc · 08-04-2009, 12:43 PM

I agree these Nomads like a faster idle.

k9sarky · 08-04-2009, 04:19 PM

Thanks guys, I'll clean the throttle body and bump the idle speed up a little until it improves. Without a tach it's hard to know when it's right.

macmac · 08-04-2009, 08:34 PM

All stock bike? Engine wise?

k9sarky · 08-05-2009, 07:14 AM

Yep, except debaffle it's absolutely stock.

macmac · 08-05-2009, 08:39 AM

Pull the right side air filter looking cover off. There is no filter there. But there are 2 idle solenoid controlls (ISC's) Leave the cover (dog bowl off) start the engine and see if these 2 units click and clatter.. They should be noisey as all get out with no dog bowl over them.

k9sarky · 08-06-2009, 07:36 AM

O yeah mac, it has the rattle. Like a can of marbles on a gravel road.

dabull · 08-06-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Pull the right side air filter looking cover off. There is no filter there. But there are 2 idle solenoid controlls (ISC's) Leave the cover (dog bowl off) start the engine and see if these 2 units click and clatter.. They should be noisey as all get out with no dog bowl over them.

can these things get stuck "on"?

dogdoc · 08-06-2009, 07:53 PM

never heard of it.

macmac · 08-06-2009, 08:05 PM

Probably not, but they will work at times when there is a demand for more air hot. Mine are in a card board box.. i was wondering if these might be the noise. I guess not. or the fault.. My best guess is base idle is set overly low.

That and the T Plate has living crudlings adheared to it.

08-04-2009, 07:50 AM	#1
k9sarky Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 167	Idle problem The bike is an 04 FI with about 5000 miles. On a cold startup the bike starts then idle dips sometimes it dies and sometimes it recovers. If I give some the throttle at startup it will continue to run and after a couple of seconds I can release the throttle and the bike will idle. Not really a problem on warm starts. Is it a sensor problem? The throttle body looks clean. I have run seafoam in the past but not lately. How often should seafoam have be used? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-04-2009, 07:56 AM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Idle problem It sure sounds like a dirty throttle body, Id clean it out with some carb cleaner and an old toothbrush. Just spray and scrub everything in there and Im sure it will get better. I clean mine 2-3 times a season. Usually when I notice the idle starting to stumble a bit, its time to clean again. It usually improves the gas mileage also, so the carb cleaner actually pays for itself. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-04-2009, 08:15 AM	#3
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Idle problem Mine did the same thing and it was warm idle set too low.
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08-04-2009, 08:42 AM	#4
trosco Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,464	Idle problem On my 07 Nad, my experience is; First, do the throttle body about every other oil change. I have a hyper charger intake and K&N filter so I don't know if my TB gets dirty quicker than other or not but I would say cleaning the TB once a year is a absolute minimum. Second, I know the manual says to set the warm idle at 900 +/- 50 but I had a couple mech.'s express opinion that is a bit slow for the FI bikes. I've played with my idle and my bike starts better and runs better (cold and hot) with the warm idle set around 1050 so that's where I run mine. __________________ trosco: just call me Ross 2007 Black & Titanium Nomad (Nomad made 65K but got replaced 2014) 2010 Titanium Goldwing 2014 KLR 650 New Edition
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08-04-2009, 12:43 PM	#5
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Idle problem I agree these Nomads like a faster idle. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-04-2009, 04:19 PM	#6
k9sarky Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 167	Idle problem Thanks guys, I'll clean the throttle body and bump the idle speed up a little until it improves. Without a tach it's hard to know when it's right.
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08-04-2009, 08:34 PM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Idle problem All stock bike? Engine wise? __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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08-05-2009, 07:14 AM	#8
k9sarky Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 167	Idle problem Yep, except debaffle it's absolutely stock.
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08-05-2009, 08:39 AM	#9
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Idle problem Pull the right side air filter looking cover off. There is no filter there. But there are 2 idle solenoid controlls (ISC's) Leave the cover (dog bowl off) start the engine and see if these 2 units click and clatter.. They should be noisey as all get out with no dog bowl over them. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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08-06-2009, 07:36 AM	#10
k9sarky Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 167	Idle problem O yeah mac, it has the rattle. Like a can of marbles on a gravel road.
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08-06-2009, 07:53 PM	#12
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Idle problem never heard of it.
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08-06-2009, 08:05 PM	#13
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Idle problem Probably not, but they will work at times when there is a demand for more air hot. Mine are in a card board box.. i was wondering if these might be the noise. I guess not. or the fault.. My best guess is base idle is set overly low. That and the T Plate has living crudlings adheared to it. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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