New to site, New to Kawasakis

Dread · 06-11-2015, 12:35 PM

Hi Guys

New to the site and this is my first post. Recently inherited a 2002 Vulcan Nomad that has sat for 7 years under a cover outside. Shes in pretty rough shape. The first question I have about it is should there be the click of a fuel pump relay when I turn the ignition on? I suspect the fuel pump is seized up as it has sat with a half tank of gas for over 7 years, but I don't even hear a relay click. Can someone tell me if I should be able to hear the relay?

recumbentbob · 06-11-2015, 01:42 PM

Welcome.
Is the battery fully charged?
With a good battery the fuel pump will hum or whine easy to hear.

I hope you got a good deal

**MAS Tequila** · 06-11-2015, 02:23 PM

Like Bob said, it will hum for 3-5 seconds.

Has the fuel turned to varnish?

I would remove the tank to get the pump out, then attach power directly and go from there.

If it's varnished up, it'll be a pain but it can be cleaned.

Welcome aboard. I'm on the opposite coast.

MT

**ringadingh** · 06-11-2015, 04:48 PM

Welcome, also, the ignition switch may have sticking contacts inside and keep the fuel pump from turning on. Mine did that, but i found that if I turn the key briskly in the ignition it usually made contact and I would hear the fuel pump whine for a couple seconds, then it would start.

Dread · 06-11-2015, 11:23 PM

Thanks for the replies fellas!

Fresh battery for sure but no noise at all out of the fuel pump. All of my other bikes are fuel injected and im pretty handy so I was fully expecting hearing the fuel pump whine. The gas is beyond varnish and is a lot like wood stain now so I am hoping the fuel pump just needs a good vinegar bath. I will take it out and see. Anyone know if there should be a relay click? Tank also has some rust around the filler neck on the inside and I guess I am gonna take it off and clean it and cream coat it to keep me from having problems from junk in the tank later. Also, does anyone know where the fuel pump relay is located :)

Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it!

by the way...as far as getting a good deal, it was given to me for free. the paints still in great shape and this will be a great bike when I get it sorted out

hlknvlcn60 · 06-12-2015, 01:59 PM

That would be the first thing I would do before even trying to run the bike if old gummy fuel has been in the tank for 7 years......I would pull the tank, and the pump out of the tank and completely clean both to spotlessness with some mineral spirits. Then back together, fresh fuel with a can of injector cleaner added, then start, run and ride.

recumbentbob · 06-12-2015, 02:09 PM

IMHO On bike thst has sat for 7 years outside under a cover All the fluids need to be changed b4 riding it including the oil.

Dread · 06-13-2015, 07:05 PM

Yes absolutely. The gas tank was just the first thing. all fluids, oil, filters, plugs, everything....going to freshen it well up before she moves. since all the chromes wasted, I am removing it all for a trip to the powder coaters. Its gonna be a process :)

recumbentbob · 06-13-2015, 08:14 PM

Powder coating is really good and plasti dip spray works good too

06-11-2015, 12:35 PM	#1
Dread Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 9	New to site, New to Kawasakis Hi Guys New to the site and this is my first post. Recently inherited a 2002 Vulcan Nomad that has sat for 7 years under a cover outside. Shes in pretty rough shape. The first question I have about it is should there be the click of a fuel pump relay when I turn the ignition on? I suspect the fuel pump is seized up as it has sat with a half tank of gas for over 7 years, but I don't even hear a relay click. Can someone tell me if I should be able to hear the relay? __________________ 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (The Betty) 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa (The Short Bus) 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (Norman) 2001 Honda Interceptor (Scarlet) 2000 Suzuki TL1000R (Stella) Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by Dread; 06-11-2015 at 12:47 PM.
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06-11-2015, 01:42 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Welcome. Is the battery fully charged? With a good battery the fuel pump will hum or whine easy to hear. I hope you got a good deal __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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06-11-2015, 02:23 PM	#3
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Like Bob said, it will hum for 3-5 seconds. Has the fuel turned to varnish? I would remove the tank to get the pump out, then attach power directly and go from there. If it's varnished up, it'll be a pain but it can be cleaned. Welcome aboard. I'm on the opposite coast. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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06-11-2015, 04:48 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Welcome, also, the ignition switch may have sticking contacts inside and keep the fuel pump from turning on. Mine did that, but i found that if I turn the key briskly in the ignition it usually made contact and I would hear the fuel pump whine for a couple seconds, then it would start. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-11-2015, 11:23 PM	#5
Dread Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 9	Thanks for the replies fellas! Fresh battery for sure but no noise at all out of the fuel pump. All of my other bikes are fuel injected and im pretty handy so I was fully expecting hearing the fuel pump whine. The gas is beyond varnish and is a lot like wood stain now so I am hoping the fuel pump just needs a good vinegar bath. I will take it out and see. Anyone know if there should be a relay click? Tank also has some rust around the filler neck on the inside and I guess I am gonna take it off and clean it and cream coat it to keep me from having problems from junk in the tank later. Also, does anyone know where the fuel pump relay is located :) Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it! by the way...as far as getting a good deal, it was given to me for free. the paints still in great shape and this will be a great bike when I get it sorted out __________________ 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (The Betty) 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa (The Short Bus) 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (Norman) 2001 Honda Interceptor (Scarlet) 2000 Suzuki TL1000R (Stella) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-12-2015, 01:59 PM	#6
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	That would be the first thing I would do before even trying to run the bike if old gummy fuel has been in the tank for 7 years......I would pull the tank, and the pump out of the tank and completely clean both to spotlessness with some mineral spirits. Then back together, fresh fuel with a can of injector cleaner added, then start, run and ride. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors.
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06-12-2015, 02:09 PM	#7
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	IMHO On bike thst has sat for 7 years outside under a cover All the fluids need to be changed b4 riding it including the oil. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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06-13-2015, 07:05 PM	#8
Dread Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 9	Yes absolutely. The gas tank was just the first thing. all fluids, oil, filters, plugs, everything....going to freshen it well up before she moves. since all the chromes wasted, I am removing it all for a trip to the powder coaters. Its gonna be a process :) __________________ 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (The Betty) 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa (The Short Bus) 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (Norman) 2001 Honda Interceptor (Scarlet) 2000 Suzuki TL1000R (Stella)
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06-13-2015, 08:14 PM	#9
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Powder coating is really good and plasti dip spray works good too __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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