No start after washing bike

Gravydog · 06-09-2015, 09:59 PM

So I've had my Nomad for just over a month, and put about 1000 trouble free miles on, well today I decided to give it a good bath(it still had last years bugs on it when I got it). I'm talking saddle bags off, seats off, windshield off, degrease wheels, scrub, scrub, scrub, and a coat of wax kind of a bath. Well I must have gotten something too wet, cuz when I was done washing she wouldn't start, just crank, I could hear the fuel pump, I didn't check, but acted like no spark. So after sitting for about 45min. it finally did start, ran real rough for a bit, but now seems fine.
Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and what was the problem, makes me wonder what will happen if I get caught in a downpour? Any ideas? Thanks.

**ringadingh** · 06-09-2015, 10:08 PM

I'd guess that the plug wires got wet. Mine got so bad a couple years ago that it wouldn't start in the rain anymore. New wires fixed it right up.

duffy · 06-09-2015, 10:20 PM

I've washed my 1500 twice and both times I had to let it set for about an hour before it would start. Now I just clean it with Pledge and call it good. I've never had a problem with riding in the rain and I've ridden quite a few times in downpours.

Ridefree · 06-09-2015, 10:42 PM

I would have to agree with Ringadingh , when I got my 2001 1500FI 4 years ago the plug wires were so bad I'd get sparks all over the place . I ran into the same problem , would not start . I changed everything from the coils to the boots and have had no problem since . You can just change the wires but I'd do the boots as well .

Gravydog · 06-09-2015, 10:48 PM

Yeah, it's a 2001 and they are probably the original wires, I'll start looking for a set

roadhawg · 06-09-2015, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffy

I've washed my 1500 twice and both times I had to let it set for about an hour before it would start. Now I just clean it with Pledge and call it good. I've never had a problem with riding in the rain and I've ridden quite a few times in downpours.

Yes, like i have always said No water on my bike! Pledge works just fine!

**cnc** · 06-09-2015, 11:18 PM

I agree with Steve, plug wires. Start your bike in the dark and spray water on the wires with a pump spray bottle, you will probably see arcing.

mick56 · 06-10-2015, 03:12 AM

Taking the seat off and then washing it probably got water into all the electric's under there,not a good idea. I give mine a hose down before a good lash of washing up liquid/water mix with a sponge,then hose it down again,ive never had a problem.

**MAS Tequila** · 06-10-2015, 05:21 AM

I changed the end caps on mine.

I had the same thing happen in the rain a couple times.

Once I had to extend my stay in Myrtle Beach because it rained all night, the cover blew to the side, and the bike wouldn't start until later in the afternoon.

Since changing the end caps I've had no problems.

MT

06-09-2015, 09:59 PM	#1
Gravydog Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Canton Ohio Posts: 8	No start after washing bike So I've had my Nomad for just over a month, and put about 1000 trouble free miles on, well today I decided to give it a good bath(it still had last years bugs on it when I got it). I'm talking saddle bags off, seats off, windshield off, degrease wheels, scrub, scrub, scrub, and a coat of wax kind of a bath. Well I must have gotten something too wet, cuz when I was done washing she wouldn't start, just crank, I could hear the fuel pump, I didn't check, but acted like no spark. So after sitting for about 45min. it finally did start, ran real rough for a bit, but now seems fine. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and what was the problem, makes me wonder what will happen if I get caught in a downpour? Any ideas? Thanks. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-09-2015, 10:08 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I'd guess that the plug wires got wet. Mine got so bad a couple years ago that it wouldn't start in the rain anymore. New wires fixed it right up. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-09-2015, 10:48 PM	#5
Gravydog Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Canton Ohio Posts: 8	Yeah, it's a 2001 and they are probably the original wires, I'll start looking for a set Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-09-2015, 11:18 PM	#7
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	I agree with Steve, plug wires. Start your bike in the dark and spray water on the wires with a pump spray bottle, you will probably see arcing. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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06-10-2015, 03:12 AM	#8
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	Taking the seat off and then washing it probably got water into all the electric's under there,not a good idea. I give mine a hose down before a good lash of washing up liquid/water mix with a sponge,then hose it down again,ive never had a problem. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
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06-09-2015, 10:20 PM	#3
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	I've washed my 1500 twice and both times I had to let it set for about an hour before it would start. Now I just clean it with Pledge and call it good. I've never had a problem with riding in the rain and I've ridden quite a few times in downpours.
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06-09-2015, 10:42 PM	#4
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	I would have to agree with Ringadingh , when I got my 2001 1500FI 4 years ago the plug wires were so bad I'd get sparks all over the place . I ran into the same problem , would not start . I changed everything from the coils to the boots and have had no problem since . You can just change the wires but I'd do the boots as well .
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06-10-2015, 05:21 AM	#9
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	I changed the end caps on mine. I had the same thing happen in the rain a couple times. Once I had to extend my stay in Myrtle Beach because it rained all night, the cover blew to the side, and the bike wouldn't start until later in the afternoon. Since changing the end caps I've had no problems. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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