K11 Owners Group

old guy old bike · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject: Hard starting when cold

Over the last week or so I have noticed the old girl was starting a little bit slow in the morning. Nothing severe, just seemed to need to crank a little longer than usual. This morning it was low 50's and she didn't want to start. When it finally lit it did not want to take any throttle. After about 1 minute everything was fine. Smooth idle and would take throttle. After work it started right up and ran fine. It was 75° and sunny.

As a precaution I have purchased a new set of plugs, although there is only a few thousand miles on the current set. I also intend to run some injector cleaner through it. I really don't think either of those two items are the problem.

I seems like the computer is not thinking the engine is cold and is not giving it the extra fuel it needs. Is there any way for a simpleton to test this? Does the temp sensor tell the Motronic that the engine is cold or that it is warm? I had a temp sensor go bad on a car and the computer just kept dumping fuel to the motor because it thought it was cold. This seems to be just the opposite.

Thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated.
Jeff
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1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

slyderx · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

how young is your battery?

old guy old bike · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Battery is a little over a year old. I keep it on a tender when not riding. I have not noticed any signs of slow cranking. I have not checked the voltage.

Maybe I am being over sensitive but the bike used to start almost as soon as I hit the switch and it still does when warm. It probably took 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 seconds this morning.
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1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

slyderx · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

approach problem with open mind, it must be cranking slower than usual for you? Run a multimeter across the battery first. I had those symptoms but i cannot remember for the life of me whether the coil was the villain or not.i presume you;ve checked fuel and air filters.....

HoosierStu · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject:

I also have a new battery but sometimes the ABS doesn't kick in until I run it for a while and turn the bike off and back on. I assume this is because the voltage isn't quite high enough.

What is an acceptable voltage reading for a battery when the bike isn't running? Mine is now showing 12.64volts. I have not run it for a couple of days.

Thanks, Stu
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

slyderx · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

sounds ok to me. ive the 92 model. when my abs worked the light would go off after a few minutes. then it stopped working altogether and i bought a kawasaki and im much happier.... Smile

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slyderx

K1100LT (1992)
ZRX1200R ( yummy)

endoman100 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:29 pm Post subject:

New Batt did it for me..The ABS prob..
I got a wal-mart batt, just to get her running everything worked great except for the ABS. Got a BMW copy batt and now the ABS works fine.
good luck
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In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

What weight oil are you using?

In colder temps- 50 degrees F or so, heavier oil will really slow down the engine on start-up. I know- I run straight 40w to decrease seal leaks, but colder start-ups are noticeably slower.

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

Try running some Chevron Techron concentrate through it. Can't hurt.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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slyderx · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:15 am Post subject:

looking at old service invoices I see that the mechanic diagnosed a failed engine temperature sensor in my case. It was annoying but worse was yet to come.....
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slyderx

K1100LT (1992)
ZRX1200R ( yummy)

old guy old bike · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

Whoa! way off on the plugs. Had over 13,000 miles on them. Plug change did help some but still not starting like it should. Also running injector cleaner through it to see if that helps.

Battery checks out good. It's an AGM 22 AH with 420 CCA. It is just over 13volts at the battery with the key off and at 12.4 volts with the key on, headlights and 55W aux lights on. I found no corrosion at the connections anywhere.

I run castrol 20w50 oil. What's next.
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods