K11 Owners Group

sccommuter · Last edited by sccommuter on Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:40 am; edited 2 times in total

Just back from a 3 day ride and on the last morning the bike wouldn't fire. First thing I checked was side stand. Cycled it a few times and tried again-no joy. Next I jumped the kill switch at the connector. Still wouldn't fire. Fuses were all good. The fuel pump is not energizing. Started to get a little frustrated when I remembered someone on here saying a couple of good whacks on the side of the tank had worked for them. So I try it and viola it energizes! Ride about 80 miles. Next fuel stop the bike fires but dies after a couple of seconds. Hit the starter button again and same thing. Cuss, kick dirt and wait 5 minutes. Bike fires right up and had no more issues going home. Don't want to be stranded on next trip so where do I start. Fuel pump? Relay? Connector? Suggestions?
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 1:17 pm Post subject:

Check and clean the large multi-pin motronic connector. That one bit me more that once.......

Also the 4pin connector at the right rear of the fuel tank is a known weak point. Some have even gone so far as to replace it with a 4pin flat trailer type connector.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

sccommuter · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 4:04 pm Post subject:

Pulled them apart and they looked nice and clean, but gave them a good cleaning anyway. Bike is idling as I type this. First time I tried starting the bike this morning it wouldn't fire. Came back an hour later and fired right up. Hard to diagnose a fault in something that is working. Time will tell. Thanks for the input.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Jim · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:00 pm Post subject:

You ever spray any cleaner/contact restorer in the sidestand switch? Probably a good idea. Same with the kill switch - just in case...

If you can easily pop the tank off, look carefully at the white plastic where the wires go through to the fuel level sending unit. If there is any discoloration (probably near the center), that could be an indication of a failed or failing connection that's arcing inside the plastic bit. A few of us have had that problem.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject:

sccommuter · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:09 pm Post subject:

Jim, I'll pull the tank again tomorrow and have a look. I thought WD-40 was your preferred spray Wink

. I'll also give the sidestand switch and kill switch a good spray of cleaner. Steve, I didn't realize yours had the same symptoms. For some reason I thought yours died while running. Mine seems to do just fine once your get the fuel pump to energize. Thanks to you both for pointing these things out. It's really surprising how many things can keep the fuel pump from working.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

sccommuter · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject:

Well, the kill switch and the sending unit looked pretty good. These pics are of how I found them. Sprayed and cleaned them up some more, along with the sidestand switch. Will wait to see if the gremlin reappears.

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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 4:48 pm Post subject:

Mine did die while running once, but the other times it just wouldn't start or restart. It was very random, no real pattern or reason, just that little break deciding to provide current or not.

And as you mention, it was hard to test when it worked, because well, it worked.

Finally I had it do it and was able to test the route through the sender unit and determine it was the issue.

It drove me nuts for months...
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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Jim · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:27 pm Post subject:

Trying to figure out what thumping the tank does... If that works, it seems like it must be making a connection somewhere - or it's just a coincidence.

I don't remember problems starting, but I did notice the K would momentarily cut out at random times - more like a stumble.

Have you cleaned the Motronic connector? I never had a problem with that one, but I guess some people have.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

sccommuter · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:06 pm Post subject:

Hitting the tank worked that one time. Coincidence maybe, more likely vibrated a poor connection into working. I had the ignition and kill switch on and on the 2nd or 3rd thump the fuel pump whirled to life. That trick didn't work the next morning when it wouldn't start. However, an hour later, without doing anything else, it started right up. Yep, Motronic connection was very clean but gave it an additional cleaning. Also 4 prong plug on RH side of tank. Running fine now. I'll just have to wait until it rears its ugly head again, then try to trace it. Makes me want to stay close to home on my rides.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

rbm · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:27 pm Post subject:

The jolt you gave the tank probably jarred the 4-pin tank connector. It's probably that connector that is the source of the problem. It would be good to make sure the contacts are solid even though the pins may appear to be clean. They are not evidently making good contact. It is possible to close up the female sockets gently levering a jeweler's screwdriver between the contact and housing. The two most important wires are the Brown and Green/White. Best remedy is to replace the connector altogether, with something like an AMP Superseal.
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- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

sccommuter · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:21 pm Post subject:

Here we go again. Cruising along on a back country road heading to Germanfest in Muenster, Tx. All of a sudden the bike acts like it's out of gas, which it isn't. However, it essentially is as I've lost power to the fuel pump. A recurring problem now. Pull the tank and start tracing the wires from the sending unit, manipulating them as I go. Try again and presto I have power to the pump. Now to replace the wiring and a new 4 pin connector. Here's hoping that cures the issue. Steve, I feel you pain. The uncertainty about will she make or not gets to be very frustrating.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum