K11 Owners Group

Pinchflat · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:10 pm Post subject: Momentary engine cut out?

On my way home from work while holding steady throttle it felt like my engine cut out for a split second. I was running an indicated 80mph for about 5 minutes when it felt like my engine quit. It was only a blip maybe a half second, after that it continued to run fine for the next 15 minutes.
Does anyone have an idea what this is? I have only had the bike about a week and have put nearly 800 miles on it in that time with no issues. It is a K1100rs with 43K on the clock.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:24 pm Post subject:

I'd say keep riding it.
If the situation starts to happen more often try and notice what is happening at the time.
Did you hit a bump, were you turning sharp with the steering, did you just wash it, or ride thru a puddle, etc..... things like that will help with the diagnosis..do you have a lazy thumb at the kill switch......
(I have that issue with my right foot wanting to rest on the rear brake lever enough to turn on the brake light and keep my cruise from engaging. Rolling Eyes

)
I know that this time at 80 down the interstate, you aren't turning the bars to full extreme. Shocked

at least I'd hope not.
_________________
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)

Pinchflat · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

I was not turning. I do wonder if the throttle may have slipped in my hand. It was almost too quick to register in my mind.
The other day it was pretty hot outside when I stopped for a quick nature break. The fuel pump did not turn on with the key. I let it set for 5 minutes and it fired right up. It has run fine for 500 miles since. I was wondering if that may have been a thermal safety switch as the fan just turned on as I switched it off. I only had it off for a minute or so before trying to refire.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

ColoradoRod · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:08 am Post subject:

I had a small pebble lodge itself in the sidestand mechanism. It would intermittently cause the engine to cut out as if someone were removing and then reestablishing electrical continuity.

I suppose such a thing is a rarity, but I lucked out! Might be worth checking.

Rod
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1996 K1100LT 26,xxx miles-SOLD
Mystic Red

DaveVoorhis · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:58 am Post subject:

Might be the electrical connector to the tank. It carries current to the fuel pump, and has rather undersized and prone-to-corrode connectors for the job. When it starts to go, intermittent cut-outs and starting failures - with the fuel pump not running - are a common symptom.
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'93 K1100RS
Dave #3

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:36 am Post subject:

Dave, where is this connector? That sounds like it could be my problem.
As for the side stand cut off switch the PO obviously disabled it as will start with it down.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Inge K. · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:13 pm Post subject:

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:06 pm Post subject:

I found the plug. It was labeled "tank". I pulled it apart and hit it with some contact cleaner, dielectric grease and plugged it back in.
My ride in to work was uneventful. I hope this does the trick.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Inge K. · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:46 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the wrong info, should have read the post one more time.
I tought the question was about the sidestand switch connector location.

Inge K.

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

I drove it to a friends house. Now it won't start. The fuel pump is not running. Help!
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:40 pm Post subject:

Ok. It starts now. I unplugged and plugged in a bunch of connectors. The only one that keeps the fuel pump from starting is the round one labeled tank. I am guessing there is a bad wire of bad connection there. I zip tied that wire to the frame.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:07 pm Post subject:

Ok so it starts now but the abs light is on now!
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Jim · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

Check the age of the battery, and the battery charge. If you tried to start it a bunch of times, you probably ran the battery down a bit - the ABS is very susceptible to low voltage.
_________________
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."

Pinchflat · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:58 pm Post subject:

I don't think it is voltage. It starts right up and I drove it 30 minutes to my house.
I do not have an led to check the fault code but I did try to reset it using the directions I found on here. That did not work. I assume it is caused by me unplugging what I know now to be the rear sensor for the abs.
Would simply unplugging the battery reset the light?
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Fifth Horseman · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Suffolk, UK

Rear sensor unplugged will cause the fault lamp to stay on. Needs fault code to be reset.
Before attempting to reset fault codes, check the ABS switch works (ABS lights stop flashing and one stays illuminated) and does not stick.

1. Find the flat 3 pin diagnostic connector under the seat
2. Connect a wire between the middle pin and a frame ground (or battery negative)
3. Turn the ignition on and hold the ABS reset switch down for about 8 seconds then release
4. Turn off ignition.

You may need to repeat 3-4.
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'99 K11LT

Pinchflat · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:50 am Post subject:

Fith, that method was not working last night. I will try again after I get off work. I may also try unplugging the battery for a while.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Stoked Steve · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject:

This sounds a lot like the issue I had with a bad ground in the fuel sender unit, which intermittently cut off the fuel pump. Took a bit of work to figure it out.

http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8412&highlight=
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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Fifth Horseman · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 13 Location: Suffolk, UK

Just re-read my post and step 3 could better describe the sequence -

3a. Turn on ignition. You should see the lights flash alternately.
3b. Hold ABS button down for about 8 seconds. The one ABS light will stay on, and the other one off.
3c. Release the ABS button. If you have successfully reset the ABS, both ABS lights will come on. If you have failed to count to 8, or your lead grounding the diagnostic connector centre pin is not good, the top ABS light will stay off.
4. Turn off ignition.
5. Remove wire.
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'99 K11LT

Pinchflat · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

3c was not working.
I will try again tonight. I may also try to disconnect the battery for 30 min if I can not get the abs to reset.
_________________
1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"

Pinchflat · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:06 pm Post subject:

I fixed the abs fault.
As for the intermittent problem with the fuel pump, I'm not sure. I cleaned and greased the Motech plug and all the plugs I could find. If it happens again I guess I need to look into the sending unit.
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1996 K1100rs "Helga"
1978 Yamaha XS400 "Molly"