K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu

I was out riding on a fairy bumpy road the other day and engine power kept cutting out. At first I thought I was running out of gas but the bike kept recovering, only to cut out again and again. I then postulated that the bumpy road was sloshing around my 1/4 tank of gas causing my fuel pump to suck air.

The bike eventually returned to normal and I rode 20 miles home.

Yesterday, I went to start the bike. It started a little rough but eventually idled as it should. When I gave it throttle the engine sputtered and almost died. This happened again and again. I eventually put the bike back in the garage.

I figure my issue is a fuel issue, perhaps fuel filter or fuel pump. Perhaps that bumpy road stirred up debris in the bottom of my gas tank which my fuel pump then fed to my fuel filter?? Or perhaps my fuel pump is going out?

What do you think? Is there a way to check this before I order parts from beemerboneyard?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:13 am Post subject:

1st thing I'd check would be the 4pin connection for the fuel pump/fuel tank. Right side behind the side panel.

You could also check the side stand switch, but I doubt that would cause your issues without also causing the instruments and gauges to cycle on/off.

Fuel Filter is not a bad idea anyway if you haven't changed it recently. You should be able to fine one locally, NAPA 3032 or equivalent, should work. Just make sure that it is a metal body and not plastic. Plastic can burst at the pressures the fuel pump discharges.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
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.)

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 4:01 pm Post subject:

I just changed the fuel filter but still have the same problem. Please clue me in on the fuel pump connector, right side under the easy to remove side panel?

I don't think it is the stand switch since it behaves the same whether the bike is parked or rolling down the road.

Here are links to youtube videos of what's going on.

The bike is warmed up in these two videos. Note the choke is on in the one video. The bike was recently worked on by BMW of Grand Rapids. Ran great for about 200 miles before this started. They had done a radiator flush and fill and replaced my brake lines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlXkEwrel44&feature=em-upload_owner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwLPTnDxHBo&feature=em-upload_owner
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject:

Well, the choke lever on these bikes is nothing more that a bit of throttle advance.

How many miles?
Do you use any type of injector cleaner in your fuel?

Some more background, when was the last time:
plugs were changed
valve clearance check.
plug wire inspection(in the dark with the cover removed to see any leaking spark)

The fuel pump/tank harness connector is behind the easy to remove right side panel. There are 4 wires, Brown, Yellow, Green, White.
It's not uncommon with age for the female half of this connection to develop issues, the female connection sockets spread and causes loose connection with the male pin counterparts. Though I'm thinking that isn't your issue here after listening to the videos.

Do you have means or know someone that can help you run a fuel pressure test?
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
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.)

Grunter · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:18 am Post subject:

[quote="HoosierStu"] Please clue me in on the fuel pump connector, right side under the easy to remove side panel?
/quote]

Remove the 'easy to remove panel' and attached to a clip just in front of the battery shpould be a black plastic torpedo shaped multipin connector. Remove it from the clip and after easing the halves past the locking ridges it will pull apart quite easily.
There are 5 pins and they should be clean and secure. To be certain rinse the connector out with electrical de-greaser, allow to dry and re assemble making sure the connector is pushed together firmly. Job done.
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:59 am Post subject:

I just mentioned the choke was on since the bike was acting like it was not getting any gas when it should have been idling high.

How many miles?
35,000

Do you use any type of injector cleaner in your fuel?
Once or twice but not for a few years.

Some more background, when was the last time:
plugs were changed
Plugs were changed about 6k ago (2 years)

valve clearance check.
Not under my watch.

plug wire inspection(in the dark with the cover removed to see any leaking spark)
No
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:05 am Post subject:

I'll check that connector
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:46 am Post subject:

That fuel pump connector looks fine.

The fuel pump sounds normal when I switch the bike on. Is there a way to troubleshoot to find out if it is the culprit?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:19 pm Post subject:

Start the bike. Let it idle. Shake the connector to see if that causes the engine to run roughly or die.
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Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 6:37 pm Post subject:

Something else preventative to do, and I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner as it has bit me in the behind more than once......

Clean the multi-pin connection of the motronic controller(under the seat).
The spark and fuel are both controlled thru this connection.

Use some electrical contact cleaner and then plug/unplug a few times to work it in.
Some use some dielectric grease on this connector to keep dirt and moisture out after it is cleaned, that's your call if you do or don't.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
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.)

Grunter · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 3:06 am Post subject: Motronic Unit

I will second that suggestion about cleaning this unit. It is usually forgotten so long as it is working but once a year check the connections to make sure it is clean and the pins are uncorroded..
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

HoosierStu · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:31 am Post subject:

Thank you guys for all the input. I'll get some contact cleaner and investigate.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

CrazyIvan · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 7:58 am Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:00 pm Post subject:

I'm happy to report that the problem was solved by cleaning the Motronic connections.

Now runs like a charm with new Denali LEDs!
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT