No Start, Can You Help

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09-27-2018, 10:35 AM
mgwtrike

No Start, Can You Help

Can you make sense of my no start problem on m[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]y 2012 Roadsmith trike with less then 12,000 on the O/D.

[/FONT][/COLOR][LEFT][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]It turned over fine and fast with no hesitation, but would not start.

[/FONT][/COLOR]Previous sat for 4-5 days in my garage, with 3/4 gal of gas in the tank, battery checked out good and cables tight.

Cut off switch on and never touched.

[/LEFT]

Tried starting it within 1 hour before I called for a tow to the dealership and still no start.

When it arrived at the Honda dealership 1 1/2 hr. later, [U]they started it up without any problem.[/U]

Dealership kept it for 2 days, checked all the codes, fuses, sensors etc., let it sit, took for a spin, let it sit again and

started right up and found [U]NOTHING[/U] wrong.

Since then I drove it back home, took it out 7-8 rides within a week, and it starts and runs flawlessly.

Can anyone make sense to all this.

Cheers!
09-27-2018, 10:46 AM
Jack Klarich

Look for moisture in connections, take apart the connectors clean the pins and apply dielectric grease
09-27-2018, 12:36 PM
rhino 2

[QUOTE=mgwtrike;613759]Can you make sense of my no start problem on m[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]y 2012 Roadsmith trike with less then 12,000 on the O/D.

[/FONT][/COLOR][LEFT][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]It turned over fine and fast with no hesitation, but would not start.

[/FONT][/COLOR]Previous sat for 4-5 days in my garage, with 3/4 gal of gas in the tank, battery checked out good and cables tight.

Cut off switch on and never touched.

[/LEFT]

Tried starting it within 1 hour before I called for a tow to the dealership and still no start.

When it arrived at the Honda dealership 1 1/2 hr. later, [U]they started it up without any problem.[/U]

Dealership kept it for 2 days, checked all the codes, fuses, sensors etc., let it sit, took for a spin, let it sit again and

started right up and found [U]NOTHING[/U] wrong.

Since then I drove it back home, took it out 7-8 rides within a week, and it starts and runs flawlessly.

Can anyone make sense to all this.

Cheers![/QUOTE]

Not getting gas to the engine....I Had a car that would Act the same with a 1/4 tank and going up hill..... The tank wasn't venting.....:Shrug:...If it happens again , Open the gas cap and listen for a sucking sound....
09-27-2018, 01:01 PM
mgwtrike

[QUOTE=rhino 2;613769]Not getting gas to the engine....I Had a car that would Act the same with a 1/4 tank and going up hill..... The tank wasn't venting.....:Shrug:...If it happens again , Open the gas cap and listen for a sucking sound....[/QUOTE]

I thought about this especially here in Florida with "Vaper Lock" problems we have with ethanol in our gas.

We experienced this on my sons boat awhile back, but I was staring a cold engine sitting in my garage. :Shrug:
09-27-2018, 01:22 PM
rhino 2

[QUOTE=mgwtrike;613774]I thought about this especially here in Florida with "Vaper Lock" problems we have with ethanol in our gas.

We experienced this on my sons boat awhile back, but I was staring a cold engine sitting in my garage. :Shrug:[/QUOTE]

With me it had nothing to do with vapor lock......The tank vent was plugged and the gas wasn't getting down to the engine....IE...Turn a full five galling gas container upside down to fill a tank, Then see what happened's when you open the little vent cap on the top of the container...
09-27-2018, 02:10 PM
mtn rider

Starting problem

I had the same problem a long time ago. After a lot of checking it was the old kickstand switch. It was probably the last thing to i checked.
10-04-2018, 12:30 PM
mgwtrike

[QUOTE=mtn rider;613779]I had the same problem a long time ago. After a lot of checking it was the old kickstand switch. It was probably the last thing to i checked.[/QUOTE]

Kickstand was removed when it was converted to a trike, so would the remaining switch still be a problem?
10-04-2018, 01:01 PM
rhino 2

[QUOTE=mgwtrike;615620]Kickstand was removed when it was converted to a trike, so would the remaining switch still be a problem?[/QUOTE]

Its been over 10 years since i have a kickstand kill switch, And if i remember correctly when the switch is off as in the down kickstand position, The engine won't even crank/turn over...:Shrug:...
10-04-2018, 01:29 PM
Jack Klarich

Get 1 of these, lay it close to a plug wire while cranking engine, if you have spark it will light up

This is a handy tool in the garage;)

[IMG]https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/a5bc390e-b38e-488a-85e8-64e5a6df4610/svn/lisle-car-diagnostic-kits-lis19380-64_1000.jpg[/IMG]
10-04-2018, 01:52 PM
rhino 2

[QUOTE=Jack Klarich;615625]Get 1 of these, lay it close to a plug wire while cranking engine, if you have spark it will light up

This is a handy tool in the garage;)

[IMG]https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/a5bc390e-b38e-488a-85e8-64e5a6df4610/svn/lisle-car-diagnostic-kits-lis19380-64_1000.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]

Or have your helper hold a non insulated screwdriver on a spark plug and then hit the starter button, And if he jumps back and lights up' You'll know you are getting spark....:D
10-04-2018, 03:04 PM
trike lady

1 Attachment(s)

[QUOTE=mgwtrike;615620]Kickstand was removed when it was converted to a trike, so would the remaining switch still be a problem?[/QUOTE]

At any time is the side stand indicator lamp lit?

I located an on line service manual to confirm if the clutch switch and side stand switch were connected and they share the ground side. Have you replaced the clutch switch to see if it will start?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]62495[/ATTACH]
02-27-2020, 09:52 PM
paid4c4

[QUOTE=mgwtrike;613759]Can you make sense of my no start problem on m[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]y 2012 Roadsmith trike with less then 12,000 on the O/D.

[/FONT][/COLOR][LEFT][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]It turned over fine and fast with no hesitation, but would not start.

[/FONT][/COLOR]Previous sat for 4-5 days in my garage, with 3/4 gal of gas in the tank, battery checked out good and cables tight.

Cut off switch on and never touched.

[/LEFT]

Tried starting it within 1 hour before I called for a tow to the dealership and still no start.

When it arrived at the Honda dealership 1 1/2 hr. later, [U]they started it up without any problem.[/U]

Dealership kept it for 2 days, checked all the codes, fuses, sensors etc., let it sit, took for a spin, let it sit again and

started right up and found [U]NOTHING[/U] wrong.

Since then I drove it back home, took it out 7-8 rides within a week, and it starts and runs flawlessly.

Can anyone make sense to all this.

Cheers![/QUOTE]

I had the same no start problem. I am fairly sure it's some type of vapor lock. I refilled the tank after a ride and rode home approximately 1 mile. Turned it off and it wouldn't start for the next four or five days. Then it started and ran fine. Took it to the dealer who found no codes. About a month later same scenario filled tank drove home wouldn't start the next day. I then did a search on the GL forum and found someone with same identical problem.

He said he found if he removed the filler cap and leave the fuel door open for a few minutes it would start. Now standby for the really funny part! The person who made the post was the previous owner of my GL. What's the chances. So I filled the bike after my next ride took it home and sure enough it wouldn't start the next day. I removed the filler cap and left the door open for a few and sure enough it started right up. You just can't make this stuff up.

Bill
02-28-2020, 09:03 AM
FuzzyWuzHe

Gold Wings are famous for the "switches", clutch, brake, side stand, etc getting dirty and not working consistently. (When I say famous, I mean it happens, not degrading Gold Wings, I love them) Especially where it comes to the cruise control circuit. If the gas cap and fuel door trick doesn't work (and that's freaky by the way), get a can of spray contact cleaner with a hose sprayer and hit all the switches. They are not sealed and will get dust, dirt, moister and other stuff in them. After doing that to each switch, check for loose connections.

To my ear, it sounds like a loose ground or dirty contact switch.
02-28-2020, 10:12 AM
paid4c4

[QUOTE=FuzzyWuzHe;735959]Gold Wings are famous for the "switches", clutch, brake, side stand, etc getting dirty and not working consistently. (When I say famous, I mean it happens, not degrading Gold Wings, I love them) Especially where it comes to the cruise control circuit. If the gas cap and fuel door trick doesn't work (and that's freaky by the way), get a can of spray contact cleaner with a hose sprayer and hit all the switches. They are not sealed and will get dust, dirt, moister and other stuff in them. After doing that to each switch, check for loose connections.

To my ear, it sounds like a loose ground or dirty contact switch.[/QUOTE]

I have found the switches seem to be a little better about not sticking than my 2006. I keep switch cleaner in the shop and a small can in my tool kit on the bike. On my gas cap fuel door trick, since I can repeat it my dealer wants me to try and repeat it at his shop so they can have a look/hands on. They have at least two other GL's with the same problem.
02-28-2020, 11:47 AM
rhino 2

I had a Pinto that would stop dead for no reason.....Wait an hour and it would start right up..Then i notice it would do that with a 1/4 tank and riding on a upgrade ...This was in 1973 when they first had the closed fuel system.....What i did to fix it was with a small drill bit..Drill though the center of the gas cap....That solved the problem,,:D...