No Start-Almost

[TxRider25]

Did a 200 mile loop yesterday and stopped for gas before the ride in. Topped off, turned the key on momentarily to read the trip set odometer, zero'd it, turned key off while I calculated mileage.

Then, turned the key on, let the dash cycle do it's thing, hit the starter button and NOTHING. See the EFI light blinking. Turn key off, check that side stand is up. It is and try again. Same result, no start with EFI light blinking.

Well, I cycle the kill switch, just in case, and try a third time and this time it cranks, no problem.

My best guess is the prestart diagnostics didn't like something and decided to sit this dance out. Anyone have other ideas?

[Tremendo]

Maybe the kill switch wasn't fully on, since that was when itmade a difference. I've gotten concerned with starts before and it always has ended up being something I missed. The switch might need to be fully down??

Just an idea.

[bossbob]

Yip ..... gear shift.
Even with the neutral light on I had troubles like this when I first got it, I called it "a procedure thing" and I still think that to this day.
I have not nailed the cause (of my issues) precisely but I always select neutral before killing the engine, if the bike has been put in and out of gear without the engine running I am aware it is likely to happen.

Character, that's what it is ........
or is it character building

[rblue02]

I always shift into neutral before rolling to a stop for fuel,
but I have had a no-start due to a bumped kill switch before.

Could be that's what happened.

[TxRider25]

Character building is when your BMW buddy is sitting there watching this while you try to be cool wondering how the hell you get this thing 85 miles back to the garage.

[fcaprilia]

Rab is correct. I had a similar experience and learned that even though the neutral light was on, the electronics decided that the bike was not in neutral and hence no response what so ever. Slightly touched the gear shift and voila the bike started right up. This never happened again. At the time the bike was only two days old!!

[TxRider25]

Thanks guys for your input. Hope this serves to help someone else who finds themselves in a similar situation.

[bullit in head]

the fact that the EFI light was blinking as opposed to steady on would indicate it was the kill switch, and not something about to give up the ghost..... put it down to operator error... he he .

[PaulZX9R]

I had a similar experiance once, I came back to my bike to find it wouldn't start, EFI was on steady. Flicked the kill switch both ways, recycled the ignition, begining to worry, I was about to remove the seat to check the battery when I noticed the neutral light was not on. (Amazing how you take the obvious for granted). Selected neutral and she started first time. It seems that somebody sat on the bike while it was parked, and kicked it into gear. I hate that.

[Dan]

no start with EFI light blinking.

What bullit in head said.

[TxRider25]

This operator has certainly made his share of errors.... but in this case I think the suggestion about the shift lever is the most likely cause. Or as they used to say in the small Texas town where I grew up "maybe you weren't holding your mouth right".

[poloman]

I would say it was to do with the kill switch. Same thing happened to me this afternoon - ign on efi blinking away tried everything else and just starting to contemplate finding out just how good the AA are when it dawned on me the kill switch was off (must have knocked it).

Only prev time bike gave me strange messages the efi light was on and the management display said OFF - it was in gear. Three hours of swearing - bashing tilt switch (coz it happened when i dropped it) more swearing. Then the lightbulb went on above my head - the bloody bike was in gear!! Into neutral, started first time what a prat