| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
So I went on my usual spirited ride today (around 120 miles) and noticed the orange arrow light (one that lights up when the kill switch and key are armed just before starting) was coming on every now and then, seemed to happen at some times when the bike would be under load (higher speeds open throttle) as well as cruising at higher speeds regardless of gear (60+mph) and a few times at lower speeds, but enough to seem like a higher speed problem. Bike handled fine. Stopped a few times to cool off the bike and it would still come on after a short ride. Hit one of the last stretches of twisty road and it came on again, then the bike hiccuped a bit. as if I had let the throttle chop shut. Then it began to do this every couple of seconds. The tach/speedo began swiping from left to right as if I had just turned the key/killswitch, the lights went out entirely a few times (clock etc...). Pulled over, restarted, continued to ride and it was pulling as if one of the plugs had fouled or was not firing. I was able to get more speed however than it normally would with only one plug sparking and full power seemed to resume. Rest of the ride up the hill to the summit and back down (15-50mph) were uneventful but I was just waiting for it to buck me off by chopping the power mid corner... Now I was getting worried, light wasn't coming on anymore, everything seemed to be normal (I'd rather it keep happening than be a 10min mystery problem). Got onto the freeway for the 2 mile stint home and as soon as I started cruising at 60mph steady throttle the orange light illuminated again and the power stumbled a bit again but then came back. What could've caused this? | ||
| Rsh |
It sounds as if it went into spark skip mode. Have you checked for any codes? This is from the manual: Indicator Lamps and Cooling -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ An engine run long distances at high speed or run at idle for extended periods must be given closer than ordinary attention to avoid overheating and possible consequent damage. Have the engine checked regularly and keep it well tuned. Your motorcycle has a system designed to warn of potential engine overheating and reduce the likelihood of an overheat condition. If a fuel-injected engine exceeds normal operating temperature, the engine will operate in a "skip spark" mode until the temperature is back in the normal operating range. Reduced power will be experienced until operating temperature returns to the normal range. The check engine lamp will blink warning the rider of this condition. The check engine lamp will only blink as long as the operating temperature remains above normal. If the check engine lamp blinks excessively or potential overheating is not suspected, see a Buell dealer. | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks for that I did think about that but this was different. The light was illuminating not flashing and the electronics were going off and on as if I had flipped the kill switch over and over. Also if it were an overheating condition why would it be fine for the 10 mile spirited high rpm uphill climb and then start acting up the 2nd time on the freeway cruising at 55-60mph in 4th gear (in theory less strain on motor plus more cooling). | ||
| Rsh |
Check the battery connections, any number of ridability issue's and strange electrical characteristics can happen if the battery connections come loose. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Yup, battery. I wish Ultima made a battery for these. I think I'll go with the eeebbbrrr unit next season. | ||
| Yourguitarhero |
Could be the charging system. Check the voltage across battery while bike is running - should be about 13.5V My bike was displaying similar symptoms and it was a bust stator. | ||
| Pwnzor |
should be about 13.5V Should be more like 14+ unless you're running both headlights | ||
| Vlightningx1v |
I am currently buying a 05 xb12r ... don't have it yet and i'm looking into things to know about above. I have a 99 x1 there had been similar issues the exception being xb instruments. Not sure if this helps! engine temp sensor crapped out, low oil,(hot) fuel lines, rubbing wires, fuse box. Have you checked, the electrical grounding and the valves? Sounds like in the above spark skip mode is coming on. Can you retrieve the codes? I had to bypass the kick stand switch or clean or replace it(would just cut out, but did have some puttering to it) but the xb bikes may have different symptoms? again not sure if it helps, just doing some reading bro | ||
| Vlightningx1v |
Well I know now that it doesn't have a side stand switch, that's fine with me, they were crap! But a recalled one instead. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Psst, the down arrow is a V-twin engine. I'd go with the skip spark until you mentioned the sweep. That would be battery or power connection. Not sure how the charging works but I'd guess that engine would supply enough power while it was running. Go with connections. Did the clock reset to 12? | ||
| Jraice |
Sorry guess I forgot to update. Loose negative battery terminal! | ||
| Vlightningx1v |
What Iamarchangle and Jraice said... I just got my new/old 05 xb12r. I read that the terminals can wiggle a bit loose. I had something that could have been the altitude change from shipping, the start connector or "loose" it hink it was relay or something ahve to read more. It started gave it a spin stopped, tried to start again after 15 min and no light, no start only the instruments. gave a look throught,Got it in the truck and wa-la everything on again. The bike had been in a lot of rain from shipping. A new toy to play with, again! | ||
| Vlightningx1v |
That was the relay or "it" sorry I don't have the manuals for the bike yet. But it wasn't the rain. I cleaned the connectors and zip tied around the cluster holding in it tight, that should be the fix for that. Jraice you said: the lights went out entirely a few times (clock etc...). My instruments were fine! Just the lights, fuel pump, and start, So maybe not same? | ||
| Jraice |
I'd assume its not the same given your battery is probably connected  . | ||
| Vlightningx1v |
Battery terminals were loose then, right! | ||
| Jraice |
I said that a few posts up. |
