| Author |
Message |
    
Mechanicalbuell
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 09:24 am: | 
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My 2000 buell lightning x1 randomly cuts off while riding. Its my first bike and I've only had it 1 month. Both times its died on me I was just cruising on a straight road. With no bumps. Its like someone just pulled the key out or hit the kill switch while I was riding. The first time almost got me killed btw semi truck almost hit me as I coasted to the shoulder of the highway. So I pull over without touching any of the controls. I try and crank it. It just turns over the motor over and over with no start up. I check to see if there is gas in my tank. So I pull the key out of the ignition. Open the tank and there is gas in the tank. Put the key back in and try and crank it and it starts up without hesitation. The next time it died I was on a back road alone. Cuts off and I turn the key/ignition switch all the way off. Then turn it back clockwise to start it hit the starter button and its starts up immediately and runs fine....any ideals? Im new to bikes but I am a car mechanic. So bear with me |
Harleyelf
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 09:45 am: |
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Your ignition switch has worn out. |
Kenny_gilgore
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 10:07 am: |
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Mechanical,
Before you replace anything, make sure the fuel vent line is not blocked. When you open the gas cap to check the amount of fuel in the tank you leave enough air into the tank for the engine to run again. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 10:29 am: |
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In addition to those two suggestions, check into the Bank Angle Sensor, it is a safety that shuts the motor off if the bike ever fell over, it is possible it is failing and making the bike think it tipped over. When the BAS triggers, it requires you to turn the key off to reset it, hence why it it was cranking but wouldn't start until you took the key out to check the gas. |
Mechanicalbuell
| | Posted on Monday, October 28, 2013 - 11:24 am: |
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I do remember I dropped the bike at a standstill. Once (didnt put the kickstand all the way down)
bike was running. And when it fell it didn't cut off. It kept running like it was still sitting up
And I do see a exposed wire coming off the back of my ignition. Its not touching anything but. It is about a 1/4 inch of exposed wire. |
Harleyelf
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 - 12:11 pm: |
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You can unplug the ignition switch and short the 3 wires together. If that fixes it just replace the switch. |
Doz
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 10:25 pm: |
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I second the gas tank venting, had it happen on an old Suzuki. I verified it by driving around with the gas cap open, confirmed after disassembling the cap and cleaning it out. never gave me a problem after that. |
Harleyelf
| | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 02:12 pm: |
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Yes, if it happens only after hard running, I agree with the fuel tank venting theory. Cracking and replacing the tank cap should clear the vacuum every time if this is the issue. A bubble in the fuel injection supply line where there should be pressurized gas can make you think the key was just yanked out. Expect it to take a few seconds to re-pressurize.
If it is the ignition switch there will be flickering of lights and tach readings. |
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Bike randomly cuts off while riding