It Won't Start!!!

[Chimicole]

The first time it happened was just last week. She ran fine, everything was ok, I was finishing gearing up while she was running. She stalled suddenly, and wouldn't restart. The battery sounded like it wanted to, but just nothing. It started 3 hours later, which made me think it may have been flooded.

Thursday and Friday, it ran fine. Started like it was supposed to, not a single problem at all.

Today, again, I pull her out of the shed, turn the key on, she turns over for a few, stalls again, then nothing. Again, the battery acts like it wants to do something, but nothing happens.

Of course, hubby says, "We'll see if it's the battery tomorrow..." as he promptly comes in and lays on the couch...

Grr..... needles to say, I am looking for ideas to try for myself, cause I see I am going to need to learn how to work on my own. (Not a bad idea anyway...)

[kari-star]

oh no!

I had this problem last year. I was all suited up and ready to go to work, I turned on the key, the electric system seemed to be just fine, and then .... nothing. not even a turn over. just a click. ARGH. I took her apart to check the spark plug and air intake, and nothing. so I pulled the carb, read lots and lots and lots, geared up my confidence, and started to take it apart and... the screws wouldn't come out. DARN IT! they were too soft!

so I dropped it at the shop last weekend and had them repair it. I am only somewhat vindicated that when I went to get on and ride home today it wouldn't start. they are keeping it for a few more days to see if it's a petcock issue. DARN IT!

[KansasKawboy]

Is the starter turning the engine or is it just clicking or trying to turn it?

[Unforgiven]

Is the starter turning the engine or is it just clicking or trying to turn it?

That is what I was thinking? Not really clear on what exactly is happening. If it cranks fine and then dies on it's own and then turns over well but will not start then maybe fuel filter or vapor lock on the tank. When it dies, try opening the gas cap and see if it restarts. If so look for a pinched vent hose to the tank if it has one as I don't know the bike and not sure if all bikes have them.

Bad gas maybe?

Is the bike carbed or fuel injected?

[Chimicole]

Is the starter turning the engine or is it just clicking or trying to turn it?

The engine will turn, but it just won't catch....

That is what I was thinking? Not really clear on what exactly is happening. If it cranks fine and then dies on it's own and then turns over well but will not start then maybe fuel filter or vapor lock on the tank. When it dies, try opening the gas cap and see if it restarts. If so look for a pinched vent hose to the tank if it has one as I don't know the bike and not sure if all bikes have them.

Bad gas maybe?

Is the bike carbed or fuel injected?


My bike is a 2009 Honda Shadow Aero. I'm going to try the battery today, see if anything is wrong there... then try the plugs to make sure I'm getting spark. I want to try the petcock, but DH is having a fit.... says I need to take it to the shop.

Oh~ sorry. It's a single carb, gravity feed.

[Luna Tique]

I read somewhere to try this:
Switch to reserve let it sit for a few then try again to start it

[Chimicole]

I'll do that. Thanks!

[Unforgiven]

If it's turning over good, it's most likely not the battery. Especially if it's dying while running. Not much on carbs. My wife's ZZR600 has carbs and I hate them.

[demenshea]

I agree with UF...if it's turning over, it probably isn't the battery. Do you have a reserve switch? Is it completely up or down? Do you have gas in the bike...enough?? It sounds like it's low on gas or the reserve switch is not engaged, if the gas is low.

Bad gas is another issue, but even if it was bad gas it would start but run crappy. Hmmmmmm

[KansasKawboy]

It sounds like a fuel or ignition problem. Bad fuel, low, fuel, a venting problem (air has to replace the fuel as it leaves the tank), dirt in the carb, or an ignition module that is breaking down with heat (not real likely since it is intermittent).

[coffee_brake]

If you can get at the battery, it is free and easy to check all the connections. This sounds like either a bad battery connection or a short to me.
I just went through this with my old VFR, and it turned out to be that the triple trees had rubbed a hole in the insulation to an important wire, and every time that wire touched the triples, the bike would blow a fuse and stop running. Only when I let the bike cool (and therefore moved it, taking the bare wire away from the frame), would it run again. 'Bout drove me nuts till I found it...but it didn't cost a single penny to find it and fix it, just time in the garage.

In your case, I really would take loose the battery connections (first the red, then the black) and clean the connections even if they look great. Also where the black goes to the frame or motor, and also where the red goes to the starter solenoid. All these connections have to be clean or they will cause a problem like yours.

[kari-star]

do you have a prime switch on your petcock, and can you get the bike to catch while it's in prime and you're feeding gas?

I just found out that I had a pinhole in my petcock vacuum tube - which is *I think* why it wouldn't start AT ALL last year. sheesh!