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11-04-2014, 11:57 AM | #1 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 3
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Won't Start after Washing
I have a strange problem that I can't seem to solve.
I have a 2000 Nomad FI and when I wash it when its cold or it sits in the rain and has cooled off it doesn't want to start. If I leave it for about 15 minutes after washing (at home not a car wash) it will then start. If I go to a car wash to clean the bike when away from home and the engine is warm this problem does not happen. (yes I am careful with the hose at home and at the car wash) I cover the switches including the ignition switch with tape to prevent water from getting in as well. I have gone over every electrical connection and used contact grease to waterproof the connections but to no avail. I am beginning to think there is a sensor or something somewhere that is the problem. I have checked the spark plug boots and there is no moisture there either. Anyone else have this problem. Sucks when on the road and it rains overnight. If I boost the battery from my sons bike is will eventually start. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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11-04-2014, 02:02 PM | #2 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lake Travis, Texas
Posts: 518
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After reading a few articles what I picked up was.
1. Moisture getting in connections inside the headlight. grounding out 2. Same thing for the Kill Switch. 3. Same thing for the Kick Stand Switch. 4. Same thing for Ignition Coils. Water is grounding out your electrical. I sure appreciate your post as my bike turns 15 this new year. Did some work on it this weekend and did see some Green on a electrical connection. Guess I should "De-oxit" |
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11-04-2014, 02:58 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Psychiatric Ward FL
Posts: 3,429
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Your plug wires are shot.
After 14 years the insulation has broken down and water is getting in. Also check you plug boots. You probably are getting water in plug tunnel and they are grounding out. BTDT MT
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MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936 |
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11-04-2014, 03:47 PM | #4 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
Posts: 4,838
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+1 on what Mas said ^ ^ ^
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Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 |
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11-04-2014, 07:54 PM | #6 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places
Posts: 1,043
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I have an 05' 1500 (I've had it since 08') and both times I've washed it (cold both times) it would not restart for about 1/2 an hour. I now just use lemon Pledge to clean it. Starts every time.
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11-04-2014, 08:24 PM | #7 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: On The Shakey Side
Posts: 2,501
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Check those "plug tunnels" if they drain slow...BINGO !
...(Warm ones will evap. the water out faster !) Good Luck... |
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11-05-2014, 08:21 AM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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I agree with Mas. Run your bike spraying water on the plug wires from a pump spray bottle and see if the motor starts to miss or break up. Also you could run it at night and move the leads around with an insulated screw driver looking for arcing.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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11-05-2014, 08:25 AM | #9 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Starke Florida
Posts: 856
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How many times have I said "I dont wash my bike with water????
This proves my point! I use to have this same problem. Also putting dielectric grease on plug connections is supposed to help. I clean my bike with pledge no water on my bike!
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"Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek |
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11-05-2014, 08:40 AM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 357
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I would have thought this as well, however that doesn't explain why it would start okay when warm and wet but not when cold and wet...unless I'm missing something.
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VBA# 02595 2004 Nomad VN1500L5 FI 1999 HD Superglide Sport (SOLD) 2009 BMW F650GS |
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11-05-2014, 08:43 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Psychiatric Ward FL
Posts: 3,429
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It cooks the water off when warm.
I had the same problem, and after changing the wires and caps and using copious amounts of di-electric grease, have not had an issue. MT
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MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936 |
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11-05-2014, 08:54 AM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 357
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Oh....the obvious, so much for my problem solving skills!
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VBA# 02595 2004 Nomad VN1500L5 FI 1999 HD Superglide Sport (SOLD) 2009 BMW F650GS |
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11-05-2014, 10:00 AM | #13 | |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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Quote:
At one point as the problem progresses over time, it will leave you on the side of the road in the rain.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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11-05-2014, 12:20 PM | #14 | |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Starke Florida
Posts: 856
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Quote:
But Like I have said so many times before, Water has a way of finding very mysterious ways of getting into weird places, so go ahead get out your pressure washer and wash away.......
__________________
"Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek |
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11-05-2014, 12:43 PM | #15 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RI
Posts: 1,351
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HMMMMM!!!
I say don't wash it. LOL |
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