My M50 doesn't want to start anymore - Help

[Jiminy]

Grrrrrrrrrr, sat on the bike today by a beautiful weather. I turn my key, here the bike check, engage the clutch and press the magic button. I could hear the starter, then the engine waking up as usual, but this time the engine stopped just before having fully started.

Now, every time I press the start button, I can hear the starter, but the engine doesn't start at all. When I release the button, I can hear again the little check that the M50 does when you turn the key on, which shouldn't run again.

Does anyone know what this could be? Is it a 'return to the dealer' case or is there something I can do?

[rainman]

Got fuel?



(10chars)

[johnnyflash]

I assume the hum/noise you are hearing is the fuel inection pumps cranking up to pressure, if its running more than a few seconds then it maybe that its not finding fuel to pump? does the FI light go out, possible others (though not high on the list at all,) is to check the saftey cutout switches, Clutch, Side Stand etc, I would gues the main kill switch is fine otherwise you wouldnt even get the pum running... a MAJOR check though is Battery condition, if its too low it will play up..

[Jiminy]

Got fuel?

I should have seen that one coming :). Yes I do have fuel. I've checked the tank to be sure.


I assume the hum/noise you are hearing is the fuel inection pumps cranking up to pressure, if its running more than a few seconds then it maybe that its not finding fuel to pump? does the FI light go out, possible others (though not high on the list at all,) is to check the saftey cutout switches, Clutch, Side Stand etc, I would gues the main kill switch is fine otherwise you wouldnt even get the pum running... a MAJOR check though is Battery condition, if its too low it will play up..

You're right, the 'noise' is the fuel injection pump :). It is running for a couple of seconds, as usual, but it runs again after every try to start the bike.

I've checked the clutch, side stand and kill switch, everything looks fine. If one of them was the problem, then pressing the starter button would not have any effect, but the bike does try to start.

I've also tried to start the bike with a gear on. I can feel the engine pulling a slightly bit (despite having the clutch engaged), which is normal, but the engine still doesn't take off.

I doubt that it is the battery because everything else runs fine (or seems so), but I might be wrong.

Also, the 'fuel' indication and the FI lamp stay on after the FI pump has finished running. Can't remember if it is normal or not.

[johnnyflash]

I should have seen that one coming :). Yes I do have fuel. I've checked the tank to be sure.



You're right, the 'noise' is the fuel injection pump :). It is running for a couple of seconds, as usual, but it runs again after every try to start the bike.

I've checked the clutch, side stand and kill switch, everything looks fine. If one of them was the problem, then pressing the starter button would not have any effect, but the bike does try to start.

I've also tried to start the bike with a gear on. I can feel the engine pulling a slightly bit (despite having the clutch engaged), which is normal, but the engine still doesn't take off.

I doubt that it is the battery because everything else runs fine (or seems so), but I might be wrong.

Also, the 'fuel' indication and the FI lamp stay on after the FI pump has finished running. Can't remember if it is normal or not.

If I remember correctly if you are in the correct start 'mode', key on, gear in neutral, fuel pumped up, stand up, then the FI light should go OFF, if not it means there is a problem, and the LCD should tell you what it is, again if my memory serves, the handbook tells you how to go into 'fault resolution mode'... Id have to dig my owners manual to refresh my poor memory :-)

[rainman]

If I remember correctly if you are in the correct start 'mode', key on, gear in neutral, fuel pumped up, stand up, then the FI light should go OFF, if not it means there is a problem, and the LCD should tell you what it is, again if my memory serves, the handbook tells you how to go into 'fault resolution mode'... Id have to dig my owners manual to refresh my poor memory :-)

Wow these newer Boulevards are a bit complicated, eh? My old carburetted chain-driven version seems easy by comparison... :laugh:

[johnnyflash]

Wow these newer Boulevards are a bit complicated, eh? My old carburetted chain-driven version seems easy by comparison... :laugh:

You aint wrong S, when these things go wrong, dont call a mechanic, call a computer tech :-) seriously though, they do have some diagnostics built in to help, I remember reading the details when I first got the bike and though,then put it aside and used the normal formula, when all else fails Read The F**** Book, which Ill do if the need arises <_<

[Jiminy]

There's some progress. After spending 2-3 hours washing the beast, I tried again, and this time she started. It took some rattling, but she started.

Once started, the engine still feels slightly wrong, and she smells petrol. Plus, I kind of hear a little 'bzzzzz' in the background, like if the pump is still working a little bit.

I think she's ready for the next service. It doesn't sound toooooooo bad so (I hope).

Of course, the joy of buying second hand, I don't have a manual. Maybe I should buy one on TradeMe? They are not so expensive after all.

Thanks for your help rainman and johnnyflash, I'll let you know how things go.

[johnnyflash]

There's some progress. After spending 2-3 hours washing the beast, I tried again, and this time she started. It took some rattling, but she started.

Once started, the engine still feels slightly wrong, and she smells petrol. Plus, I kind of hear a little 'bzzzzz' in the background, like if the pump is still working a little bit.

I think she's ready for the next service. It doesn't sound toooooooo bad so (I hope).

Of course, the joy of buying second hand, I don't have a manual. Maybe I should buy one on TradeMe? They are not so expensive after all.

Thanks for your help rainman and johnnyflash, I'll let you know how things go.

sounds like a fue injection problem to me, though I would have expected if the FI red light stayed on then it might have flashed CHECK in the lcd display and perhaps a FI flash in LCD also.. I think thats how it works on the 1500.. best drop into your delaer and get it checked,

[Tank]

Of course, the joy of buying second hand, I don't have a manual. Maybe I should buy one on TradeMe? They are not so expensive after all.

Thanks for your help rainman and johnnyflash, I'll let you know how things go.

PM me a email address and I will scan the manual and email to you.

-Tank

[Jiminy]

PM me a email address and I will scan the manual and email to you.

-Tank

Done, thanks a lot!

[rainman]

Thanks for your help rainman and johnnyflash, I'll let you know how things go.

Most generous of you to refer to my "contribution" as help! :)

Best of luck with it though - Johnny's right, looks like a quick trip to the local bike shop is in order.

[Jiminy]

Most generous of you to refer to my "contribution" as help! :)

Hey, at least you look at thread with (I'm sure) the intention to help :).

Got my bike today. The guys at the dealer have done a thorough check, but couldn't find anything. Their guess is that the engine was flooded.

Anyway, it runs, feels, sounds and smells right now, so I'll stop worrying and go for a ride.

Thanks again everyone for your help :)