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Posted by chief
- December 19, 2012, 16:49:47 PMStart at the beginning...
Ensure your battery connections are good, plugs and wires good and secure. Make sure the connections are good to the ignition switch. (I replaced a bad battery a couple of years ago... the replacement new battery was also bad - it showed full charge, but failed under load. New battery doesn't necessarily mean GOOD battery... though this is unusual. )Try to start... if it fails, run the ECU test. (Link in previous post).
That will show any problems with: Sensors for throttle, vacuum, inlet air temp, coolant, atmospheric pressure; but also for the vehicle down sensor, pickup coils, injectors, fuel pump and ignition coils. If there are no fault codes, you can pretty much eliminate those things.Posted by 45 Bravo
- December 19, 2012, 12:42:38 PMThe reason I was asking about testing is I just spent $100+ on a battery I apparently didn't need, I would hate to spend 100 on an ignition I didn't need.
Things are tight at the moment as my wife just had surgery the day before thanksgiving, and I am having surgery on the 28th.
And it is my only means of transportation. (Other than having the wife get up early and drive me to work)
Thanks for the info on the hidden feature..Ian
Posted by Troll
- December 19, 2012, 09:20:06 AMThe wiring on the switch has an interesting hidden feature. There is a resistance wire or resistor built into the circuit that sends a 5V signal to the fuel controller. They did this to prevent hot wiring and ride off thefts...That was where my thunder switch was causing the trouble. A stock switch is like $90, and comes with 2 keys that don't match your other locks...bonus!
Posted by 45 Bravo
- December 18, 2012, 21:58:25 PMMine is stock, (as far as I know)
Can you tell me this Troll.
If I direct connect the 2wires from the key switch, should it work the same? Just to test to see if it is the switch?
I have done some googling, but haven't had many hits on places that sell 1999 1500 drifter ignition..
Any idea what they cost?Ian
Posted by Troll
- December 18, 2012, 18:16:04 PMThat is exactly the same symptoms mine had. It had a thunder ign. switch, now it has a stocker...
Posted by 45 Bravo
- December 18, 2012, 17:17:09 PMok, now the lights stay on, and the pump doesn't run at all.
I ran the test, grounded pin 37, and when i turn the ignition back on, the FI light comes on, so according to the thread, it says there is a problem with the DFI.
any suggestions?
Ian
Posted by chief
- December 18, 2012, 14:53:26 PMhttp://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/ECUFaultCodes.html
This provides ecu testing info. This shows any faults in a bunch of sensors, fuel pump, injectors, coils etc. If there are any.
Posted by 45 Bravo
- December 17, 2012, 22:56:14 PMThanks for that info Troll.
so, i have been trying some trouble shooting, when i turn the key on, the fuel pump runs, then quits, the FI light, temp. and oil lights all go off.When i hit the start switch, if the temp light, and FI light come back on, it won't start, but turn the key off, then back on, the pump runs, the lights go off, and i hit the button again, some times the lights come back on and it won't start, some times, they stay off and it fires right up.
Something is strange.
tried it 12 times in a row, it started 5 of the 12 times. the other 7 times, the FI and temp light came back on, and it would not fire.
ideas?
45 Bravo
Posted by Troll
- December 17, 2012, 20:34:01 PMDoesn't have a real post...did the fuel pump run the first time? I (and quite a few others) had to replace the ign. switch due this intermittent no start problem. Mine would do it after along run, and would restart after it sat for a little while. No fuel pump, no start. The last time I had it out before discovering the ign. switch problem, I rode 350 miles that day, and then it wouldn't start about 1/2 mile from my house, after I filled it up...had to walk home...could have been a hellofalot worse...
Posted by 45 Bravo
- December 17, 2012, 20:27:12 PMErnscott is on to something, Lately i have been having an occasional issue with my drifter not starting.
It has always been dead reliable, whether the temp is 10 deg. f, or 105 deg.f.
I replaced the battery, all seemed well, then this morning i went out, turned on the key, the red lights did not go out, i tried the starter, just turning the engine over, no fire.
I ground it for a minute or 2 off and on, nothing.
I went back in the house to get the keys to the car, i decided to try it one more time, i turned the key on, the red lights went out, and it fired right up..
IF the battery was weak(it is only 2 weeks old) it would have been even weaker after having turned the engine over for 2 minutes.
So I think the issue is some where else.
Something electrical or computer gremlin related.
Does anyone here know the POST (Power On Self Test) for the Drifter computer?
Or what may be standing in the way of it starting the computer correctly?
thanks.
45 Bravo
Posted by waltervl
- December 05, 2012, 03:17:04 AMNice, A riding Drifter is allways better 
Posted by pcarrell
- December 03, 2012, 19:25:29 PMGlad ya got it worked out!
Posted by ernscott
- December 03, 2012, 08:54:47 AMI really want to extend my thanks for the help that I received. Never would I have aimed at the battery. After checking the condition, you guys were 100% on the money on that call. I did the hot shot from only a hot battery, and she fired right up like it was parked only yesterday. I think the clue should be the oil light. It went right out when the hot battery was connected, yet stayed lit without it. Oddly enough - the battery is only 2 years old, and I have always kept it on a battery tender ?? Thanks for the help !!!! Kindest Regards Scott
Posted by ernscott
- December 03, 2012, 07:47:49 AMThanks for the jump start heads up. My plan is to just use a hot (fresh charged) battery that I have in the shop. Still have not got around to it.
Posted by Troll
- December 01, 2012, 17:47:36 PMChange the plugs.....NGK plugs have always had one major issue...once they are even slightly damp, they just won't fire. We have this problem with all the training bikes, too. We keep one spare set of each of the types around just in case...