okay Phil,
Time to pick your brain. I got my bike home yesterday (yuck! it looked like I took it to the mud drags! lol) After a good washing and polish I pulled the seat off and found the power commander to be a cobra Fi2000. I pulled the plugs to see how fouled they were. The rear cylinder plugs weren't too bad but the front cylinder plugs were toast. definite signs of way too rich on the fuel. After talking with Jake his thoughts were one of the issues was running in the rain with that hypercharger, his opinion was it could have been sucking water through the filter causing things to foul. If you have any info for me on the Cobra settings let me know, or if you have any other thoughts I'm open to suggestions. Oh, by the way I worked on the tail light issue. Easy fix, I took the bulb out and there was a small piece of solder that had broken off of the base of the bulb causing it to lose contact. I put the bulb back in and now the tail light is working like it should but I am going to make a quick trip to NAPA and get a replacement anyway. Thanks for your help!
Water in the hypercharger is a problem I've heard of before.
The FI2000 first generation (I have that) only has two pots. These things only ADD fuel, so the closer to zero, the leaner it is.
Try settings of 1-3/4 on pot 1 and 0 on pot 2.
And there you have it!
Honestly, I don't know a lot about them. You could also ask your question here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/KawasakiDrifter/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E You'd probably get a few more answers there.
Thanks guys!
1500/00 hyper-charger pro /FI2000 tri port roadhouse exhaust 2 into 1 look at wire connection from fi2000 to harness bad connection wires cut all most through had to cut add wire and hard wire still runs rich but so does 99 OME. cobra now has plug in leads that snap directly in to injector bodies (J+P CYCLES ) $199.99 wish i had this HOPE THIS HELLPS all-ways Cary extra plugs.
Anneoakley I have the same problem.. I did some checking and I found that the FI2000 makes your bike run richer, it doesn't make it run leaner. I have had the thought that my hyper-charger could be the problem but I can't change back to the old air system. because I didn't put the hyper-charger on. I was hoping you had found a fix when you put your bike in the shop. I haven't taken the plugs out of mine, I don't have the right plug wrench. Mine ran ok at most speeds until I plugged off the reeds to the smog control. Now it dies at all stopsand is hard to keep running at any speed.
three weeks is a long time. The last time mine was in the shop I had to have the throttle body replaced. It came all the way from Japan. Then they replaced my power commander unit. I had it back in less than two weeks then. Those new parts didn't help my bike run any better. Just cost me $1302.00, I don't go to that shop no more. Now mine runs worse than crap :'( I too am having withdrawals.
Still no bike >:( now he is saying it is something electrical, losing spark, in one of the cylinders. He still doesn't know what is wrong. sigh....... new fuel controler is on though.................more updates to come I'm sure :'(
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :'(
That sounds like the first time I took my bike in. Hope you have better luck
I'm giving him until friday to figure it out. Then I will be bringing it home. It is drivable, just not for long runs. If it is not fixed I will be taking it to another dealer, maybe someone with more advanced equipment for finding the problem a little more accurately and in a timely fashion.
besides not installing the FI2000, the only thing I haven't tried is taking off the hyper-charger. I disconnected the power commander didn't work. new throttle body helped but didn't really work, tried different maps on the power commander not much help there either. I'm waiting on a plug wrench to pull the plugs.I want to see what they look like. right now I can't even ride around the block.
According to the mechanic my plugs look good, their not fouled nor fuel soaked. He keeps saying electrical (coil or losing spark) I have a tach on mine too so he disconnected that to see if there was a connection problem there, no dice. I asked if there could be a problem with the plug wires themselves and he said that since there were two plugs per cylinder he could unplug one and it wouldn't hurt anything. Huh? I'm not a mechanic, but that doesn't make sense to me at all. I am ready to sign up for classes to become a certified kawasaki mechanic ::) then maybe I can take care of my own bike, and help you solve your problem ;D
Changed my mind!!! I just called to see how it was going and he wasn't working on it. I'm bringing him home tonight! I'll give him a bath and a good polish and then I am calling another dealer for help. If I have to trailer him clear across Indiana to get him running right I will. Almost a month in the shop is way outta control.
Agreed... time to get someone else to look at it.
I think we we put our heads together, keep each other informed. Just maybe we'll figure out what the problem is with our rides.
Are we the only two with this problem???
At this point I think we are. When I picked up the bike yesterday, my tach was completely disconnected, Now I'm going to have to put that back on, $300 later and my bike barely made it home. The part he did put on my bike I could have ordered from JP cycles and put it on myself. That was the part that was supposedly on back order for 3 weeks. I'm going to call a couple of shops that are about an hour away from me and pick their brains. If I get a better answer from one of them I will bum a trailer and haul it over. Coil or injectors????? what are your thoughts? He at least narrowed it down to the front cylinder (but I could tell that before I even took it in) Too bad we don't live down the street from each other, we could get both bikes in the same building and fix them at the same time! We will outsmart these two bikes!
I found a shop about 30 miles from my house. for $245 they'll do an advance tuning of the power commander. they say they can make it run like a top. we'll see. I am going to put the smog control back the way it was. At least it ran then. these guys are a private shop. The Kawasaki dealers here have both sucked me for cash and my bike still doesn't run right. Will keep you updated on this issue.
I will do the same.
Thank you both for keeping us advised.
Cheers.
Anneoakley I was just reading the manual to my power commander. I have a question for you. Have you ever had your bike hooked to your computer, to update maps or change things yourself? I believe I found one reason my bike is running rich. The valve trim was set to 4, which means it's running 4% richer than normal. Add this with the increase the maps add and we have a real rich mixture.
Reading this and never having my bike professionally tuned, might be the real problem. All the tuning to my bike I've done with my laptop.
So i do truly believe now that having it dyno tuned will fix my problem...... I will keep you posted.
Bob W.
well here is the deal....My bike will not even start now :'( I called another dealer and told him my sob story....my bike does not have the power commander just the cobra fuel commander. The new mechanic said I would not like him because he is going to take off the new cobra fuel commander and replace it with the dyna power commander (another $400) but before he does that he is going to start from scratch and work from there. I asked if an old battery could be causing problems and he said sometimes replacing the battery works. Since I don't know how old the battery is I think I will start there. He also gave me the bad news that it could very well be my ECU since the previous owner added all of the after market items and they screwed up the ECU.....are you sitting down?......$1000 or more to straighten it out! :o That's why I think I will start with the battery ;D. He wanted me to take it back to my first mechanic since he had already had his hands into the bike, I told him I was not comfortable with leaving my bike there since not much was accomplished in 4 weeks. He agreed and said if I brought my bike in it would still take a while to get all of the issues taken care of. WOW little more info than I wanted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you put your power commander on yourself?
I got my bike from my son-in-law. He wanted my tractor,I wanted the bike. My son-in-law put the items on the bike. The power commander is very easy to take off and reinstall. I done it several times. The hyper-charger was installed by son-in-law after his Dad dropped the bike crushing the air intake system. My Son-in-law is a horse shoer (Farrier) not a mechanic. He clipped a wire to the circuit board on the throttle body. This shorted it out. ($975.00) OUCH. The directions to install the power commander are very easy to follow and is easy to install. The maps aren't always right on though. So the best thing to do is have the bike put on a dyno and have it advanced tuned, ($245.00) I have tinker with the setting using my laptop. I found I was wrong at what the valve trim did. So today I'll play with that and see if I can make it run better. I will keep you informed.
Bob W.
Clipped wire...hmmmmm I have homework tonite ;D I am going to check my fuse to my ECU and the rest of the fuses on the panel. (do you think I could get that lucky???) Now as far as the battery goes I didn't look at it when I had the seat off, what is the size or part # on that and is Walmart acceptable as far as batteries are concerned? I buy my lawn mower batteries there but this is a whole different world! I am going to unhook the fuel commander before I try restarting my bike tonight. When someone tells me $1000 I start retracking my steps and if it is something as simple as checking the wires for nicks and cuts I think I am a capable individual. Then if I find something questionable and out of my league I go to the pros.
the battery is a FTH16-BS as far as where you get it is your call. There are only three battery manufactures in the world (maybe four), everyone purchases from them and puts their own name to the product. NAPA is a good example, they take product out of a plain box and put it theirs and calls it NAPA parts.
i've been playing with the settings on my power commander. I can chnage the way it runs (from real shitty to just crappie) So i think an advance tuning will fix the problem. Playing with the velve trim I was able to lean it out. So to the dyno man it will go.
Batteries are a source for all sorts of problems on modern vehicles...
Have a look at the reference page over on the website. There are some batteries and P/N's over there. I replaced mine last Jan - with a 18amp battery - a little extra ummphh.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/drifterparts.html
Cheers.
new battery, took off the new cobra part, checked all fuses, relocated my rectifier (hey, at least I can fix something that still works right ::)) put the battery on the charger overnight, jumped on this morning and fired it up. (Well at least it started,. do I get points for that? ;D) Now I have a habit of polishing the inside of the tips on my pipes to keep them nice and sparkly. After firing up the beast for about 30 seconds I check the tips of the pipes. The one attached to the front cylinder is still polished, but the one to the rear cylinder was completely covered black and also what appeared to be unspent fuel. So, I let the bike sit a while, cleaned the tips again, and fired him up. Let him run for a minute and started holding onto the pipe at the rear cylinder. Within a minute the pipe is pretty warm so I don't want to keep holding on to it anymore. Reach up to the front pipe...ice cold. Front cylinder not working at all?!? ??? anyone want to take a stab at that one?
no your not the only two with this trubel . anny pull the plugs let it air out hr or so ,new plugs it works for me but its not the cure .sometimes when i start up lots of rich exhaust and smoke lights on 2000fi going nuts if i shut it off an restart its OK i know it drives me nuts .
Annie - sounds like only one cylinder firing...
Pull the plugs and do a spark test.
If spark is a problem, Check the coil wires, plug wires and plugs.... I've heard of all three causing these problems.
Walk me through the steps...do I need a special piece of equipment to check the spark? If I can avoid sending this bike back to a shop I am willing to dive in and complete this on my own. I'm a hands on kinda person so I love working on things. But a motorcycle engine is a little different than tearing apart my old 88 F-150. I knew that truck inside out before replacing it, and I never had this issue before. Thanks for your help and input. ;D
pull the plug , then stick the plug wire on the plug, set it against the jugs so it is grounded, (do not hold it with your hands, unless you want YOUR battery charged)rubber handled pliers works. then turn the motor over look for spark. check with two different plugs,(one that you know works). If the good plug doesn't work then it's the wire, if it does then it's the plug.
Happy Hunting.
Thanks, I put new plugs in did the check, got good spark from both, bike is still only running on one cylinder. (grrrrr) It is starting to look like I am running out of ideas.
To run the bike needs, fuel, spark and air... if you are getting good spark, you need to start looking at the fuel system.
The FI2000 can be disconnected to eliminate it as a problem.
The question now is that cylinder getting fuel?
Are you getting any error codes on the ECU?
http://www.VulcanDrifterRiders.com/ECUFaultCodes.html
I have taken the Fi2000 off completely. No difference. Okay, I printed off the self-diagnosis. This will be all new territory for me....cool! I'll let you know what I come up with. Thanks Chief.
Anneoakley
I pulled my plugs today they were blacker than my bike. Cleaned them up, did a mild adjustment on the power commander. O got it running where I can ride it now. SO an advance tuning will/ should fix my problem.
With the power commander I can lean it out.
does that cylinder have good compression?
Maybe the jet is plugged.
Did your last Mechanic tell you why you needed a new ECU? With fuel only going to one cylinder, the other has to be plugged. Have you every run jet cleaner in your tank? I run it with every other tank fill. If it is the jets then make sure you find a Good mechanic.
No rain today, got it running took mine for a 35 mile spin. still acts up, will be taking it in for tuning soon I hope.
After printing off the self diagnosis I read it through. My FI light has not been on, it works but doesn't come on as a warning, so I don't think that is the problem, am I understanding that right? The self diagnosis is for checking when the FI light comes on?
1SG CAV- The mechanic didn't act like he was interested in working on a bike that had modifications done to it so he started talking about removing my new cobra part (because he didn't like that particular kind) he was going to charge me for a $400 for another brand that does the same thing. (go figure!) Then he said he would have to start all over and it would be around a grand by the time he was done. He is just guessing when it comes to the ECU, I think he is just figuring that since I have after market items on the bike that the ECU is no longer any good. I have one more referal to call. I have been told he is the best motorcycle mechanic around our area, he doesn't work for a dealer (I'm starting to think that is a plus) and he will come to my bike, I don't have to take it to him. I will wait until after this week to call. As far as the cylinder having good compression I don't know ( I'm a dummy in that area ;D) I wouldn't even know where to start. Is there a certain brand of jet cleaner I should use? I haven't ran any through it, and I am going to assume the previous owners didn't either. If I try that in my tank will it open a plugged jet?
You got to ride!!!!!!!!! awesome :D
Easy way to check for compression, is move the spark plug wire out of the way (so you don't get a charge) hold your finger over the hole. press the starter switch until the cylinder makes a complete cycle,(unless you have a compression gauge). The compression should push the air around your finger, no matter how hard you hold it over the hole.
I too agree That DEALER mechanics are out to take your money. Private cycle shops want your business, so they don't try to take you for a ride.
Any jet cleaner will work. I use STP or gumout jet cleaner. Wally-world (Wal-Mart) sell them for about $2-3 abottle. use about 4-5 oz per tank.
If I remember right the ECU is the circuit board in the throttle body unit. I was told you can't replace just the circuit board. That's why It cost me $1000.00 for the new throttle body
WOW another nice day taking the black beauty out for another ride. Hoping yesterday wasn't a fluke, that it ran OK.
Riding AGAIN! :P :P ;D Just funnin with ya! Have fun with that!
Okay, I will do the compression thing. thanks for the tip.
I am going to try the stp if you think there is a chance it could unplug the jet.
I hope you have another good ride. Mine is soon to come ;D (note my confidence!)
Hop it works.
The ride was great ;D suns a shining, which normally doesn't happen this time of year here in the Northwest.
The ECU is mounted next to the battery. Should be ok if the light functions as indicated in the tip.
You need to verify you are getting fuel to that cylinder. Injectors can foul and cause problems.
WhooooHooooooooo.... I dumped Gumout into the tank, it backfired, sputtered, and started. It ran on one cyclinder for about 30 seconds and then you could hear and feel the front cylinder trying to catch up. Within a minute it was only hitting and missing occasionally, and then it smoothed right out. I know you should not let your bike sit and idle for a long period but it was pretty decent out, not cold so I let it idle. Occasionally I would rev it a little to see what it would do, it never missed a beat,( smoked like a freight train though) remember I took the cobra commander off so it was running without it. After shutting it down and letting it cool I reinstalled the commander and fired it up again. Still running! Keeping my fingers crossed, it is supposed to rain here until Saturday so hopefully I will be able to take it on a trial run to burn that tank of gas out. Geezzz..we need to figure out how to get mechanics wages now ;D
Spark, Fuel and Air... sometimes it is that simple. If the injectors aren't clean, the bike is starving for fuel.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Hope you get to ride soon. That will be the real test. Glad to hear it's firing on both cylinders now. NOW GO and RIDE ;D 8)
I'll get right on that! (you won't even have to twist my arm ;D) Happy Turkey Day to all!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.
DAY EARLY I HAVE TO WORK ON TURKEY DAY.
I had another beautiful ride today, mine is still real rich, runs ok until I can get her all tuned on a dyno.
my plugs were black when I pulled them, so I know I'm way to rich (the bike not me :-[)
going to ride mine to work tomorrow, only a slight chance of rain.
Good job on getting her running, This thread has been like reading a mystery novel just glad it had a good ending.
Mark
Happy Turkey day
Went on a few short trips the last ocuple of days. I even rode to work this morning! 36 degrees!!!!!!!!!! It was great! Only a couple of pops and cracks but no loss of power yet. i can tell it is still working through it's problem but I am trying to run all of the Gumout through it before I top it off with the right mixture. It smokes a little when I first start it up but once it has been idling a couple of minutes it smooths right out. This morning it idled a little while while I was getting my coat on and then died, but I was able to fire it right back up. It back fired when I started it but ran like a top when I left the drive. So I'm like you 1SG CAV, a good tune up and I think I will be in good shape. Today 30 degrees, tomorrow... 50 ;D the next day....snow???? Indiana weather, go figure. :P
aclone- Mystery novel!!!!!!!!! :D ;D :D ;D thats a good one.. it might be a best seller!
The FI2000 will likely take care of the popping etc when you reinstall it.
It is already installed. It has only popped a couple of times since then, I think it is still working on cleaning up it's working parts. I'll give it time to work it out. Sounds like a nice couple days ahead so I will need to make up for lost time ;D
Once that is done. You might want to also run some carbon cleaner through the bike. I use the stuff made by Kawasaki.
It does help.
Cheers.
Thanks, I will do that.
Rides are getting colder....but I am still riding. Just a minor hiccup every now and again. Calling for snow the next couple of days but no accumulation. Plan on riding it to a Christmas dinner on Saturday, I've still got alot of riding to make up and I'm not putting it away without a fight! ;D
After you get done with the fuel cleaner you may want to clean and gap your plugs. In rare case junk can find its way on to your plugs. Low 50's is cold riding here in florida. Not sure I would want to ride in the snow.
Mark
Snow collects on the front wheel until it plugs up the front fender and the tire stops turning. Then there is no way to steer after that (I tried it)Been riding at 22 degrees here. I have good cold gear with skull face mask. I ride when the snow and ice are off the roads. can't wait to get mine tuned. get maybe 12-16 mpg now. So keep riding Anneoakley.
;D ;D ;D that's hilarious! Hmmmmmmmmmmm..my son has a dirt bike...............
Don't they make snowmobiles to do that? I'm sure their is some way to attach a snow board to your front wheel less chance of damaging the fender.
Mark
snowmobiles???? I like bikemobile better! (just funnin' with you!) Wait! I think my son has a snowboard.......
Take video !!!!!!!!!