1994 K1100lt Starting Issues

[mobilemonk]

Hello All... I'm new to the forum and a new 1994 K1100LT owner... so first off I'd like to thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Hopefully I can return the favor as I learn more.

I'm having trouble getting my bike to start. I put new plugs in it and even took it to the BMW dealer, but unfortunately they couldn't find any issues. They started it something like 20 times (both cold and warm starts) with no issues (on the center stand... not sure if that's relevant). The problem is that when I have it sometimes it'll start up and sometimes it won't.

Thanks again for your time and effort.

[mystic red]

You do know it has a side stand switch? Check that first. ..you should be able to hear the fuel pump pressurize when you turn the key to the on position every time. Do you?
What does it do? Turn over and not start or nothing when you hit the button? When it doesn't start, do you have the key on?

[johnny]

greetings mobilemonk...

i spend some time in juneau wi... you are gonna have to sign up for cheezeconsin motodebauchery 2014... which will be rolled out in july...

if it were me...

1) i would bypass the sidestand switch...
2) i would disconnect clean reseat the motronic connector...
3) i would disconnect clean reseat the 4 pin unbder tank fuel pump connector...
4) i would work the ign switch all the left and all the way right a few times every time i ride...
5) i would work the kill switch all the left and all the way right a few times every time i ride...
6) i would replace the fuel filter with a napa 3032 every 10,000 miles...
7) i would use no corn ethyl every chance i get...
8) i would run a couple 20oz bottles of techron over 4 fill ups once or twice a year...
9) i would not listen to anything mystic red has to say...
10) i would ride it often and ride it hard...

j o

[mobilemonk]

greetings mobilemonk...

i spend some time in juneau wi... you are gonna have to sign up for cheezeconsin motodebauchery 2014... which will be rolled out in july...

if it were me...

1) i would bypass the sidestand switch...
2) i would disconnect clean reseat the motronic connector...
3) i would disconnect clean reseat the 4 pin unbder tank fuel pump connector...
4) i would work the ign switch all the left and all the way right a few times every time i ride...
5) i would work the kill switch all the left and all the way right a few times every time i ride...
6) i would replace the fuel filter with a napa 3032 every 10,000 miles...
7) i would use no corn ethyl every chance i get...
8) i would run a couple 20oz bottles of techron over 4 fill ups once or twice a year...
9) i would not listen to anything mystic red has to say...
10) i would ride it often and ride it hard...

j o

Thanks Johnny for all your help... I really appreciate it:)

[mystic red]

All good advice (except for 9 and 10) but I bet on the side stand switch.  Let us know, por favor.8)

And 4? Every time you ride? You go through ignition switches like you go through transmissions?

[johnny]

yawl...

working all the switches keeps them clean and in optimal operable condition... have not had a switch failure to date...

ign both ways
high beam
low beam
flash to pass
left turn
right turn
turn cancel
horn
kill both ways
hot grips
4 way flasher
abs reset
under tank 4 pin

even pull the motronic and reseat it... all of this everytime i ride...

j o

[mystic red]

You are full of horse poo and are putting undue stress on your poor switches.
Side stand switch gets worked every time you use it and what's the first switch to fail?

[mobilemonk]

yawl...

working all the switches keeps them clean and in optimal operable condition... have not had a switch failure to date...

ign both ways
high beam
low beam
flash to pass
left turn
right turn
turn cancel
horn
kill both ways
hot grips
4 way flasher
abs reset
under tank 4 pin

even pull the motronic and reseat it... all of this everytime i ride...

j o

May I ask how I reseat the motronic and abs?

[mobilemonk]

You are full of horse poo and are putting undue stress on your poor switches.
Side stand switch gets worked every time you use it and what's the first switch to fail?

Sorry, should have mentioned the side stand switch was bypassed by the dealer to avoid issues.

[Grim]

What johny said. He may look a little challenged in that picture but he's an idiot savant when it comes to K bikes.  :neener:

Motronic plug was causing me intermittent run problems. I cleaned the plug using a jewelers screw driver to clean off any electrolysis corrosion. Cleaned the contacts with a Qtip and denatured alcohol then brushed on some die electric grease. Solved my problems where it was cutting out and wouldn't rev. It was acting like bad points in a old car.

[johnny]

greetings mobilemonk...

im not sure how to reset a motronic... i would not even attempt it...

the abs reset... regardless of what mystic red will say... im talking about the right dash pad rocker switch...



j o

[mystic red]

ABS reset is covered in detail in the Liebrary under "ABS Voodoo"

[wmax351]

For the motronic connector, blast it with WD40 or PB Catalyst, then add dielectric grease. Solid preventative maintenance.

[mobilemonk]

For the motronic connector, blast it with WD40 or PB Catalyst, then add dielectric grease. Solid preventative maintenance.

Thanks for the tip.

[mobilemonk]

What johny said. He may look a little challenged in that picture but he's an idiot savant when it comes to K bikes.  :neener:

Motronic plug was causing me intermittent run problems. I cleaned the plug using a jewelers screw driver to clean off any electrolysis corrosion. Cleaned the contacts with a Qtip and denatured alcohol then brushed on some die electric grease. Solved my problems where it was cutting out and wouldn't rev. It was acting like bad points in a old car.

Thanks for the info... I pulled motronic plug and blasted it with some compressed air (computer keyboard can style to be gentle) and some debris came out. I will try your method of getting it even cleaner.  Unfortunately, now my battery is dead from trying to start it so many times, so today I'll be charging it up and spending tomorrow trying to get it going again.

[Grim]

If your not hearing the pump check the 4 pin connector to the tank. High current draw from the pump some times deforms the female side. same seal with cleaning and die electric grease.