Author Topic: 1990 K75S died suddenly  (Read 4588 times)

Offline jasper

  • Curious
  • Posts: 5
1990 K75S died suddenly
« on: April 29, 2013, 10:41:43 PM »
 (cross posted from MOA)

Here's the story - please help me diagnose my fault.

1) The bike has been running like a champ since I put it back on the road on January 1st. No operating issues whatsoever at any speed or under different loads.

2) I've been riding the bike every day now for two weeks. My commute is 25 miles each way. No problem.

3) Yesterday I rode with my mates to a bike show 25 miles from my house.

4) On the way home it faltered once. The stumble was short - so short I almost missed it. It did not happen again that day even though I rode for another 30 miles in another direction (went to check out a bike with my Ducati riding buddy).

5) Rode the bike to work this morning as usual.

6) On the ride home - I had traveled about a mile and the bike dies. No partial power - dead. Roll to a stop on the side of the road.

7) It felt like I hit the kill switch - but I didn't and the lights on the dash were on.

8) I turned everything off - then back on and tried again. Lights are all on - and it turns over normally.

9) No start - No pops - no rumbles, no anything except kee-kee-kee-kee-ka-whirrrrrr as I let my finger off the start button.

10) I unplug the computer seems tight. Plug it back in - goes together well - try again - no joy.

11) At that point I push it the one mile back to work and park it. My buddy was ready to give me a ride home so I didn't spend anymore time on it.

12) While I was waiting for him to get the car I tried turning it over a few times and smelled for raw fuel at the tailpipe. Not a great test - but I didn't smell a thing.

So tomorrow I will check for spark using an ignition tester (the brass gap type of device). Assuming I see a spark - what should I check first on the fuel system - power to the pump I suppose. How do I best go about that? (I have a multimeter and know how to use it).

I'm kind of gut-thinking my computer may be toast. Do the systems I describe support that? How does one go about testing the computer?

How do I best test for fuel flow while cranking?


Thanks for any help gents.

Offline Scott_

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2242
Re: 1990 K75S died suddenly
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 10:56:32 PM »
I'd check the fuel pump connector at the right rear of the fuel tank.
You should have power to the fuel pump when you are pressing the ign switch and the motor turning.
The other thing to check would be power at the Injectors when the motor is turning.
  • My Garage
1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
1997 K1100LT 0302488 (R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb

Offline jasper

  • Curious
  • Posts: 5
Re: 1990 K75S died suddenly
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2013, 11:08:27 PM »
I'd check the fuel pump connector at the right rear of the fuel tank.
You should have power to the fuel pump when you are pressing the ign switch and the motor turning.
The other thing to check would be power at the Injectors when the motor is turning.

That's good stuff right there. What's the technique for checking power at the injectors?

Thanks Scott.

Offline jasper

  • Curious
  • Posts: 5
Re: 1990 K75S died suddenly
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2013, 11:52:38 PM »
I'd check the fuel pump connector at the right rear of the fuel tank.
You should have power to the fuel pump when you are pressing the ign switch and the motor turning.
The other thing to check would be power at the Injectors when the motor is turning.

That's good stuff right there. What's the technique for checking power at the injectors?

Thanks Scott.

Got it - look for constant 12V when the ignition is on. The injectors fire when they are grounded.

Offline TimTyler

  • Adrninistrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1884
Re: 1990 K75S died suddenly
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2013, 12:40:45 AM »
Replace your fuel filter first to eliminate that possibility.

Tags: