94 K1100LT No Spark

[Folsoml]

I have to admit I am overwhelmed by this BMW system.  It is nothing like any other bike on which I have worked.  The problem is that it has no spark.  Everything lights up, I hear the fuel pump working, it turns over, it just does not start.  I pulled one spark plug out and grounded it to the engine while turning the engine over with the starter.  No spark.  The kill switch it set to on. 

There are several wires inside the relay box that have been clipped by a previous owner. I cannot find a wiring diagram that shows where these wires should go.  An extra relay has also been added for reasons I've not yet been able to determine.

I found this troubleshooting guide, but it is for the K100.  What, if any, differences will I find for my bike?

http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bvogel/K100/download/bike-wont-start1.htm   

[Brad-Man]

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4941.0

[Folsoml]

Excellent!  The second one on that link is closer to what I was looking for.  I kept finding the first one, but it did not show coils, plugs, and several other things I was looking for.

[Folsoml]

Thanks again for the link.  I took all the electrical connections apart and cleaned them, got some new spark plugs, and she fired up. 

Check her out:



PS:  So that bubbling you hear in the fuel tank is normal?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yeehaa!!!  It's pretty damn hard to keep a good brick down.  Congratulations on a job well done.

[Folsoml]

I'm trying to figure out now how to bleed the front brakes. 

[Martin]

Folsom easiest way I have found is to vacuum bleed from the bottom. My bleeder is homemade, using a large jar and some 1/4 inch bulk head fittings in the lid. One 1/4" copper tube goes all the way to the bottom of the jar, the other bulkhead fitting is left tubeless. On the outside both bulkheads are fitted with short tubes, the one that goes to the bottom of the jar has a hose that goes to the bleed nipple. The other bulkhead fitting has a hose that goes to a compressor driven suction pickup gun. When everything is connected crack the bleed nipple, and trigger suction gun in short bursts, old fluid is sucked out. Top up master cylinder reservoir while doing this. Or you could just go and buy a suction bleeder. They weren't around twenty years ago in OZ and that's how long mine has been working for my vehicles and quite a few mates vehicles.
Regards Martin

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Does your bike have ABS brakes?  If so, you need to bleed at the ABS motor first, and then at the calipers.

It's pretty straightforward. Get a bottle to catch the old fluid and a couple feet of clear 1/8" i.d. tubing.

Put a couple towels on the tank to protect it from the fluid.  Remove the reservoir cover And suck out the old fluid with a turkey baster.  Refill with clean DOT 4 fluid.  Open bleeder, squeeze lever slowly, close bleeder, release lever slowly.  Repeat until fluid is clear and there are no bubbles.  Watch the reservoir level closely so you don't run out of fluid and suck air into the system.

[Folsoml]

Does your bike have ABS brakes?  If so, you need to bleed at the ABS motor first, and then at the calipers.

It's pretty straightforward. Get a bottle to catch the old fluid and a couple feet of clear 1/8" i.d. tubing.

Put a couple towels on the tank to protect it from the fluid.  Remove the reservoir cover And suck out the old fluid with a turkey baster.  Refill with clean DOT 4 fluid.  Open bleeder, squeeze lever slowly, close bleeder, release lever slowly.  Repeat until fluid is clear and there are no bubbles.  Watch the reservoir level closely so you don't run out of fluid and suck air into the system.

I have this set up.  This is what is causing me confusion, but thanks for this explanation.

[Brad-Man]

You are most welcome Folsoml!

Sometimes when we try to help we actually succeed!  :2thumbup:

[Folsoml]

I got the brakes bled and took her around the block for the first time.  It was a slow and short trip as the tires are dangerously close to a catastrophic failure.  I have a new rear tire in stock, but I need to order one for the front.  Also, the ABS does not seem to be working.