Problem at startup

[allhans4]

I could use some help/advise:

My last two rides this week (Wed and Sat (today)), the Valkyrie would not start right away.  Key on, lights/indicators normal, fuel pump priming run with the key on as usual, but just turned over without starting.  Check engine light eventually came on and was flashing.  Owner's manual says this indicates a fuel injection problem. Owner's manual also recommended I hold the throttle open and crank for 5 seconds. 

After doing this, and a few more tries, she started.  Let her run a couple of minutes, then turned off with key.  Started right up after that, and ran perfectly for a 75 mile ride.  That was three days ago after sitting outside for two weeks idle.

Today, same thing, then ran perfectly for 105 miles.

Any ideas/help will be much appreciated.

[Bobvalk]

Did you add bad gas before Wednesday ride? Try a tankful of non ethanol.

[allhans4]

I filled up before I parked it two weeks ago, so maybe.  Problem is that once it started, it ran great.

I had been using non-ethanol fuel, but since relocating to Montgomery, Alabama I have not been able to find any (but I have not looked that hard, either).

[Hot Rod]

Most likely caused from ethanol fuel. That stuff starts to decay after 2 weeks ! Never understood why this is put in our fuel...... purely political ! You can argue that it burns cleaner.....So does water but I'm not putting that in my tank ! If a bike is going to set over a couple weeks with same fuel in tank it HAS to have an additive or you are playing "Russian roulette" with your fuel system,run some Techron from time to time to clean out injectors  ....... JMHO of course ......Rod

[allhans4]

Do you recommend an particular fuel additive?

[turboyoshi]

Do you recommend an particular fuel additive?

I guess I'm fortunate that I can almost always get pure gas but I use b12 chemtool if i have to use ethanol blended gas, I feel like it works better than seafoam.   You can check https://www.pure-gas.org/ to see if there are places near you that sell non ethanol gas.

[Robert]

Please next time it does it write the code down and post it here. The check engine light will flash like Morse code to tell you whats wrong with the engine. Most codes are pretty specific and would at least point you in the right direction. You can get them with the key on after the engine fails to start and leaving the key in the on position. Without that code then its all guessing. The first flash will be a long one or many long ones that is the ten position. The short ones are the ones, so eleven would be one long flash and one short flash. There may be more than one code and it will flash in succession. Even if you bring the bike to the dealer to have this information will help. I do have the shop manual that lists all the codes and I would be more than happy to look at them for you. The Goldwing has some of the same codes but its not exact.

[TallRider]

Unfortunately my bike sits for long periods of time as well since I have to spend more time with my wife's health issues. I run street gas in mine bike starts every time instantly. I have only run short runs back and forth to McDonald's or store just to get it out. Recreational fuel is readily available here in South Fla Check Wawa' s or Sam's Club they both sell it here. Good luck. Ride safe.

[allhans4]

Please next time it does it write the code down and post it here. The check engine light will flash like Morse code to tell you whats wrong with the engine. Most codes are pretty specific and would at least point you in the right direction. You can get them with the key on after the engine fails to start and leaving the key in the on position. Without that code then its all guessing. The first flash will be a long one or many long ones that is the ten position. The short ones are the ones, so eleven would be one long flash and one short flash. There may be more than one code and it will flash in succession. Even if you bring the bike to the dealer to have this information will help. I do have the shop manual that lists all the codes and I would be more than happy to look at them for you. The Goldwing has some of the same codes but its not exact.

This morning it started right up....well, not exactly.  I did not start initially, did not even turn over, so I watched the indicator lights and was waiting to count the tens and ones.  I got a single short flash.  I am pretty sure that means "It's in gear, you idiot!"  (yesterday, it was flashing a lot, but I did not know it was code.  Thanks Robert).

So after that, it started right up.  I fueled up yesterday after the mishap, so I suspect the new fuel displaced most of the older.  After the ride today, I filled up with non-ethanol, so hopefully that will be the end of this issue.  I had been using non-ethanol fuel previously, but switched after moving to Alabama.

Thanks for all the help and advise, my friends.  

[zackod]

Possible intermittent Kill Switch issue.  My blue beast is at the dealer right now getting new Kill and Turn Signal switches.   I could put up with the High Beam intermittently not coming on when i asked it to, but when i got stranded for five minutes punching my Starter Switch with nothing happening, i took it in.   Was told after dis-assemble that the Kill Switch insides showed a burn mark.    I went cross country last September, getting rained on heavily, and snowed on.    Maybe that jacked my switches.   

[Verismo]

I don't know if the factory ecu reset is the same on the Valk as it is on the F6b, but if so, you unhook your battery cables, reconnect, start it, and don't touch the throttle until the fans come on.  Might be worth a shot after checking the kill switch/switch connections, and the battery load upon startup.  Good luck!!

[Robert]

I can also agree with the switch issue on any of our bikes since I believe that is a common problem. If you flip the switch a few times and see if anything changes, just remember to lube the switches also.

[zackod]

'Do you recommend an particular fuel additive?'  The shop that rebuilt (de-gum'ed) my 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200 carborators recommended (and sells) Sentry Fuel Treatment.    The Bandit gets this and non-ethanol gas (when possible).   I've never had Carb issues since.    Check out the Sentry promo video that claims to remove water from the gas.  With Valk fuel injection, you should not need a fuel additive nor non-ethanol gas.   I treat my Valk with Sentry every 5th fill-up just because.    Probably a waste of $$$.

[Robert]

If you are asking me, I only use Chevron Techron as a real cleaner. The other one for maintenance is Sea Foam and as a fuel stabilizer for longer storage Pri G.

The Chevron Techron does actually do a pretty good job cleaning. The Sea Foam mildly cleans and help stabilize the fuel.

[CajunRider]

May be the same issue the Goldwings occasionally have??? 
- Starter spins good
- All lights good
- Engine doesn't even TRY to start... just cranks and cranks

- Give up and let it sit for a while (anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day)... Bike cranks like nothing is wrong. 

Google "GL1800 Won't Start".  Seems to have been reported multiple times, and no one seems to know what it is.  Of those who report it, they generally claim that it's only happened once or twice.

Some owners have had the bike towed to the dealer, only to have it start perfectly fine when it gets there, which makes it even herder to diagnose.

Mine did that once... hasn't since, and runs great. 

[allhans4]

 

My problem appears to have been the ethanol fuel breakdown issue stated above.  I have since located non-ethanol fuel here after a short search, so I have switched back.  Also ran a tank with a fuel additive.

She starts right up again like always.

Thank you for all the excellent advise.

[Robert]

My problem appears to have been the ethanol fuel breakdown issue stated above.  I have since located non-ethanol fuel here after a short search, so I have switched back.  Also ran a tank with a fuel additive.

She starts right up again like always.

Thank you for all the excellent advise.