Motorcycle engine turn over but wont start? 11 tips to troubleshoot

[@jontnoneya3404]

Things to check: 1 - Fuel - HD recommends at least 1 gallon in the tank 2 - Spark Plugs - they might be bad preventing ignition 3 - Battery Charge and Connection 4 - Oil - what kind and weight. 5 - Connection between plugs and wires on both sides of wires 6 - Power to coil, ECM and Battery 7 - Make sure coil, ECM and Sensors are working correctly 8 - Bank Angle Sensor 9 - Fuel Filter 10 - Valves and pushrods might not be working well 11 - Fuel injectors

[@RidersUnited]

Good tips as well

[@chrislougheed154]

Thanks! Going down your checklist this weekend!

[@RidersUnited]

Hope it helps if not I have more videos for troubleshooting and next one is coming tomorrow.

[@johnb3291]

Put a fresh battery in the key fob. I'm not kidding. Jacked around with my buddies 2019 trike for 3 days. It would turn over and quickly stall. Tried a jump, a new battery, drained fuel, put new in. A guy told to replace fob battery and she started right up. All the electricals now days communicate back and forth. I'm still shaking my head.

[@RidersUnited]

Thanks for good tip

[@tomm7301]

Great instructional video, my friend. My FLSTC suddenly lost power and couldn’t be restarted yesterday. I’m going to use your checklist this afternoon. Thanks!

[@RidersUnited]

There is few more troubleshooting videos I did depending on your bike symptoms

[@HDVIBE]

Great tips and all good steps to check if your bike will not start. Thanks for sharing this information. Ride safe 👊👍

[@RidersUnited]

More of my videos here: kzbin.info CLICK THIS Link to SUBSCRIBE: kzbin.info

[@jeironamobey8136]

My bike pops but wont start. It was low on oil and i added some last night to get to the crib. I have to change the valve seals and it was smoking on startup and leaking from the valve cover gasket.

[@andrewvickers4487]

Thanks, these tips serve as a comprehensive checklist and could really come in handy sometime. Just curious, how do you rate the troubleshooting help in the owner's manual? Less accessible?

[@RidersUnited]

Service manual is always your best friend 100% this is the best source that saved me many times

[@bobrose3298]

Excellent information. Great job.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you Bob

[@armandorios5835]

Thank you for the info

[@RidersUnited]

Glad you seen value in it

[@JosephBocchino-xs9hs]

Man is right on.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you sir

[@markkeller8342]

Does how it died make a difference when doing you troubleshooting. For example, right before it died it was was sputtering like if i didnt keep reving the engine it would die. Like something with the carb. not idling. Was it wrong to put octane booster in the gas tank?

[@RidersUnited]

Based on what you described I will suggest cleaning carb jets and check timing. Octane buster is no big deal.

[@pavlopalmer8790]

Thanks mate!

[@RidersUnited]

You're welcome!

[@EdwardNagel]

Had the fix from Harley applied to my 24 RG CVO ST just a few days ago and guess what???? It still cranks, but won't start from time-to-time. The update did NOTHING! MY bike is headed back into the service dept in a couple of days... but I am NOT hopeful.

[@taybortalkgaming4885]

I'm guessing my deep set sparks are dead, very informative video!

[@RidersUnited]

Glad to be able to help somehow.

[@28Faina]

Hey man wondering if you can help. I have a 96 Sportster chopper I’ve been building. No start issue. Bike ran great before so compression is good. Plugs have nice big spark. Fuel is flowing from petcock into carb. Battery is good. Bike will crank and crank but won’t start.

[@RidersUnited]

I got 1994 in the past so I am really familiar with this model. If you have a spark and fuel flow to carb my next question would be does fuel flow into throttle body and combustion chamber? Will also check all these jets just to make sure all is nice and clear, float level and timing. If bike run before I would guess timing is in order so issue is probably in fuel delivery into combustion chamber I would expect. Check compression too if possible.

[@xmarksthespotmarksmanship2730]

Amazing video brother i just subscribed 👍

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your kind comment. Means a world to me.

[@michaelsisk5938]

Good video, but my bike only has a difficult time starting first thing in the morning. I find that if I prime the engine that it will start. When the bike is warm, no problem. New plugs and battery. Any idea

[@RidersUnited]

What do you mean prime the engine? Choke? Is your bike carb or efi?

[@michaelsisk5938]

To start the bike, I push the start button, activate the kill switch, wait a few seconds and then deactivate the kill switch, wait a few seconds and then push the start button. This is the procedure that Indian recommended for starting a bike after it runs out of gas. It adds extra fuel into the cylinders. If I do this procedure twice it will flood the engine. Today, I added Sea Foam fuel injector cleaner. It definitely solved the loss of problem-the bike did a wheelie 😂. I can let you know tomorrow when I do a cold start. Bike only had 22,000 miles. Thank you

[@therversonkanavathy7554]

Thank you for the great video. I have a CBR600F4i. I occasionally started the engine over the winter without issue. 2 weeks later, I want to use it, it is problematic. Recharged the battery fully. Electric starter keeps turning, but no start. Squeezed the throttle, but no change. Kickstarting is almost instantaneous. What could be the problematic parts/fluids?

[@RidersUnited]

Generally it is not good to start bike during winter storage as you spread moisture inside the engine which is not good. Based on what I understand you can kick start it but no go if you use electric starter? That would be strange but I will check for spark and check electrical system as maybe starter is drawing too much power when turning affecting spark. Check battery voltage as well just to make sure it is actually holding charge properly.

[@therversonkanavathy7554]

Thank you. Yes the bike was able to kick start but not electric start. Battery voltage is good. Have not checked spark plugs yet. I took it to the local mechanic, who suggested that it could be stale fuel. I did top up 5 litres, but no difference until about half empty. Thereafter it started right up. Soon after the reserve light came on, I filled it complete with 15l (18l tank) of E5 petrol. Thereafter it started having starting issues again.

[@RidersUnited]

@@therversonkanavathy7554 try to add fuel stabilizer to new batch of fuel. If fuel sit in carburetor over winter it can clog small jets with junk.

[@michaelvalenzuela9468]

What’s up I have 05 sportster 1200. It was working fine for a while then when I start it it runs but once I let the throttle go it sometimes dies on cold start. So id have to rev it a bit until it’s good to let throttle go. Second sometimes it would stall the jerk after going off a red light. I’ve change spark plugs and gapped it well. But recently I ran it empty and it died out on the road. I refilled gas and it cranks but doesn’t turn. Battery voltage is good. It was also raining that day when I had my bike out lmk please

[@RidersUnited]

This video actually describes all the steps for bike that cranks and doesnt start. Did you go through every step?

[@DonaldMclean-gq1sp]

Hey, my 2001 Electra classic sometimes. Won't start after turning off sometime after getting gas,it always starts in my garage before I leave

[@ryanharrigan7175]

Same issue on my 2000 SV did you ever figure it out?

[@RidersUnited]

This seems possibly related to heat. Check all electrical components related to ignition as these are often sensitive to heat.

[@mikedaguy3049]

I have a question I have a Honda shadow 1100 cc my bike before I cleaned the carb would start but only run with the choke fully on and if given gas would die if I fully twisted the throttle it would still run I rebuilt the carb and now it shoots some smoke out the back and won’t go further then crank and sputter for two seconds then die

[@RidersUnited]

Check for air leak, this system has to be tight. Easy thing to miss that might create such issues. Smoke is rather not related but might indicate oil leak to combustion chamber via valve seals or piston rings so rather separate issue

[@mikedaguy3049]

@@RidersUnited thank you I’ll let you know how it goes

[@uwejuergen]

Nice informative video Artur, love the shirt !!

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you yeah this shirt was definitely printed ti catch people attention LOL

[@N.E.O.T.W.]

Good info. I love your shirt. How can I get one?

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you it was custom made t-shirt but I plan to open store on KZbin in near future

[@stellijer]

What about where I can't seem to get it to have more than a second of rev then just clicks, even in jump start mode on the charger?

[@RidersUnited]

Charge your battery fully this might be the reason why

[@stellijer]

@RidersUnited I had it on the charger for hours before writing that. However, after a couple charge cycles it finally "woke up" and now is starting normally. I'll still want to get the battery fully tested though

[@geoffreynichols7743]

Why is my motorcycle fuel pump is not receiving the power even new relay unit and new fuel pump and new battery

[@RidersUnited]

Seems like power delivery to starter is not 100% operational somewhere on the way.

[@geoffreynichols7743]

@@RidersUnited yeah I know it's not delivering but why?

[@justbrowsing5256]

I accidentally overfilled my gas tank. Got home shut it off for 20 minutes and now will turn but won’t start. Any suggestions?

[@RidersUnited]

Did you go over all the steps outlined in the video?

[@samhyde5593]

My bike stopped working. It would just click when trying to start. It would only fire up if I jumped it. I replaced the battery and now it’s actually trying to start and fire up but won’t. What do you think the issue could be?

[@RidersUnited]

Is the starter still clicking only when you try to crank it without jumping? That might be weak terminal connection with your battery especially if you have other things connected to your battery. Next ai will check for spark and fuel if both are present. Did you do any upgrades recently were there any symptoms before?

[@hconel]

hi, thanks for the info. my bike cranks, but starts if and only if i open the gas slightly as i crank. the longer i leave the bike unused (24-72 hours), worse the situation. i think the colder weather also has a negative effect. what do you suggest? (bike is 3 months old, it has 1300 km on it)

[@RidersUnited]

Seems like fuel delivery issue during cold start up. Check your low rpm/choke settings, fuel filter to assure you have proper flow. If bike is this new I hope you still have warranty. Hope it will help.

[@joshvieira9976]

My motorcycle is cranking but won’t start, I have a feeling it may be the kickstand switch but I’m not sure what else it could be

[@joshvieira9976]

It’s a 2009 triumph speed triple 1050cc

[@RidersUnited]

I dont believe if kickstand switch is activated it will even allow cranking.

[@johnibbertson2960]

none of these tips solved my starting problem, ie no ground pulse at injector but main power there. thus no fuel to throttle body ,tested off bike works great?????

[@HiPeezy]

My bike cranks but no start. You can hear it trying but doesn’t actually get started. Whenever it does start I have to keep throttle open slightly and it will die at idle. Any idea?

[@RidersUnited]

Seems like fuel delivery issue to me. If you have carb I will check all jets

[@HiPeezy]

@@RidersUnited I do have a carb. Any tips for a thorough clean and rebalancing?

[@RidersUnited]

@@HiPeezyIn case of carb taking jets out would be the most effective. You can try injector cleaner in fuel but bike will need to run for all this to go through the system and with low rpm engine speed not allowing this it wont probably work. Check fuel filter, float set up and all passages to assure these are nice and clean. Getting OEM service manual would be the best investment to help you correct this issue

[@mranlontao]

Hello everyone, my 2017 883 tipped over in the garage while off and now wont start, does bike have to be fully upright and cycle through on/ off switch? I have it leaned on kickstand and all lights turn on but engine wont start. Any suggestions?

[@RidersUnited]

I believe you triggered tip off system. 1. Upright the bike 2. Switch main ignition switch off then back on again 3. Attempt restart with starter switch after 10 seconds You might also try to turn of warning lights

[@mranlontao]

@@RidersUnited thatnks for the suggestion brother! I’ll give it a try

[@RidersUnited]

@@mranlontao sure thing hope all will be good this is nothing serious you should worry about for sure

[@mranlontao]

@@RidersUnited 👍

[@MrTonytouchy]

Bike keeps trying to turn over. Maybe in a blue moon it might but will not again right after. Starts then shuts off.. new battery, spark plugs, wire set, new oil change.

[@allgasmedia]

having the same issue.

[@RidersUnited]

I will definitely check power connection to battery and follow all check steps outlined in the video

[@Itzybjose]

My bike tilt on me and it leaked an oil I tried seeing if it has a crack but it doesn’t and now it won’t start

[@Itzybjose]

Battery is good I don’t know what’s the issue tho

[@RidersUnited]

Getting spark and fuel? You might have tilt sensor that was activated if bike was dropped

[@alexmarleau8738]

Hello I just power washed my bike and it won’t start it has an electrical connection as I can hear it trying to start but it won’t unless I bump start it what do you think might be the problem ??

[@RidersUnited]

You mean you need to jump start it to grt it going? I will start with checking battery connection for starters

[@alexmarleau8738]

@@RidersUnited yeah exactly and I did check the battery connection there are good, then I put the battery on a trickle charger but the battery was fully charged, the last thing I tried is to leave it out in the sun so it can dry properly if that doesn’t work I’m going to bring the bike to a Mechanic

[@alexmarleau8738]

I think it might be the starter but I don’t want to start pulling random wires and what not to fined out as I don’t know much about stuff like that and don’t want to mess it up any more

[@RidersUnited]

@@alexmarleau8738 really sorry to hear the key is to avoid high pressure to be applied on the bike always keep your distance

[@macsqualitypainting2147]

Bike died when I was on freeway and now won't start...... It's a 2000 dyna and was working perfectly fine before this..... Any ideas what to check?!

[@RidersUnited]

Does starter crank? Do you have spark and fuel. You will have to provide more info and symptoms you are experiencing.

[@bencoleman5383]

Same thing happened to me lol did you ever figure it out?

[@duncanmatthews1977]

Electrical grease?

[@RidersUnited]

They have special grease for electrical connections yes

[@duncanmatthews1977]

@@RidersUnited isn’t that dielectric grease that is put in afterwards to stop moisture corroding the connection? I don’t think it’s a conductor to help the electric flow..

[@RidersUnited]

@@duncanmatthews1977 correct it is preventing oxidation.

[@carolinezenda1264]

My bike is a sym 125 it iddles and dies not iddling long wht might be the problem

[@RidersUnited]

If it is carburetor bike I feel thats where your problem might be

[@carolinezenda1264]

@@RidersUnited so caburator need to fixed

[@RidersUnited]

@@carolinezenda1264 that would be first thing I would check.

[@bravomoto9302]

Hey, my battery is charged and everything but it only fires up if i push start it.. it wont button start

[@RidersUnited]

Check starter relay this might be why. At least starter should “click” when you push the button. You might also get some wiring problems from button to starter (but I doubt that unless you did something to wires recently)

[@bravomoto9302]

@@RidersUnited i havent done anything to the wires, even after a long ride it wont button start.. sometimes it even fails to push start or even jump start

[@RidersUnited]

@@bravomoto9302 are you getting spark at the spark plug all the time as expected and proper fuel delivery into cylinder? Next thing i will check is voltage regulator and coil. Seems like your coil might be getting issues other option would be spark plug cables. You can check all these components with basic ohm meter but you will need to know proper specs from your service manual or dealer.

[@bravomoto9302]

@@RidersUnited i checked… everything is working fine… battery properly charged, charging system is good.. has gas i just not sure why after it charges after a fresh start.. it won’t button start again

[@RidersUnited]

@@bravomoto9302 might be faulty button seems like. Hope I could be there to help you

[@DjMikeattackLV]

My 2006 FXDBI WONT START WHEN ITS HOT BUT PERFECTLY FINE COLD. 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@RidersUnited]

Seems like something is overheating. Did you check your spark?

[@DjMikeattackLV]

@@RidersUnited yea and fuel 😵‍💫

[@RidersUnited]

@@DjMikeattackLV well thats strange if there is a fuel and spark engine should start unless timing is messed up or you are loosing compression somewhere

[@SteveLindemann]

I got gas getting to the car raider I got spark but I'm blowing a fuse at the Ignition Somebody got an idea

[@RidersUnited]

I would check coil, voltage regulator and all other electrical components. You might have a short somewhere too

[@gobradon]

What about ignition and stator? Cool wire can come lose from ignition on older bikes like chopper's.

[@RidersUnited]

Good point thanks for sharing

[@carolinezenda1264]

My bike cranks but not starting

[@RidersUnited]

Check out this video for step by step checks hope this will help

[@Swimfinz]

1gal equals 3.7 liters

[@RidersUnited]

Yes, you are correct 3.78L

[@acceptjesuschrist4132]

Hello sir I’m really desperate my motorcycle cranks but won’t Start I changed fuel pump, cleaned fuel injectors, changed spark plugs changed gas,new battery and still doesn’t start I have a short video on my KZbin that you can see what I’m talking about please I’m begging 🙏🏻 what can it be ? fuses are good and starter solenoid is good ?

[@RidersUnited]

It has to be issue with fuel or spark or air or combination of these factors. If it cranks and wont start and you follow this video you will find your issue as there is no other cause that can create such condition. Go step by step and check all these 11 things and I am sure you will find it.

[@RidersUnited]

I have seen your video your bike starts but wont continue running. Send me email at [e-mail] and I will provide further steps to check. Did you check fuel filter? Feels like issue with fuel delivery to me

[@vlvtrabbit]

What was it?? I have same issue but I think it's bad fuel regulator & housing.. please let me know, I feel your frustrations.

[@acceptjesuschrist4132]

@@vlvtrabbit it was the carburetor I sprayed some carburetor cleaner first and cleaned it after that I sprayed some starter fluid and it worked try that out and tell me how it goes

[@john.j.caballar]

Mine was just charging The battery

[@RidersUnited]

Glad this helped and thank you for your comment

[@aaronchase4648]

do you not think that people check that simple stuff before getting on line trying to find a legitimate cause

[@RidersUnited]

No

[@KingThor-yr4ok]

just point to the parts your talking about stop rubing them

[@RidersUnited]

I would hope whoever try to fix it would know which part is which

[@9921moo]

with your accent do this...talk slower...open your mouth wide when you speak....speak louder and slower !!!

[@RidersUnited]

Thanks 😉