Bike won't start after charging flat battery

[SteveL]

Hi everyone,

I'm having all sorts of woes at the moment. My bike had a flat battery (probably because my heated hand-grips have a slow drain, and I haven't ridden for a month or so).

I charged the battery and tried to start it today, but no luck - the engine turns over, but doesn't fire. The orange engine warning light illuminates while I've got the starter button pressed.

I've got the 2004 model where you need to remove the front fairing and raise the fuel tank to get to the battery (brilliant design, Yamaha) so I did this and left the tank slightly raised overnight. I was careful not to put tension on any cables or hoses.

There's plenty of fuel in the tank and the battery is now fully charged. All the cables and hoses under the fuel tank appear to be intact and connected.

The exhaust smells quite rich so I wonder if the engine is flooded (can this happen to a fuel injected engine?).

I vaguely remember having this same problem a year or so ago - something to do with leaving the fuel tank up while charging the battery, causing flooded throttle bodies or something?

Thanks for any advice,
Steve

 

[Motogiro]

If it's flooded, maybe you can pull the plugs clean them and try again. I'm trying to understand what the tank has to do with it if it's FI....unless the injectors are really played? Are you getting spark?

Edit: is your bike a 1994 FZ6????? I know you posted it as an 04 but on your Bike: it lists a 1994 FZ6!

 

[OZXJR]

On removing the inner panels to lift the tank,you don't have too.
Remove the 2 bolts at the front of the tank,remove the seat and then remove the long bolt going through the hinge at the back of the tank.
Then you can carefully slide the tank back and up.Just put the bolt back in so it wont fall :thumbup:


Can't help with your starting problem,sorry.


EDIT:Try here http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-technical/28474-bike-wont-start-after-battery-charge.html

 

[SteveL]

Thanks for the tips - how can I tell if I'm getting a spark (I don't have any specialist tools handy, or even a spark plug spanner)?

I saw another thread about cranking it with the throttle wide open to clear the fuel, but this didn't work.

 

[SteveL]

thanks, I'll give that a go if I have another bloody flat battery

 

[SteveL]

If it's flooded, maybe you can pull the plugs clean them and try again. I'm trying to understand what the tank has to do with it if it's FI....unless the injectors are really played? Are you getting spark?

Edit: is your bike a 1994 FZ6????? I know you posted it as an 04 but on your Bike: it lists a 1994 FZ6!

> on your Bike: it lists a 1994 FZ6!

Oops - fixed my profile. That would be a pre-pre-pre-release model I guess.

 

[Evitzee]

Thanks for the tips - how can I tell if I'm getting a spark (I don't have any specialist tools handy, or even a spark plug spanner)?

I saw another thread about cranking it with the throttle wide open to clear the fuel, but this didn't work.

Fuel injected bikes aren't like carburettored bikes, they don't 'flood' in the normal sense of the word . Is the bike drivable? If so get out and ride it to get the engine warm, and fill up with fresh fuel, you may have some water in the tank. If it was ok before you put it away it is just likely to be a fuel issue.

 

[Humperdinkel]

You didnt happen to buy a dry cell battery did you ??? Check & make sure it has fluid in it , just a thought :don'tknow:... Mate of mine had the same problem so i went to help him out , lifted the battery & thought it was a tad light... Checked it & found he'd bought a dry cell , filled it with demineralized water & she started :thumbup: still running the same battery as far as i know

 

[SteveL]

Hi Evitzee and Humperdinkel,

The bike doesn't start at all so I can't take it for a ride (yet). The battery is sealed and has previously worked (until it ran flat) so it's not the fluid issue.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[SteveL]

Full battery + full throttle = success! (I had to let it turn over for about 30 seconds, then there was that puff of white smoke)

Things I've learned today:

- unplug anything which could drain the battery if you're not riding for a while
- ride more often to charge the battery "naturally"
- try sliding the tank back rather than lifting it, to get to the battery
- this group ROCKS!