1199R won't start

[PaulC996]

Picked up a 2013 1199R with 1900 miles on it. Bike started OK the first few times, but the battery was weak still being the original one. Got a new battery, charged it and fitted it, now the bike won't start. Everything lights up OK, fuel pump primes and it will turn over and nearly start, just won't catch. Tried cycling the key on and off a few times, trying a little bit of throttle etc, but to no avail. There was some minor arcing upon attaching the negative terminal, but nothing that I'd consider unusal. I still checked fuses just in case and they all appear fine. I'm in the DC area and it's freezing cold, but warmed the garage up for a few hours and tried again, with no luck. Any good suggestions?

 

[Don14R]

You ride or trailer it home?

Did you stop and add fuel?

How much fuel was in it when you got it?

How old was that fuel?

If you did fuel it how much did you add?

 

[PaulC996]

Trailered it home. Has about 3/4 of a tank. Fuel is probably a few months old, so that could be a bit of a contributor, but bike would definitely start prior to battery change. Not easily, but it would start and run ok.

 

[Don14R]

Hopefully it just sloshed a bunch of fuel into the charcoal canister while being trailered : )

Check yer pm’s

 

[Mick1976]

Picked up a 2013 1199R with 1900 miles on it. Bike started OK the first few times, but the battery was weak still being the original one. Got a new battery, charged it and fitted it, now the bike won't start. Everything lights up OK, fuel pump primes and it will turn over and nearly start, just won't catch. Tried cycling the key on and off a few times, trying a little bit of throttle etc, but to no avail. There was some minor arcing upon attaching the negative terminal, but nothing that I'd consider unusal. I still checked fuses just in case and they all appear fine. I'm in the DC area and it's freezing cold, but warmed the garage up for a few hours and tried again, with no luck. Any good suggestions?

 

[Mick1976]

When was last time the bike ran? Even if one of the primary injectors was clogged or only getting spark on one cylinder it would still run on one cylinder so other things to look at is the MAP sensors and everything that lives on the 5v circuit- kickstand sensor, shift sensor, map sensors all on that circuit if one of them went bad or faulty connection bike wont run.

 

[PaulC996]

Bike was running only one day before, for about 25 minutes. Appeared to be running fairly smoothly, but battery was definitely on the way out. Next day, battery was only good enough to turn it over for a few seconds without starting, hence new battery installed.

 

[Mick1976]

No lights or dash errors? If you have installed the new battery it should be turning over ok if its not turning over I would be looking to make sure you don't have a ground problem.

 

[PaulC996]

No lights or dash errors? If you have installed the new battery it should be turning over ok if its not turning over I would be looking to make sure you don't have a ground problem.

No errors on dash. Bike turns over, will even cough once or twice, just won’t catch

 

[Mick1976]

So no errors and is turning over ok sounds like you need to check the fuel delivery and spark. How old is the gas?

 

[PaulC996]

So no errors and is turning over ok sounds like you need to check the fuel delivery and spark. How old is the gas?

Correct. Not quite sure on the gas, but only a couple of months I believe. Am going to check the charcoal canister and a couple of other things, following which I'll check spark. Thanks

 

[Mick1976]

Yeah gas is probably ok so yep check charcoal cannister best to remove it permantely so yeah besides that make sure you have spark.

 

[Bo13R]

Bike was running only one day before, for about 25 minutes. Appeared to be running fairly smoothly, but battery was definitely on the way out. Next day, battery was only good enough to turn it over for a few seconds without starting, hence new battery installed.

Your problem is right in that statement.
You tried to start the bike and only cranked over few times, without starting it... I know it is not your fault due to battery but you fouled your plugs! Been there done that on my '13 R.
What you can TRY is spray some starting fluid in your airbox directly ( some disassembly required, PLEASE BE CAREFUL) or you can try to spray it through your intake ducts and HOPE it will help. I was not so lucky and spark plug replacement solved the problem (quite a lot of disassembly required, front cyl. in particular)
On another note you can leave your bike alone and heat your garage until is nice and 65-70° for few days, let bike soak the temp and it will help with evaporation of excessive fule in cylinder. After that give it a shot.
Your scenario in my case also happened when it was cold outside, bike ran fine day ago and battery was weak.
Hope this helps.

 

[PaulC996]

Your problem is right in that statement.
You tried to start the bike and only cranked over few times, without starting it... I know it is not your fault due to battery but you fouled your plugs! Been there done that on my '13 R.
What you can TRY is spray some starting fluid in your airbox directly ( some disassembly required, PLEASE BE CAREFUL) or you can try to spray it through your intake ducts and HOPE it will help. I was not so lucky and spark plug replacement solved the problem (quite a lot of disassembly required, front cyl. in particular)
On another note you can leave your bike alone and heat your garage until is nice and 65-70° for few days, let bike soak the temp and it will help with evaporation of excessive fule in cylinder. After that give it a shot.
Your scenario in my case also happened when it was cold outside, bike ran fine day ago and battery was weak.
Hope this helps.

Thanks, obviously a little more temperamental/highly strung compared to my Multistrada! May just have to launch in and pull the plugs.

 

[Mick1976]

Yeah easy check just pull the tank and pull the vertical plug ground it to the case turn over motor. Also since you take the tank off and disconnect the fuel line at the quick disconnect make sure the lines are full of fuel that means fuel is making its way to the injectors ok.

 

[Bo13R]

Thanks, obviously a little more temperamental/highly strung compared to my Multistrada! May just have to launch in and pull the plugs.

If you do decide to pull plugs, replace them!
Also check your horizontal head valve cover gasket for any leaks ( obvious sign of that is oily top of the lower radiator). If it's leaking now would be good time to replace it, if no leak check torque on valve cover bolts and move on. I usually put a little dab of torque stripe so I can visually check if bolts started to loosen up or no. Good luck man, I am in Annapolis area not too far from you, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I also have pdf of service manual, if you want copy PM me your email and I'll get it to you.

 

[Paul G]

I find it hard to believe that a few cranks will foul the plugs..... you will smell the unburnt gas. Id make sure the new battery is fully charged, properly connected and try again opening the throttle to full a few times. As i said youll smell the raw gas and if not, that may be your problem.

 

[PaulC996]

I find it hard to believe that a few cranks will foul the plugs..... you will smell the unburnt gas. Id make sure the new battery is fully charged, properly connected and try again opening the throttle to full a few times. As i said youll smell the raw gas and if not, that may be your problem.

Can confirm the battery is fully charged, and connected properly. I end up with some smoke coming from the pipes, so a level of ingition happening, just not enough to catch. Tried opening throttle a little and full. A mild smell of unburnt fuel too. Have confirmed I don't have the charcoal canister fitted, so now will try warming everything up and maybe some starter fluid to see if an easy fix, followed by pulling plugs. I'll wait to the opportunity to get it out for a decent ride (not in the snow) and then put some fresh fuel in, assuming I can get it to fire up. Then I think the solution is I just need to ride it more often. Funny that my old 996 is actually less temperamental based on current experience.

 

[sota748]

NGK spark plugs ?, they behave like you description.
Like others write replace them.
You can save the old plugs with a gentle glassblowing , but replacement is better.

 

[jock39racer]

Hi mate,
I had the exact same issue this week. Hooked the pump up to a temp hose and worked perfect (phew). Put a new plug in the vertical cylinder and bike fired up first crank.
As many have already said hopefully it’s just the vertical as the horizontal is more involved.
Good luck