1200 Sport Starting Issues???

[Biking Sailor]

Here's one for ya...  My 1200 Sport is getting a little cheeky in the starting department.  I turn on the key switch, watch the "needle dance" as I think it was called here, and hit the start button.  Nothing   , hit the again and nothing   .  Again and it fires to life  .  This has happened a couple of time now only when the bike has been setting for a long period of time and seems to be getting a little worse each day (for the last week).  

This morning on my commute to work, she took longer than ever to respond and I am wondering if it has any thing to do with the "enter users code message" on the display at start up.  I have to admit I have ignored that since I got the bike.  Was I supposed to do something to set it???

What say all you experts?  Thanks in advance for info  .  

Darren

[rdbandkab]

I'm pretty sure the code has nothing to do with it...
You may want to check battery connections and your ground first.  
Get the volt meter out and check the charge rate of your battery...  And maybe get the battery checked while your at it.  Maybe you have a battery that isn't holding a charge as good as it should be.

rdbandkab

[chornbe]

I've actually got an occasional problem with my positive battery cable; the crimp at the connector is a bit shoddy. Next time I'm in there, I'm going to pull it and re-crimp it and/or solder it.

Check things like that.

[Biking Sailor]

Battery?  Hadn't really thought of that much, because when it responds it seems to turn the motor over strong, but when it doesn't respond, it's like the button wasn't even pushed.

I'll check the batttery with my load tester and post results.

Thanks!

[chornbe]

Battery?  Hadn't really thought of that much, because when it responds it seems to turn the motor over strong, but when it doesn't respond, it's like the button wasn't even pushed.

I'll check the batttery with my load tester and post results.

Thanks!

It's not the battery. It'll be the connectors on the cables (loose, or like mine, poorly crimped), or the solenoid.

[Biking Sailor]

Checked battery, moved down to crimp outer sleeves, all tested OK.  Started the bike (of course this time it fired right off at first touch  ) and interesting to note, the digital volt meter on the display was right on my load tester, to within .1 volts.    Nice to know that is accurate!

Crimps "looked" good, but who knows, I'll check better later, along with a look at solenoid connections.

I love the bike, but your calling it "Guzzi Bitch" sure fits.  

[Rabidsnipe]

Consider it part of the "sorting" process that everyone talks about.  I told you all I could so you would go in eyes wide open.

[chornbe]

It remains one of THE most enjoyable machines I've owned yet. Even once a month when I turn the key and clicks dead. Wiggle the wire and it's all good. I just need to take 10 minutes to fix it.

[Biking Sailor]

No regrets on buying the Guzzi!     I love the bike, but I think I will really really love the warranty!  

[Biking Sailor]

This was copied from the Breva 1100 PowerPoint document on the CD that had the service manual.  I received it with the bike.  Seems like I might not be ruling out the "code" statement too quickly!  

JustCallMeChris, This might be of intrest to you on your spare key thread.


The immobilizer system is integrated in the electronic dashboard.

At key-to-ON the dashboard will read the key code. If the code corresponds to the one memorized, the dashboard will activate the initial check and will allow the ECU for engine starting, via the CAN Bus line.

If the key code is not recognized, the dashboard will not permit for engine starting and on the display will appear the request to insert the code to allow for “manually” engine starting.
To the customer will be delivered two keys with transponder, already memorized from the factory and at every key-to-ON the dashboard will ask to insert the personal 5 digit code, if not yet done:

          you must remember to insert the user code

To insert the personal code one must select the function CODE MODIFICATION

[chornbe]

Remember the good old days when bikes were simpler than cars?  

[Biking Sailor]

I was hoping you could explain it to me!  I'm not so good at Italian translated to Spanish, translated to French, translated to, to, whatever several times, to English (or is that American)  

God I get so confused everytime I even think about the Guzzi manual.  

[Biking Sailor]

OOPs, sorry JustCallMeChris, I typed the word "manual" in a Guzzi thread.    Now you'll have to reset your TPS!  

[chornbe]

OOPs, sorry JustCallMeChris, I typed the word "manual" in a Guzzi thread.    Now you'll have to reset your TPS!  

Right? BINGO!

THAT is one thing that truly does irk me about this bike.

OH CRAP I SNEEZED! (reset the TPS)
OH CRAP I REVVED THE ENGINE! (reset the TPS)

[Blunder]

I've not had any issues but it sounds like the proverbial "Italian bike" experience. The fact that the store that sold me mine provided a cable for a battery tender is somewhat telling.

 

[MisterSmooth]

No starting issues here, either.  

The only issue I've had is water invading the switch on the left handlebar during a biblical deluge.  This causes the multifunction trip computer to reset itself at random intervals.   Just annoying, no functional issues were caused at all.

One of these days I've promised myself that I'm going to pull off the rubber boot and fill the space around the switch elements with a couple of drops of silicone.  This is supposed to cure the problem.  So far, though, I've been too lazy to fix it.  

But it starts every time.    I'd recommend checking battery and starter connections...

[atadaskew]

when it doesn't respond, it's like the button wasn't even pushed.

Have you thought about cleaning the starter button's contact point?  Use some electrical cleaner (Radio Shack).

[Biking Sailor]

Have you thought about cleaning the starter button's contact point?  Use some electrical cleaner (Radio Shack).

Good idea.    I am wondering if some contact parts may have gotten a little out of kilter when I swapped the handle bars out, and then back to the originals, then back to the new ones again (wanted to make sure I liked the upright position more).

[Blunder]

No starting issues here, either.  

The only issue I've had is water invading the switch on the left handlebar during a biblical deluge...

One of these days I've promised myself that I'm going to pull off the rubber boot and fill the space around the switch elements with a couple of drops of silicone.  This is supposed to cure the problem.  So far, though, I've been too lazy to fix it.  

But it starts every time.    I'd recommend checking battery and starter connections...

You're too busy traipsing around Italy and other exotic locations.  

I've got the same problems with the trip meter. As I was coming home from the GP that entire side of the clocks went grey. Everything was fine after I pit 5.8 gallons of gas into it in Rio Dell. I hear the silicone deal with the switch gear is the solution.

The weather looks autumnal this weekend. The Samoa Cookhouse, via the hell that is HWY 36, is very enticing.

[MisterSmooth]

You're too busy traipsing around Italy and other exotic locations.  

I've got the same problems with the trip meter. As I was coming home from the GP that entire side of the clocks went grey. Everything was fine after I pit 5.8 gallons of gas into it in Rio Dell. I hear the silicone deal with the switch gear is the solution.

The weather looks autumnal this weekend. The Samoa Cookhouse, via the hell that is HWY 36, is very enticing.

Man, that sounds nice.   Sorry you have to endure 36 yet again.    Make sure you take some pictures, OK?  You don't have to post them, of course.