Triumphrat

kubloomfi · 05-21-2004

Hello all,
Periodically, when I attempt to fire up my '03 S3, I'm having problems. When I turn the key to the on position, the headlights and instrument lighting turn on, but the instument display is blank, the fuel pump doesn't come on, and nothing happens when I press the starter. (clutch is in while starting and it doesn't matter if it's in neutral or in gear with the kickstand up)

At first I was told by the local dealer that the computer needs to re-initialize, and I can accomplish this by toggling the kill switch on and off a few times, and turning the key off and on. I have been able to get it started after 30-60 seconds of a willy-nilly combo of toggling the kill switch and turning the key between the off and on position as suggested, but can't seem to nail down what is actually 'resetting' the bike's ignition.

I've since been told that it is a programming problem with the computer and it could need a new black box, or the ignition switch itself. If so, it will be covered under warrentee, but the whole problem just seems downright squirrelly. Is their something I'm missing? :???:
(not sure if this question will come to mind, but, I never use the kill switch to turn the engine off) it is always in the on position unless I'm trying to fix this problem)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

superdave1018 · 08-20-2005

did you ever get anywhere with this?? my s3 seems to have the same problem...but only aft 5700 miles

kuhlka · 08-20-2005

I am having the exact same problem, only I noticed mine after the bike was sat in the rain all day long. I am lead to believe it is not the ignition switch, but rather a faulty/wet/bad kill switch. If my problem continues I'll take the assembly apart and see what I can do, otherwise it'll be getting replaced come the 12k service.

kuhlka · 08-21-2005

Well hey hey, I go to start up my bike today and all that happens is the display lights up with the headlights and no readout. The tach just remains dead as though the kill switch is on, yet when I flick the kill switch I hear the circuit working in the tail section. This time, no amount of flicking or twiddling will get the tach to initialize or the nice FI whirring to occur.

It behaves as though the battery is low, but I hooked the battery up to a charger and it is reading in the green. I'm thinking some electrical component is shorted. If I don't manage to get the bike to start, I'm going to take it in for warranty service. I finally have time to ride the bike after weeks of overtime and now the***** won't start...

kubloomfi · 09-03-2005

sorry guys. haven't been visiting the board for a while.
the problem was fixed under warranty. it was a bad fuel injection relay, located as you mentioned, in the tail section. if it's of help the part number was T2500077.
I had this done last november and it has been fine since then.
on to the next thing... sometimes the speedometer doesn't work.

SprintRide · 09-04-2005

Guys, you most likely do have a faulty ignition switch, I've seen this before when I pressure washed my 04 RS, I had the same symptoms, after a few minutes the contacts dried out and it was fine. I lubricated the switch and have never had the problem since. It seems to be a moisture issue collecting at the bottom on the contacts. kubloom, try tightening your battery terminals, if they are even slightly loose, the speedo sensor looses its ground. I've seen this several times at the dealership I work at.

Cheers