Triumphrat

PtboSprintSt · 07-30-2007, 12:53 AM

Hi,
I was slowing down, in first, to tur left into a gas station when my engine died. It started again. I thought because I was on uphill slope that I migh thave just stalled. Then later, on straight stretch of rode I suddenly felt the bike de-accelarate. I looked down and saw my engine light and low gas light on, then in a blink they turned off and the engine revved up again. I drove for next few hundred KM's to home without trouble.

Does this sound like an intermittent electrical problem? I've read on threads how such things can be buggers to troubleshoot? My manual says shouldn't drive long with engine light on. My light was only on for few seconds when engine dropped power, then turned off again. Am I likely okay to keep driving and see if it happens again?

steventhechef · 07-30-2007, 01:19 AM

Check the side stand switch first if you feel it is electrical then I'd be looking at the kill switch for a shorting earth. Normally if it is the battery it is not intermittent

It could still be a fuelling issue though..

Which model do you have?

Good luck

PtboSprintSt · 07-30-2007, 01:34 AM

Hi,
I've got an '02 with 23 000 km on it. I haven't used the kill switch all year since I'd have tendency to leave light on so use key to turn off bike. I tried the kill switch tonight when I got home to make sure it was working.

I put fuel stabilizer in ever fall when I store the bike. I was wondering since the fuel light came on with the engine light for those few seconds if it might be a fuel issue. Does anyone suggest using injector cleaner additive once in while?

Think I'll have to keep driving an see if the problem happens again since there is no local Triumph dealer.

CMB · 07-30-2007, 01:50 AM

My 04 ST suddenly died during a ride with no warning. I wasn't able to get it restarted and ended up taking it straight to the shop. Turns out it was a loose and dirty crankshaft position sensor. It's on the left hand side of the bike, just inside the fairing near the shift linkage. You should be able to feel if it's loose. There is no adjustment to it, it's held in place with a small bracket. It may not be your problem but who knows, might get lucky.

geoffrey · 07-30-2007, 03:17 AM

G'day guys,
re. the Sprint suddenly stopping, my 02 model has done the same thing on 2 occasions. First time a couple of months ago, it went on strike whilst I was doing a left hand turn. Thought at the time that it may have been me accidently hitting the KILL switch. Well........last week the same event occurred while I was doing a tight U turn after just refuelling. Yes, your right, bike and I slowly fell earthwards amongst the traffic. Not sure if I was more embarrassed or angry. Anyway I can't find the fault so have decided it is a quirk of the bike.

On another note, anybody out there in Sprint land using either a Throttlemeister or a Breakaway cruise control on your machines? I am looking into purchasing either one or the other but cannot make up my mind which is the more friendly to use.

PaloAlto · 07-30-2007, 11:40 AM

Geoffrey,

Sorry about your get-off. A similar thing happened to me Saturday (but without a get-off). While on the freeway, the engine completely died, with no warning or sputtering. I pulled off and put the kickstand down to think about what to do. I decided to try restarting, put the kickstand back up, hit the starter and it worked.

Once before when this happened, I found the kickstand was not all the way up. Don't know if this was the case this time or something else.

Obviously, you need to find the cause. I'd check the crank position sensor CMB mentioned as well as the kickstand and clutch switches.

Let us know what you find.

Bern

MVP44 · 07-30-2007, 12:46 PM

There was a similar thread many moons ago that pinpointed the culprit as being what Steven suggested in the side stand connection.

Green01SprintST · 07-30-2007, 02:02 PM

+1 on the sidestand safety switch, #1 culprit for sudden, intermittent and unexplainable engine stoppage.

PtboSprintSt · 07-30-2007, 02:31 PM

Hi,
Anyway I can do an easy check to see if it is the switch? I looked at it yesterday and visually nothing appears wrong on the outside. The plunger mechanism goes in and out no problem. If the switch is starting to have problems internally would a trip to the dealer be the only way to find out? Should a local non-Triumph dealer be able to diagnose such a thing?

PtboSprintSt · 07-30-2007, 03:33 PM

I just spoke to the dealer and described my situation of driving down the highway, de-accelerating suddenly, seeing check engine and low fuel lights coming on for few seconds, and then everything fine. Their technician said he was pretty sure it was NOT the side stand switch, but instead the fuel pump and recommended I get it in ASAP to get checked.

Does this sound reasonable? Bike only has 23 000 km on it? Has anyone else had to replace their fuel pump this early?