Triumphrat

Skullza · 04-29-2007

This problem is very frustrating. Started in the fall. Cold, my '96 Sprint fires right up. Runs fine for about 5 minutes - not hot, just warm, then dies like I shut off the ignition. Let her sit for 30 seconds, she'll fire up, run for a few seconds and then shut right down. Let her sit 60 seconds, she'll run a little longer, then shut down - no sputter, just dead. It's not a coil as she doesn't misfire and run on 2 cyl. - just dies. Switched ignition pickup, no diff. Same thing in all fuel tap positions. I wonder if it's some sort of a fuel problem - getting fuel too slowly? Uses up what's in the bowls and then takes a while to refill? I replaced the fuel lines, which seemed kinked - no diff. Not a sidestand switch - this happens when she's up on the center stand and not moving. I'm going to try it with an aux. tank off the bike, but I would appreciate other thoughts. Any possibility it's an igniter issue? It's the only original part of the ignition system.
Skullza

zippythehog · 04-30-2007

It sounds like the ignition pick-up under the crankshaft end cover on the right side of the engine. Did you check the continuity of the wiring from the pick-up?

If it were a fuel delivery problem, it would sputter. I had a similiar occurance but mine would slowly idle down and die. It turned out to be the Mikuni-Vacuum-Fuel-Selector. I replaced mine and it fixed the problem.

Godspeed,
Zip

Skullza · 04-30-2007

Yes, it does sound like pickup, but 1) I replaced it and same thing and 2) the motor isn't getting hot - just warm - and 30 seconds off shouldn't cool it enough to make it run again with 5 seconds of operation heating it to failure point. I'm not sure what the Mikuni-Vacuum-fuel-selector is. Are you referring to the vacuum circuit to the fuel tap? In which case, I doubt that is it as it does the same thing in the prime position.

If testing with external fuel supply doesn't turn up anything, I'll fuss with the pickup some more. Does anyone know what the symptoms are of a bad ignitor? Just it just fail to fire or could that somehow be the issue?

Skullza

Droz · 04-30-2007

I'm fighting a similar (more intermittant) problem with my 1996 Sprint.

To check fuel supply my idea was to run it with the selector on "run" and wait for it to die. Then quickly remove one of the fuel bowl drain screws and see how much gasoline runs out. Assuming the petcock is holding, you should get a good idea of whether or not you have a fuel supply problem.

Full bowl worth of gas pours out...no fuel supply problem.
1/2 a fuel bowl pours out...you've got a problem.

The ugly part is that these carbs don't have drain tubes, so it might be a real challenge to drain it away safely, and not just let it pour on the pipes (a bad idea).

Still working that part out....

Droz

Skullza · 04-30-2007

Droz: I was thinking of doing exactly the same thing. I'm also hooking up an aux. fuel supply. The gas tank from my snowblower is perfect for this - two bolts and it's off and ready to use. However, as I'm on away on vacation this coming weekend and then on business travel the next, it will be a few weeks 'til I get back to this. Sigh.

Skullza

menelfloss · 04-30-2007

Huh, My 96 Sprint is doing the same thing! I really don't think it is a fuel problem because there is no sputter, it just goes dead, like it is unplugged. I have mine in the shop and is being looked at tomorrow. I will update my post "just went dead -unplugged" and will update here as well as to what they found out.
The consensus on my post was the ignition pick up coil.
Mike

pendraig · 05-01-2007

Did you try idling with the gas lid popped open? I wouldn't advise RIDING IT that way. (Although, with my lack of common sense, I might well do it myself.) That would take the possibility of a clogged vent out of the equation.

menelfloss · 05-01-2007

The diagnosis on my bike is the "ignition sensor". Unfortunately my Triumph dealer here in Minneapolis does not stock them, so I have to wait an unspecified amount of time for it to be shipped from Triumph US.
Guesstimate is about a week.
Mike

seumas · 05-01-2007

I sure hope they're quicker than my dealer was with the carburetor parts--7 weeks for gaskets and O-rings.

zippythehog · 05-02-2007

Pendraig's idea to check the tank vent has Merritt.

The other thing to check is what no one wants to say or hear: check the wiring harness. I would speculate that there may be an open or a short to ground somewhere after the key ignition.

Godspeed,
Zip