Triumphrat

actionjackson · 05-12-2008

Ok I'm trying not to repost any problems, but I'm finding it hard to get info on what may be wrong with my speed four! While stopped at a stop light on my s4 my bike just died and would not start. I am fairly certain that it isn't getting any fuel, although that doesn't say much for what might be wrong. So I have tinkered with just about everything without getting the bike to start and I am confident that it is not a fuse or a relay, but am leaning more toward the ECU dropping the map (i am a new triumph rider so if thats not possible please just tell me I'm an idiot!) the fuel pump primes for a few second so I think its getting fuel pressure which is why I'm leaning toward the ECU. If anyone has had something like this happen to they're s4 I would sincerely appreciate help.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Will · 05-12-2008

I haven't heard of the ECU dumping the map, but I suppose it could happen. I would look for a bad connector somewhere first.

briwedd · 05-12-2008

i had a similar problem no dealers could help i changed back to the stock exhaust and changed the plugs now averything is running good

dynagroove · 05-12-2008

this may be way off base, but i've had it happen to me on my first Triumph - a Daytona T595... it is possible that one of the lengths of hose coming off your fuel pump (internal to the tank) has either come loose or is damaged. that would explain your running fine one minute and not the next behavior. only two ways i know of to check and that is either connect a fuel gauge to the output of your pump, or remove the pump from the tank and look. if you can hear the pump whirring and you are certain that you have spark, i would look there. hth

jeff h

actionjackson · 05-12-2008

I need to check the actual pressure from the pump with a gauge.. I'm trying to avoid having to go to the dealer, but I'm afraid I'm going to take it and have them run diagnostics on it. I guess it is a bit presumptuous of me to say just because the pump primes itself that fuel pressure is good! if anybody has some easy trick to see if the pump is putting out I would appreciate it. Also does anybody know where to find an actual schematic for the speed four? not those little part breakdowns. After removing my fuel tank I found a connector that wasn't connected to anything, but I doubt it just came off while I was sitting at a light, plus there isn't anywhere for it to go (at least from what I can see)...
I'm still scratching my head at this one so any further assistance would be nice.
It will probably end up being something stupid... thanks guys

dynagroove · 05-12-2008

yes, there are extra connectors laying around

. i forget exactly what the one is for, but it's either a diagnostic connector or having something to do with 50 state bikes emissions. i'm thinking that the shop may have a fuel rig to test pressure, but they may do it the old fashioned way and just open the tank up and look at the pump. if you've got a garage and a burning desire to DIY you may want to give it a try. not a bad time to upgrade the plastic fuel connectors as well. i thought Triumph had a recall on these a while back, so yours may already be fixed. after you've narrowed down that - yes you do have spark, and you do want to check your fuel pump all you need to do is: unbolt the tank which i suspect you've done before, undo the electrical connection, get towels and a tub ready, then carefully remove the fuel connectors and wipe up spilled fuel. move the tank to the tub and drain. hopefully your tank is not that full. i have the newer setup with one line, so mine just drains out, but IIRC, on the 2 line you would crack the bolts holding the pump on and let everything drain into the tub. then open her up and carefully remove the pump. if something is wrong, it should be obvious like a line fully off, or burst. hth

jeff h

Will · 05-12-2008

The diagnostic connector looks like it is plugged in if it is stored right. It is about 2-1/2 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide, on the right side of the battery, under the seat. It has a black cover on its backside, and that's what you see if it is stored on the fin for it molded into the undertray. There is another connector, a gray one, under the fuel tank below the fuel injectors. That's the one to ignore, since it is there only for California emissions equipment. Unless you have California emissions equipment, it has nothing to plug into.

I hope this helps a bit. Otherwise I am baffled by the problem.

waxyourboard · 05-14-2008

another way to check to see if you have fuel pressure... a pretty easy way... (not the safest, but I found out about this when I was connecting my fuel tank) Plug up the tank to the fuel like, prime the fuel pump (turn on the key and ign, but don't start it) and try to move the fuel hose around (try not to disconnect it!)

I forgot to put the hose clamp on mine, I noticed it was halfway off and as soon as I tried to slide the hose more onto the metal connector, fuel came spraying out on all sides. Turns out, it's pretty easy to find out if you have fuel pressure. Mind you, I just started my bike with 6 month old fuel and no radiator or coolant in it while it was throwing three codes.

I have a couple extra connectors, can't figure out what they go to yet, but I'm sure they'll surface soon. Does the bike crank? I've discovered that there's no codes that will cause your bike not to crank.

If you can pull codes, a couple free triumph manuals are here http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp which may help you, they're a little older and a different model, but the fuel injection systems are the same. I'd pull the plugs and give them a read.

Note: A buddy of mine's jetski wouldn't start, I looked at the plugs and they looked fine. Cranked and cranked and cranked, tried starting fluid. Nothing at all. Replaced the plugs, fired right up and ran 60mph no problem. Sometimes it's just real simple.

Oh, PS. Another way to find out if she's getting fuel (figured this one out on the Jetski too.) Pull the plugs, crank her over with the plugs out. If you get fuel mist out of all the cylinders, you're getting fuel. (mind you, with his jetski, it almost blinded me from three feet away - yamaha something or other. but with my honda f12x, barely any mist came out, but still enough that I knew the injectors were firing.