[Omar Man]

Hi all,

Just recently bought my zx10r from an auction that it seems has been sitting at the tow yard since Sept 2016( from towing invoice), and just got a new key for it. Put the key in, and it starts cranking fast but does not crank over. Checked gas tank - can see gas moving around freely so ruled out gas problem. Took battery out, connected booster cables to positive and negative battery lines, still same problem ( was suspecting maybe faulty battery, but with this test I dont think so?).

Was wondering what to check next that could cause my bike not to fully start...maybe starter motor, alternator, spark plugs? Wanted to know what you guys would try next.

Thanks in advance for your kind help and let me know if you need any further details.

 

[Twist-IT]

FI light on?


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[zx racer]

When you turn the bike on do you hear the fuel pump prime?

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[Omar Man]

FI light on?


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Hi Twist-IT and thanks for you're reply. The F1 light is not on - only the green neutral and red engine oil light are on. The bike has 37k btw

 

[SkyDork]

Um, it cranks fast but doesn't crank? That makes no sense. If it's "cranking" that means the motor is turning over. If the starter I'd just spinning fast, then It's not cranking. That would indicate a starter clutch issue since the engine isn't rising to start.

So have you checked to be sure that the crankshaft is actually turning when hitting the starter?

 

[Omar Man]

Um, it cranks fast but doesn't crank? That makes no sense. If it's "cranking" that means the motor is turning over. If the starter I'd just spinning fast, then It's not cranking. That would indicate a starter clutch issue since the engine isn't rising to start.

So have you checked to be sure that the crankshaft is actually turning when hitting the starter?

Sorry for confusion and thanks for you're reply SkyDork. What I meant to say is that it starts cranking, then when I pull down on the throttle it cranks even faster like it is about to turn over.

Also, is the crankshaft that weird gear like thing that is in the rear seat? It starts winding a little before I even try to hit the starter so I guess it is working? Sorry - I am new to troubleshooting.

 

[Omar Man]

When you turn the bike on do you hear the fuel pump prime?

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Actually I don't think I heard or it was paying attention to it - but that is a good to thing look at. Although It would be strange for fuel pump to go bad this early - bike only has 37k on it?

 

[SkyDork]

Sorry for confusion and thanks for you're reply SkyDork. What I meant to say is that it starts cranking, then when I pull down on the throttle it cranks even faster like it is about to turn over.



Also, is the crankshaft that weird gear like thing that is in the rear seat? It starts winding a little before I even try to hit the starter so I guess it is working? Sorry - I am new to troubleshooting.

Several things happen when you turn the ignition key on. The fuel pump with run for 4 seconds to prime the fuel rail, the exhaust servo in the tail section will run through a cycle, the instrument cluster will cycle the lights and indicators, and the secondary butterfly valves in the throttlebodies will cycle (on later models). Until everything stops moving/cycling, you shouldn't hit the starter button.

And since it's fuel injected, the primary butterfly valves will be closed normally when starting. If you open the throttle, that opens the valves and keys more air into the motor. That is easier for the starter motor to turn the engine over and it will speed up slightly. And is completely unnecessary with fuel injection. You shouldn't open the throttle while starting it because that will lean it out and it should be rich for starting.

So I'd be checking fuel pressure out of the fuel pump at this point to be sure it's getting the proper amount of fuel. Sounds like that may be the issue based on the rest of the description.

 

[Omar Man]

Several things happen when you turn the ignition key on. The fuel pump with run for 4 seconds to prime the fuel rail, the exhaust servo in the tail section will run through a cycle, the instrument cluster will cycle the lights and indicators, and the secondary butterfly valves in the throttlebodies will cycle (on later models). Until everything stops moving/cycling, you shouldn't hit the starter button.

And since it's fuel injected, the primary butterfly valves will be closed normally when starting. If you open the throttle, that opens the valves and keys more air into the motor. That is easier for the starter motor to turn the engine over and it will speed up slightly. And is completely unnecessary with fuel injection. You shouldn't open the throttle while starting it because that will lean it out and it should be rich for starting.

So I'd be checking fuel pressure out of the fuel pump at this point to be sure it's getting the proper amount of fuel. Sounds like that may be the issue based on the rest of the description.

Is there a walkthrough guide/video on how to do this?

 

[SkyDork]

Is there a walkthrough guide/video on how to do this?

"How To" Test Your Fuel Pump - Kawasaki ZX-10R.net

 

[Omar Man]

Is there a walkthrough guide/video on how to do this?

"How To" Test Your Fuel Pump - Kawasaki ZX-10R.net

Thanks for you're help skydork!!

So I hooked up the battery after I charged it for a while, then after plugging everything in and tried to crank I see the FI light come now but hear a grinding clicking noise on the right side just below the tank.

I did it about 2-3 more times to really see where it was coming from and it seems like it was coming from the fuel pump relay fuse I think?

Anyways I opened it up and its corroded as all hell - see pictures below.


Should I just clean this up, or shouldn't I replace the whole thing? Fuse and reciever?

 

[tasos]

:welcome:

Clean all rust off with some electrical cleaning spray. You should find more...

If your FI light stays on, then read on how to read the code, this will help you determine the issue.

http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f28/all-gens-so-your-fi-light-218666.html

 

[Omar Man]

Clean all rust off with some electrical cleaning spray. You should find more...

If your FI light stays on, then read on how to read the code, this will help you determine the issue.

http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/f28/all-gens-so-your-fi-light-218666.html

What do you mean by "I should find more"?


FI light does not stay on, only when I start trying to crank it then goes out after.

 

[tasos]

If the bike was sitting so long maybe other connections are corroded, good to check.

If you don't have an FI light, you must check fuel (fuel pump/bad fuel), spark (spark plugs) and tip over sensor (on the hook where the tank bolts to the subframe).
Battery must be good, check all fuses under the seat.
No need to open the throttle while starting the bike.

Another possibility: You said you ordered a new key, does your bike have an immobilizer (do you see a red circle in your key lock)?
Where are you located?

 

[Omar Man]

If the bike was sitting so long maybe other connections are corroded, good to check.

If you don't have an FI light, you must check fuel (fuel pump/bad fuel), spark (spark plugs) and tip over sensor (on the hook where the tank bolts to the subframe).
Battery must be good, check all fuses under the seat.
No need to open the throttle while starting the bike.

Another possibility: You said you ordered a new key, does your bike have an immobilizer (do you see a red circle in your key lock)?
Where are you located?

I appreciate you're quick help Tasos.

My battery is bad so I just recently put in an order for a new one.No - I don't have an immobilizer. I am located in NJ.

As mentioned before - when i tried to crank before that relay switch( not sure if its fuel pump relay) started making this clicking and grinding noise together and that's when I opened it and saw corrision on the fuse and the connector in the pictures. I bought electrical cleaner and cleaned it out. Waiting now on new battery to test.

Although - I did notice the fuel pump had some shady tape on it so that could also be a problem - but like I said will give an update when battery comes in and start troubleshooting again.

Once again, I very much appreciate the family feel of this extremely helpful forum and will give back whenever I can!

 

[Omar Man]

Just installed new battery and now it won't crank over at all. The FI light keeps blinking when I hold down on the ignition start button.

It was cranking last time before I cleaned that fuse - could that be possible culprit? I cleaned it with contact cleaner and battery cleaner so I don't think I damaged it.

Checked my fuel pump and it does prime.

Anyone have suggestions on what to do next?

 

[tasos]

Can you post a video when trying to start it out?

Does your FI go on before you crank?

 

[Capncalyx]

Dude. Please tell me that after buying a bike that sat that long you
1. Got all the old fuel out and put some fresh in, maybe even with a little Seafoam.
2. At least checked the spark plug condition (id have changed em)
3. Clean the fuel injectors
4. Did i mention fresh new fuel? :heyyou:

Check you fuse again just in case you might have not got it in right or something and check that its still a viable fuse. But yea it sounds like the issue would be within the fuel pump or the starter/starter relay perhaps? Clogged injectors? Maybe run a check on your coils but i dont think its in those or the sparks.

 

[Adrenalin-xboxone]

Just to add my two cents. Aren't all these bikes sold with 3 keys that are programmed to the ecu. Hence every bike has a built in immobilizer..
Its just a guess, but you might have to get your ecu flashed.. Not having any experience with this myself. I have read about it the Manuel recently.
Good luck man.. Hope get it together quickly while the weather is ..

 

[Omar Man]

To continue this year old post, still don’t have luck starting it after letting it sit for a while. I’m assuming battery needs to be changed, but I hooked up the battery connectors to a running car and I get this weird clicking noise from the rear of the set when trying to start the bike - not sure what this part is called but do I need to replace the whole thing or do I need to do soemrthing else for it? I’ve attached picture of where the click noise is coming from