Won't Start - Fuel Problem? 2002 VFR

Hi guys,

I know some smart dude on this forum has the answer to my problem, so here goes:

Winterized it, now I'm trying to put it back into service.
On the initial start, it caught for a second, then no luck. After too many re-attempts, the starter cranks it over fine but the engine won't catch.
I removed the front plugs and they're both sparking perfectly.
When turning the key to ON, the FI light comes on, then goes off, as per normal. I can hear the usual whine of the fuel pump or something, then it shuts off after a second, as per normal. Kill switch is not the issue and fuses are all good.

I put fuel stabilizer in the tank over the winter. I also have a Power Commander PCIII USB, so not sure if disconnecting the battery, then reconnecting it caused an issue with that? Just brainstorming...

I'd just hate to trailer it to the dealership only to find out I'm a buffoon and missed something obvious...

Any advice would be appreciated!

Mike

 

Make sure your battery has plenty of juice. Try opening up your throttle while you crank it over and see if it'll fire up. I've had the same problem before with a good battery. Seems to have something to do with not sending enough power to the injectors to open them((especially if it's been sitting for awhile).

 

Tried charging up the battery and cranking it with the throttle wide open - no luck...Any other suggestions?

 

Did you use a trickle charger or a car battery charger? Trickle charger is the only one good for a small battery like our bikes have. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make sure your battery posts and the both wires coming off your battery are really clean(I occasionally have to clean mine with steel wool). Outside of that I'm going to guess it's the battery. I've noticed that the vfr is really picky in the electrical area.

 

It could be electrical or it could be fuel related. To rule out the electrical side
you could squirt a little gas down into the air intake to test the system. If it tries to fire from those vapors then you know the ignition is working okay and you probably have a fuel issue such as fuel pump, clogged injectors or lines from stale fuel, etc. Anything that will burn in an aerosol can such as starting fluid might also be used for the firing test. We're just talking a small charge here just to get it to kick over, fire and run a few revs--don't over do it.

At least that might give you a path for where to start troubleshooting.

 

I'm an idiot.

Turns out when I put the battery back in I jammed the ground wire under the battery and didn't notice it (I think that's what it is anyway - connects to the neg terminal). Once I connected that lead, it fired right up! What a complete buffoon. Oh well, at least I got to know my bike a lot better with all the unnecessary troubleshooting I did

Thanks for the help anyway folks!

Mike