Help,Trouble starting

[phireman187]

Ok guys, I have a 2004 ridgeback having trouble starting. I had the battery tested and recharged. It started up and ran fine around the block but noticed two of my lights out. i go to start in the morning and nothing. i thought this could be my EHC but after i was able to get it started figured it wasnt. I went and bought a new battery and put it on the tender overnite. This morning, I get all lights and power on but when go to start it, it just wont start. The starter is turning over fine and sound like it has enough power but no fire. I checked the fuel and added some to make sure. I checked all connection and all seem fine. It sounds like I'm not getting fuel but dont understand why that would be. I did nothing different but changed the battery. Thanks

 

[lee]

easiest things to check first are spark and fuel. Do you know how to do this? Check these things and then report back. Could simply be the cold weather (is it cold where you are?) and you might need the enrichener (if so turn it off as soon as its started and use the throttle to hold the rpms somewhere between 1000 and 1500 until its warmed up).

 

[phireman187]

Not sure how to check the spark or fuel. What would be the easiest one to start with? It' not to cold here in dallas. Thanks

 

[BadBrad]

Pull one of the plugs and then put it back into the plug wire so it will get fire. Hold the plug next to a ground and turn the motor over. It should spark if you're getting fire.

For the fuel, pull the filter cover and filter off and turn the throttle while looking inside the carb. You should see fuel squirt. If not, take off the fuel line to the carb. Gas should flow out. If not, take out the petcock and check the filter to make sure it's not clogged.

 

[mobsta]

sounds more like you missed a wire or knocked one off if all you did is change battery.which lights were out before you changed the battery?could still be an ehc issue.just sayn,my 04 had headlight out before no start then the ehc went south.make sure you got all the wires back on the battery.good luck.keep us updated

 

[phireman187]

I pulled the fuel line off the carb and i'm getting fuel from the tank to the carb. I pulled the spark plug and no spark. not sure why this could be if the bike started the other day with the old battery. I took the battery out and placed it back making sure all wire where connected.

 

[phireman187]

Could the battery be bad? Its new and it sounds strong just no fire.

 

[MARV]

if its turning the starter then the battery is fine.

sounds like an ignition problem

04 a crank or a cam sensor?

for the 05 and up the red led on the ignition module under the seat should flash when cranking.

 

[mobsta]

04 i believe is has a cam sensor.again i believe cam sensor,i dont want someone rolling there eyes if im wrong:lol:

 

[phireman187]

Not sure either (Cam or Crank). I was looking near my battery and noticed that a red light that is usually on, was not. No sure what it is but its a small silver box mounted near the battery with a wire coming out of it connected to another. looks like it has a picture of a sword on it. Any ideas?

 

[mobsta]

thunder heart ignition module,lights up when you hit the run button.

 

[Raywood]

If it's turning over then I would ask how are you starting it?

Are you using the "enrichener"? Is so how much? When you pulled your plugs were they fouled? Did you check to see if they were getting spark?

You may have just flooded/fouled it trying to start it with the enrichener. Common problem using it. Replace the plugs and try again keeping the trottle closed while turning it over. You may or may not need to use the enrichener after you give it a couple quick twists of the throttle.
If it starts then turn off the enrichener if you had to use it and use the throttle to keep the rpm up while it warms.

 

[phireman187]

The ignition module lights does not come on at all. the ehc red light comes on when i hit the run button. I pulled the plugs and did not get a spark. i usually dont have to use the enrichener but i've tried this time because it wasnt starting. I've let it sit and tried it again, no go. Im sure its something simple that i'm just missing.

 

[MARV]

thunder heart ignition module,lights up when you hit the run button.

yea what Mobsta says. should be a red led when switched on and a blue and yellow that flash when cranking. not sure if your 04 has led's on the ignition module.

 

[MARV]

The ignition module lights does not come on at all. the ehc red light comes on when i hit the run button. I pulled the plugs and did not get a spark. i usually dont have to use the enrichener but i've tried this time because it wasnt starting. I've let it sit and tried it again, no go. Im sure its something simple that i'm just missing.

well then your getting power to the ehc but no power to the ignition.

trace the wires from the ign to the ehc and look for damage and check connections

 

[mobsta]

you stated in your first post that you had some lights out.which lights were out,headlight,tail lights,running lights?

 

[mobsta]

oh one more thing,which ehc do you have?the black one or the updated?mine was updated awhile back,it is yellow color not sre if they changed it again or not,just wondering

 

[2004BC]

I had the same thing happen on my 04 Ridgeback. No spark. It was the cam sensor which is located under the small cover on the engine next to your right foot. Take the cover off and just look to see if you see any burn marks or cracks indicating a bad sensor. Also, as you crank your starter over the led is supposed to flash on and off if your sensor is working. Mine didn't and it looked like this when I took the cover off.

 

[Five Five]

Have you checked your ignition module....are the connections good and is it lighting up when you crank it....

 

[phireman187]

I didn't have any lights that worked at first, they would flash on just as I turned the ignition but stay off. That's when I took the battery to get test and charged. Came back and the bike started but bettery seemed weak, back right light was out and front rt light flickered. Bought a new battery and all lights on and sounds strong but no start. I will check out the cam sensor in the next day or two, I have to go to work. At first I was thinking ehc because of the lights and no power, but think it was the bad battery. Thanks for all the input you guys have been great!