K11 Owners Group

Che sera sera · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:52 am Post subject: Intermittent total power loss

Had my rs for about 4 weeks - 1000 miles now, and just had my first glitch. Steady 65mph straight open road, dry and warm. Oil, fuel and coolant all within parameters. Sudden total loss of engine drive lasting about 5 seconds, then immediate restoration to normal. Happened again 3 further times in next 10 miles, but only for 1-2 seconds each), at which point I was at work. Not "mechanical" - i.e. not jumping out of gear, no odd noises, no smoke, no warning lights, just no go.

I know the list of potential causes could be as long as your arm, from blocked tank breather to broken wires, but can any hardened k11 owners shed any light on most probably causes? Intermittent faults - don't you just love 'em?
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'96 K1100rs
'93 r1100rs (probably on the way out)

Rafal · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:51 am Post subject:

Hello!

I don't want to be rude or replay Smile

, yet: try to replace fuel filter nad air filter.

Best regards
_________________
Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

Che sera sera · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:15 am Post subject:

Rafal · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:37 am Post subject:

The tank stays as it is. The tank cap hast to be removed (4 or 6 philips screws), then use long screwdriver to undone the screws on metal band on filter endings. Remove old (do not split fuel), inspect hoses, and put new. Do the metal bands, put back fuel cap. Run the engine with tank opened and see if connections on the filter are OK.

Best regards,
_________________
Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

Che sera sera · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:44 am Post subject:

Thanks for response. Sounds an easy enough job. On my last r twin bike the tank had to come off and the filter was accessed through a whole in the underside. Messy, smelly, fiddly and time consuming. Another benefit of K ownership!

Anyone any other ideas as to power loss?
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'96 K1100rs
'93 r1100rs (probably on the way out)

abreeze · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject:

i have a K bike in the shop now with the same problem, after diagnosing every little detail and not being able to repeat the problem, the Owner came to pick up the bike and the fuel pump died.

Theory: It could be a fuel pressure problem and a fuel pump that will iminently fail....

However, If the problem persists now with replacement pump, ill rule out the Fuel pump too....

Ernie-NH · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:29 am Post subject:

Good morning "sera"...

Check the "ground" at the back of the Motronic unit as well. You shold have a lead directly back to the battery negative ! Most likely "filter" however, follow Rafal's procedure if not a simple grounding problem.

Good luck......// Ernie-NH
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Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

tmarshall57 · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:53 am Post subject:

During the past couple of weeks I have noticed a similar problem on my bike. A sudden loss of power which lasts a few seconds and then back to 100% normal. This has happened at low and higher speeds and always on the straight.

I've had the bike just over 3 years, only use in dry weather during the summer, the bike is garaged, well maintained and only covers 2000 miles per year. The bike appears to have been treated similarly by previous owners. THe bike has just completed 40k miles.

I replaced the fuel filter around 18 months ago.

I have not replaced the spark plugs since I bought the bike in 2007 so that would be my next step.

I bought a new air filter when I bought the bike but the existing one was perfectly clean so I didn't bother replacing. I will check this however.

I suspect that the problem is so intermittent it will not be easy to track down.
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K1100RS Special Edition 1997
Arctic Silver/Black

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

Fuel level sender connector.
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94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
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Rafal · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject:

abreeze · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:22 pm Post subject:

Rafal · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:23 am Post subject:

Hello!

That little 4-ping plug has no picture or part no in catalogues known to me. As replacement part, I have used such connector:

I took some time and patience to do it, but now it is problem free.

Best regards,
_________________
Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

Che sera sera · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:17 am Post subject:

Thanks for the responses. Plenty to go at - mainly fuel related (I checked the motronic ground wire as it was the easiest to start with - all present and correct). Bought a new fuel filter on Saturday, but not fitted yet. Will try to do it tonight. Bike gave one minor hiccupthis morning but caried on fine. Will report back on progress as it may help others in a similar position.
_________________
'96 K1100rs
'93 r1100rs (probably on the way out)

tmarshall57 · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:13 am Post subject:

Why would a poor fuel sender unit connection influence power delivery. I am certainly not doubting that it does - just eager to understand why.

Presumably this connector is the one attached to the cable emerging from the bottom of the tank.
_________________
K1100RS Special Edition 1997
Arctic Silver/Black

robleyd · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:26 am Post subject:

I believe that connector may also serve the fuel pump.
_________________
David, owner of:
1996 K1100 LT

Rafal · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:43 am Post subject:

Hi!

"fuel sender unit connection" is not a good name. Beside fuel level readout that plug provides power to fuel pump - and that is the root of evil Twisted Evil

in that small piece of plastic.
_________________
Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:04 am Post subject:

Carl · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:14 pm Post subject: Total power loss

Had the same problem on my 93" K11 RS, in my case, it was the white part of the ignition switch on the bottom. Bike would instantly die, but would usually start up again, but the problem only gets worse. Start the bike and wiggle the wiring going to the bottom of the ignition switch to see if you can duplicate the problem. The part is easy enough to replace, it comes with the correct connector and is held in place on the ignition switch with a set screw.
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Carl

Stoked Steve · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject:

I had problems with the fuel pump dying and traced it to the fuel sender unit, but not in the connector plugs, it was in the connection in the white plastic connector that enters the bottom of the fuel tank. I had to replace the whole sender unit as this was a fixed unit. (used off Ebay $45)

Now she's running great, over 1,500 miles without a so much as a hiccup.

Use an ohm meter and see that all the wires are good coming in and going out, but if it's only intermittant, it can be deceiving as it will test good most of the time.
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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

malcolmt · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: Re: Total power loss