Wet problem

[Venturous Randy]

Over the years, I have had to some degree a problem with my bike when it gets wet. It does not like to go in the rain and will miss and backfire after I have washed it.

Several years ago I moved the TCI to the wall under the left side near the radio and finally this last year I moved it to the top of the air box. That did not help. Another thing I did was to clean and seal the wire connection up near the seat from the igniter's.

This last weekend, after riding Saturday on some damp roads, I decided to stop by the car wash and rinse it off. I was very careful that I only rinsed the bottom part of the bike off and did not even get close to the spark plugs. Since I have the bikini side panels, everything is open and it is easy to tell what got wet. I had a hard time getting the bike to start and had to run miles down the highway before it finally cleared up.

The only thing I can figure is if I get any moisture around the bottom of the engine and maybe where the igniter wires come out of the side cover, it is causing an electrical breakdown. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

RandyA

[djh3]

We ran across something simular on a Dodge race car I had with electronic ignition. First I changed the plug wires, because in past experiences they had been culprets. It helped some. It ended up being in the pickup wheel and wiring. Just some experience I had and maybe someplace to look. It wouldnt take alot of moisture either after I changed the wires. So I guess they were bad enough.

[CaptainJoe]

Might want to try a steamer to try and locate the area were things are going south. just do small areas at a time.

 

You know the small hand held kind you use on drapes.

 

maybe something as simple as a worn wire making contact when moisture is applied...or a cracked spark plug insulator...

 

 

after you wash your bike with that much water the steam could be rising and getting in anywhere

Edited January 19, 2013 by CaptainJoe

[Flyinfool]

Have you ever opened up your TCI to replace the diodes and seal it up?

there are holes in the TCI that will let water in, a number of people have found liquid water in the TCI when they opened it to do the diodes.

I have my TCI mounted inside of the left faring, the dust and dirt in there indicate that it never gets wet.

 

The other solution is to stop washing it and if you get caught in the rain, don't stop or slow down till its dry. Works for me.......

[Eck]

(Quote)

Over the years, I have had to some degree a problem with my bike when it gets wet

You could try some "PULLUPS" my friend...

[mraf]

I would investigate your coils. Had my nephews dodge pickup not start if it even was a damp day out. Heat up the coil with a hair dryer and it would run no problem. With four coils on the Venture a miss from one or more could happen also. When you do get it started try using a laser temp gun to find which cylinders are running properly. If not carry a extra plug and pull the plug wire , plug your extra plug into the cap and see if you have spark to that cyl.

[dingy]

Take a look at the plug that connects the pickup coils to the main harness. 6 pin plug, 2x3 layout. 5 wires in plug, one empty slot.

 

I have found this plug can be cause of bike not starting & or poor running.

 

It is on left side near shock damper.

 

I have a new spare connector set for this one & terminals if you need one.

 

I sent this connector out with the last round of TCI's I sold, since I thought it was a problem area.

 

Also still have new TCI's left if you want one.

 

Gary

[Kirby]

Check your coils, one or more may have a cracked housing. I had the same problem with a 99 Max. Replaced 2 cracked coils, problem solved.