21 TROUBLESHOOTING

ENGINE DOES NOT START OR IS POOR PERFORMANCE AT HIGH

HARD TO START 21-1 SPEED 21-4
ENGINE LACKS POWER 21-2 POOR HANDLING 21-4
POOR PERFORMANCE AT LOW
AND IDLE SPEED 21-3

ENGINE DOES NOT START OR IS HARD TO START

Possible cause

1. Check for operation of the fuel pump Abnormal Faulty fuel pump (Section 5 )
I
Normal

I
2. Inspect the fuel flow Abnormal ______) Faulty pressure regulator (Section
I 5)
Normal

I
3. Inspect the fuel injector Abnormal _____) See section 5
I
Normal

I
4. Perform a spark test Weak or no spark + Faulty spark plug
I Fouled spark plug
Good spark Faulty ECM

1
Broken or shorted spark plug wire
Faulty ignition switch
Faulty ignition pulse generator
Faulty engine stop switch
Loose or disconnected ignition
system wires

5. Test cylinder compression Low compression ---+ Valve stuck open

I Worn cylinder and piston ring
Compression normal Damaged cylinder head gasket

1
Seized valve
Improper valve timing

6. Starting following normal procedure Engine starts but ---+ Improper starter valve operation
I
Engine does not start
stops Intake pipe leaking
Improper ignition timing (Faulty
I ignition coil or ignition pulse gen-

I
7

7. Remove and inspect spark plug Wet plug _____)

-
erator)
Fuel contaminated

Starter valve closed

Throttle valve open
Clogged air cleaner

21-1
TROUBLESHOOTING

ENGINE LACKS POWER

Possible cause

1. Raise wheel off the ground and spin by -Wheels d o not spin ___) Brake dragging
hand freely Worn or damaged wheel bearing
I
Wheel spins freely

i
2. Check tire pressure
I
Pressure normal
Pressure l o w ____)
- Faulty tire valve
Punctured tire

3.
i
Accelerate rapidly from l o w t o second -Engine speed does ---+ Clutch slipping
I not change accord- Worn clutch discs/plates
Warped clutch discs/plates
Engine speed reduced when clutch is
released
ingly when clutch is
released - Weak clutch spring

4.
!
Accelerate lightly Engine speed does -----+
Additive in engine oil

Air cleaner dirty

I

+
not increase Restricted fuel f l o w
Engine speed increase Clogged muffler
Pinched fuel tank breather

5. Check ignition timing Incorrect ______) Faulty ECM

I Faulty ignition pulse generator
Correct

6.
!
Test cylinder compression Incorrect ______) Valve stuck open
I Worn cylinder and piston rings
Normal Leaking head gasket

7.
t
Inspect fuel flow Abnormal *
Improper valve timing

Faulty pressure regulator (Section 5)

I
Normal

8.
i
Inspect the fuel injector Abnormal ______) See section 5
I
Normal

J
9. Remove spark plugs Fouled o r discolored ---+ Faulty spark plug

+
I
Not fouled or discolored

10. Check oil level and condition Incorrect ______) Oil level too high
I Oil level too low
Correct - Contaminated oil

I
11. Remove cylinder head cover and inspect ___ Valve train not lubri- ___) Clogged oil passage
lubrication cated properly Clogged oil control orifice
I
Valve train lubricated properly

21-2
 TROUBLESHOOTING

I Possible cause
t Overheating Coolant level low
12. Check for engine overheating
I Fan motor not working (faulty fan
Not overheating motor switch)
I
Thermostat stuck close
Excessive carbon build-up in com-
bustion chamber

I4
I

Use of poor quality fuel

-
Wrong type of fuel
Clutch slipping

13. Accelerate or run at high speed Engine knocks Worn piston and cylinder
Wrong type of fuel
Excessive carbon build-up in com-
Engine does not knock bustion chamber
Ignition timing to advanced (faulty
ECM)
Lean fuel mixture

POOR PERFORMANCE AT LOW AND IDLE SPEED

Possible cause

1. Check ignition timing Incorrect b Improper ignition timing

I
Correct

I
2. Check the starter valve synchronization Incorrect . See section 5
I
Correct

i
3. Inspect the fuel flow Abnormal e -Faulty pressure regulator (Section 5)
l
I
Normal

4
4. Inspect the fuel injector Abnormal + * See section 5
I
Normal

1
1
5. Check for leaks in the intake pipe Leaking e -Loose insulator clamp
I Damaged insulator
Not leak

1
1
6. Perform spark test Weak or intermittent Faulty spark plug

I spark Faulty carbon or wet fouled spark

Plug

1
Good spark
Faulty ECM
Faulty ignition coil
Broken or shorted spark plug wire
Faulty engine stop switch
Faulty ignition pulse generator
Faulty ignition switch
Loose or disconnected ignition sys-
tem wires

21-3
TROUBLESHOOTING

POOR PERFORMANCE AT HIGH SPEED

Possible cause

1, Check ignition timing Incorrect Faulty ECM

I
Correct

2. Inspect the fuel flow Abnormal _______) Faulty pressure regulator (Section 5)
I
Normal

J
3. Inspect the fuel injector Abnormal - See section 5
I
Normal

J
4. Check valve timing
II
Correct
Incorrect - Camshaft not installed properly

i
5. Check valve spring Weak w Faulty valve spring
I
Not weak

POOR HANDLING
Possible cause

1. If steering is heavy w Steering stem adjusting nut too tight

Damaged steering head bearings

2. If either wheel is wobbling - Excessive wheel bearing play

Bent rim
Improper installed wheel hub
Swingarm pivot bearing excessively
worn
Bent frame

3 . If the motorcycle pulled t o one side E Faulty shock absorber

Front and rear wheel not aligned
Bent fork
Bent swingarm
- Bent axle

21-4