Anyone have any ideas?

About 9 months ago my bike died in traffic. I couldn't get it to restart. Seemed like it might be the fuel pump since I couldn't hear it. After pushing about 3 miles it fired up and ran fine for the next 8 months. Then about 1 month ago it wouldn't start at work. Trailered it home and it then started right up at home. Couple of days ago there was a repeat performance, but it fired up after sitting for a couple of hours.

Then today it did it again after work. It sat a couple of hours and then started right up. Had to stop at a coworker's house on the way home and I goofed and turned it off. Wouldn't start(couldn't hear fuel pump). I pushed it about a mile and tried again. Couldn't hear the fuel pump, but it started right up and ran fine. When I got it home I turned it off and it wouldn't restart. But I bet if I go try it now it will.

Both times when it wouldn't start after work it would sputter a bit and then eventually stop firing altogether.

It's been erratic enough that I haven't been able to narrow down the problem. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for any ideas.

What year is the bike?

Have you checked your battery? Or replaced it? Is it original battery?

Some people have had problems with the kill switch wires in the hand controls.
Some have had issues with kick stand wires shorting somewhere if they've bypassed the safety switch.

Just reflecting on some of the problems others have had.

Not hearing the fuel pump when you turn on the key would lead me to believe the fuel pump, especially if it runs sometimes, and then quits others. Once it cools down it fires back up until it heats up again, then quits. It sounds like your fuel pump is weak, which has been a problem with the early model 08's. Not all of them have had it, but there have been a fair number of ppl who have reported exactly the thing you describe and the culprit was the fuel pump.

SheWolf wrote:

Not hearing the fuel pump when you turn on the key would lead me to believe the fuel pump, especially if it runs sometimes, and then quits others. Once it cools down it fires back up until it heats up again, then quits. It sounds like your fuel pump is weak, which has been a problem with the early model 08's. Not all of them have had it, but there have been a fair number of ppl who have reported exactly the thing you describe and the culprit was the fuel pump.

+1. That would be my guess as well!

trav72 wrote:

SheWolf wrote:

Not hearing the fuel pump when you turn on the key would lead me to believe the fuel pump, especially if it runs sometimes, and then quits others. Once it cools down it fires back up until it heats up again, then quits. It sounds like your fuel pump is weak, which has been a problem with the early model 08's. Not all of them have had it, but there have been a fair number of ppl who have reported exactly the thing you describe and the culprit was the fuel pump.

+1. That would be my guess as well!

The fuel pump was my first guess also. But it seemed strange that the bike ran fine until shut off and then wouldn't restart. However, it is an '08 model, so I guess I'd better look at the fuel pump

If it's weak at all, it won't pressurize when it's hot it seems. When it's cooled off it kicks in but then once it warms up it craps out again.

I replaced the pump and all seems well now.

Thanks

lotsofwheels wrote:

I replaced the pump and all seems well now.

Thanks

Thanks for the update. Where did you get the new pump from?

Do you mind if I ask how much it cost?

First of all lotsofwheels,,I think it's awesome that you are riding a dirt bike at 63..I'm 40 and sometimes I feel too old to be riding offroad........I'm glad to hear that you got the fuel pump fixed.I just ordered a new pump yesterday from ONLINE CYCLE PARTS.COM for $220 with free shipping..My bike only acted up once last augest but I was 150 miles from where I was staying and I was shitting my pants thinking how the hell am going to get home,,,,I was north of Lincoln Maine and it felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.....after going back and forth about if I should replace it,I finally decided it was worth it. I justified it by not buying the rear rack and tail bag I was going to buy and instead spent the $ on a new pump..........could you tell us the build date and last 4 #s of your vin? I'm just wondering if it's close to mine,,,mine is 5/08 for the build date and the last 4 of my vin is 2419...................Jason