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New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:07 am
by Rich Smith
Hi. My name is Rich Smith

I live near Stow on the Wold with a 2012 Electra EFI. Its one that Watsonian had turned into a 'Trials' model...and has been completely trouble free until now. I bought it 18 months ago with 35 miles on the clock. It had been carefully stored for the previous five years.
My apologies if this subject has been raised before but I am in need of advice.
Over the last few weeks it had got increasingly unwilling to start on the button and then failed to respond to kicking.
A new relay (the one near the postive terminal, under the saddle) got the pump making the right noises as I turned the ignition on. Replaced the pump too as this was a bit clonky and indifferent, even when directly wired. Having stuck it back together, its still not starting. Pulled the fuel pipe off the plastic spout on the underside of the pump assembly, turned the key, pressed the button-no fuel! Have checked as many connections and plugs as I can find. Whipped off side stand cut out switch and thumbed the plunger, this got a bit of a crackle from the relays in that silver pod thing on nearside.
I therefore ask if anyone out there has any sage advice. Hey ho...!
Thank you in advance.
Rich.

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:43 pm
by Rushour
Does the fuel pump wind up - then stop when pressure is up when you switch on ?

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:06 am
by Andy C
"bit of a crackle from the relays" - sounds like an electrical fault to me, I would take a good look at all electrical connections.

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:37 am
by Boxerman
Crackling relays makes me think of electrical faults too, but I'll relate a problem that had me head scratching for months.
Mine is a 2009 Electra EFI. It would start fine, tickover OK and rev up in neutral OK ish, but on the road it would bog down, cut out and do all sorts of unpleasant things.
As a last desperate attempt at diagnosis, I checked the fuel pressure and found it to be 18psi and not the 40+ psi it should be.
On stripping down the pump [again] I found that the spring in the pressure regulator had apparently rusted through and broken.
I've modified the regulator with a small setscrew, nut and spring so it now gives 40psi and [fingers crossed] the bike is running fine.

Frank

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:45 am
by Boxerman
Check the 3 fuse holders too, mine had become slack on the fuses and giving intermittent connection. [Thought I'd found the issue there, but it wasn't the main one]
Just unplug the sidestand switch to disable it.

Frank

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:24 pm
by Rich Smith
Thanks for your replies folks-there's enough there to get stuck into. Yes, the pump makes that winding up noise when the ignition is turned on-about 5 seconds of hopefulness but no fuel makes it out past the pump. I get the impression that despite renewing that little relay above the battery and sort of under the nearside nose of the saddle, there is some other electrical component which has an influence on fuel delivery.

Now its stopped raining I want to get out there!

Thank you, I'm off delving again.

Rich.

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:19 am
by Haggis
I can only think that you have a similar fault as Boxerman? Your pump runs, yes. So the fuel has to be going somewhere. If it's not coming out the outlet the only other place it can go is back into the tank from a failed pressure regulator.
There is nothing else that controls fuel supply.

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:57 pm
by Rich Smith
Ooh, 'heck! A failed pressure regulator problem sounds like misery. Is this integral to the fuel pump assembly? ( the snorkel-like jobby that the motor slips into, perhaps?) or is it an as yet undiscovered, seperate gizmo somewhere?

Thanks for your assistance everyone.

Rich.

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:33 am
by Boxerman
It is under the black plastic cap thingy. Sounds like yours might be stuck open?
Remove the cap and the pressure regulator is held to the module by a circular spring clip. Take the clip off and the regulator comes out.
I modified mine by tapping a thread for a stainless caphead into the hole at the end, then I found a suitable spring and a locknut.
! set the pressure by trial and error using my air compressor and a pressure gauge.

Frank

Re: New Member with Fuel Problem!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:29 pm
by Rich Smith
Thank you. I will get stuck in to that over the weekend. Brilliant advice. Wish me luck... Cheers.

Rich.