XT660X fails to start
 

Hi all,

I�ve secretly been learning much about my bike in the past year behind the shadows of the forum (I don�t like to be a nusance)

However, now I�m in need of some help...

My 2006 XTX won�t start.
No warning or signs this was gonna happen, just woke up one morning and it struggled to start, ran for a minute or so, then nothing.

The bike turns over and the fuel pump primes (disconnected the hose to the fuel rail and fuel is pumping)
I am getting a spark, however I will replace the plug today.
I have checked the resistance on the fuel injector and I�m getting the expected 12 ohms.
DIAG mode shows no faults, and no fuses are blown.
The plan today is to check all the sensors and see if the injector is actually working (didn�t appear to be fuel misting out of the spark plug hole when I turned it over with the plug out)

Any help or advice will be greatly apppreciated.
Thanks in advance, Ian

How long has it been sat / unridden? Petrol deteriorates.

Thanks for your response.

I ride it every day (commuting 30 minutes each way)
So good fuel.

I have replaced the plug and checked all the resistance areas on the coil.
All of which are fine.

Next stop will be to start checking all sensors.

Oh, worth a mention; I managed to just get it started first thing this morning but it soon shut off.

Simple check..battery terminals...I learnt that one the hard way

So, turns out the spark I was getting from the old plug was a weak one.
Fitted the new plug, cut back the coil lead (it wasn’t as tight as I’d like on the cap) and bam! Started on the button.

Took the bike for a test ride and I cant believe the difference it has made!

Thanks to those who took the time to read and respond.

I've got a similar problem which could well be the same as yours? Mine has a weak spark, but once it does start, it runs fine. If it ever stops raining i'll gte out and check it and see if its the same cause as yours. Glad you got yours sorted.

Let us know how you get on.
Glad my issue and solution may help someone else.

The only breakdown on my XTX I've ever had was caused by the plug, I always carry a spare now.

Went out and looked at it on Sunday. Coil and plug cap resistances were all within spec. Trimmed the lead back until i saw shiny copper wire and even dabbed a bit of copper slip in there. Tried the old plug and new plug and it sparks but it doesn't look a nice big fat blue spark?

One thing I did find was when i lifted the tank up, the quick release fuel line connection popped off by itself? Bit miffed by this as it did behave like a bike that was running out of petrol, but wouldn't this line be pressurised and run erratically if pressure wasn't maintained, yet the bike ran well it eventually started?

Anyway, after doing what I did, it started straight up, but it would do that sometimes or most times anyway. I guess the next few days well tell me how it is. I hate intermittent faults.

That's a bloody good idea! If it is a common thing with these bikes, then I'll do the same.
Pop it under the seat. But I'll need to check I have the right tools in the original tool kit to be able to change it at the road side.

Fuel line popping off doesn't sound good. But I would expect you to have fuel leaking out everywhere if it wasn't making a seal? When I was diagnosing mine, I disconnected the fuel line from the fuel rail and switched on the bike: fuel pumps out the hose at a fair rate!


Update on my bike: rode it 10 miles Sunday evening -No issues.
Rode it yesterday morning on my commute - 25 miles - No issues.
Went to ride it home after work and although it started fine, it wouldn't allow me to rev it. As I did, it tried to stall.
Eventually it did stall as I wanted to get the revs up. It started fine, on the button.


After a minute or so of the bike ticking over, it allowed me to rev it gradually. The ride home was somewhat eratic at times. There seemed to be no consistancy with it's actions.
Got it on the motorway and it was ok, but it did feel like the bike was "hunting"
Stopped off half way home and screwed the coil plug cap onto the lead a bit more.
The rest of the journey home was without issues....


Last night I removed the coil plug cap and used some electrical cleaner and a thin long brush and gave it a good clean. Fair bit of crap in there.
Started it up no issues, gave it a run around the block and all was fine - but have not used it today to commute.

The first time mine played up, it just failed to start and i abandoned it and took my other bike to work. When I got home I tried it again and it started straight up, so I thought it was just one of those things and would take it again in the morning.

Next morning it did exactly what yours did up there. I finally got it revving and rode it, but it was a bit down on power, then it cut out on me on a busy roundabout!! Pushed it to safety and waited a few minutes, then it fired back up and ran just fine.

Mine had probably only played up 5 or 6 times, but its always seemed like fuel rather than electrical, as you sort of coax it into life, like an old carb bike that gradually pulls the fuel through?

Yeah, I�ve read through your whole post.
Very simular issues.
I will update my post accordingly and keep an eye on yours to see if a solution arises...

Mine started and rode perfectly again today?

On another forum, another XTX owner said its worth checking the throttle position sensor as they are not unknown to fail and he'd had two on his 60k bike. I haven't checked the archives, but guess as they are a resistor you could take a reading that should be within a set range?

Mine is still running fine too after two days of riding....


I did check my TPS using DIAG mode and values were within range.
(but I guess they would be while the bike is running ok)


My plan now is to see if it plays up again. When / if it does, shut the bike off and enter DIAG mode. If all values are within spec, then it has to be something non-senor related...?

Mine played up this morning. Just kept spinning over without firing up. Stuck another plug in the HT cap and the spark is really weak. Even put my finger on the plug and only got a minor shock? Replaced the HT cap on the bikes plug and kept spinning it over and eventually it spluttered into life and away I went. Rode perfectly once I got it going. I'll go through the earth points at the weekend...

Have you considered trying a different coil?..

I have, but no difference. Coil, lead and ht cap all in spec on the multimeter too.

I've decided to part ways with mine and stuck it on eBay with the fault disclosed. I got a message from a guy who said the following, which I thought i'd share. Might be worth checking out?

Hello mate
This starting issue is down to a dirty injector
Take your injector out and send it to a company called ' injectortune' costs 20 quid all done and it'll go like a champ again

Worth a try for �20...
Also ties in with some other peoples comments around fuel additives to help clean the fuel system...


Got to be worth a go mate.


Out of interest; how many miles has your bike done?

17k. Not sure how long the kev mod has been on there, but i'd hazard a guess its been running with it set too rich for some time and could well have fouled up the injector?

Did you ever try a heavy duty mix of Redex,as suggested?..

No and yes! I've ordered some but it's not arrived yet. I've sold the bike now, but its not going for a week or so, which will give me time to put it through the bike. The new owner knows about the starting issue, but it'd be nice to cure it before he collects it, if it was something as simple as that.

You have sold it already?.WOW...You had enough of XTR's then?.

Sort of. I really liked the bike but it had to go at some point, as its my commuter into London and it doesn't meet the requirements for the new ultra low emission zone which is being introduced next and will cost me �12.50 a day. But the main reason was I need a knee replacement and it was becoming uncomfortable to ride. so when it started playing up, it was the death knell for it!

I think the phrase is ...******.

The bike has been parked up in my back garden since Thursday night and exposed to all the elements, covered in snow etc, yet it started up straight away just now. Normally where its parked, its facing uphill, but that's the only thing I can think of is different and it always start at work and again its parked on level ground there? Dunno where the fuel pick up is in the tank, but wonder if there is some water got in there?

This *MAY* be fixed?! I ordered a known good, second hand coil, to try as a process of elimination. While I was waiting for it to be delivered, I checked my coil with a multimeter and it was all within spec. But, as I had bought the coil, i decided I may as well fit it it before the new owner picks it up, sort of one less thing for him to check.

This morning I came out and it started instantly and i rode it up the road and thought, it seemed to have more power and was more responsive. Got out on the A road and it definitely felt more responsive and lot more punchy!? I guess if a coil is breaking down the readings it gives may not be conclusive? Anyone had or heard of that?

I guess only time will tell if that was the cause, but i'm only using it for the next few days, so i'll ask the new owner to let me know if it ever fails to start again. Either way, at least I didn't waste my money on the coil, lol!

Please do keep us updated as the whether this sorted the issues....


Would also be good to hear from anyone that may have had a similar issue with their coil in respect to correct readings when checked but it turned but turned out to be a coil breaking down.