2018 RMZ 250 starts then quits

timbo4020
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11
Joined
8/6/2023
Location
New Stanton , PA US

Hi everyone. I bought this bike not running. After fixing all the internal mechanical issues, the engine will start and run for about 10-15 seconds, will take throttle, sounds great, then just dies, like you’re pushing the kill switch. It takes about 10 kicks to get the holeshot light on the handlebars to light, then it goes out right away, and doesn’t come back on until you kick a bunch more times. I have replaced the stator, same deal.

I bought the battery harness and FI light from Suzuki. I put 12v to it and the holeshot light stays illuminated, but the FI light never comes on, not even for the 2 seconds that it’s supposed to come on when you first put 12v to the system. 

Do I have a possible ECM failure?


Guidance from anyone, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

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Donk122
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127
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2/24/2008
Location
CA
10/17/2024 4:48pm

Make sure you've grounded the harness to the frame on clean bare connections

timbo4020
Posts
11
Joined
8/6/2023
Location
New Stanton , PA US
10/18/2024 1:21am

Thank you for the reply Donk,

I cleaned the ground a few days ago with a file. It’s definitely a good, clean ground.

lodewijk
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6/19/2024
Location
Djee NL
10/18/2024 3:10am

Did you check the resistance on the rectifier? Tipover sensor ruled out? Crapped out sparkplug can also cause flameout after couple seconds once it gets to temperature. I would highly recommend getting one of those cheap OBD cable/readers for suzuki motorcycles, it lets you read the fault codes and basic sensors readouts and rule out a couple things.

Fried ECU can definitely happen, but i've heard it's pretty rare and in most cases it's something else. Had an electrical gremlin on 2008 rmz that turned out to be a short in the wiring harness, never found it but was fixed by replacing the whole loom. 

Are you sure it's electrical too, do you get a solid squirt of fuel when you look into the throttle body? 

timbo4020
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11
Joined
8/6/2023
Location
New Stanton , PA US
10/18/2024 5:19am Edited Date/Time 10/18/2024 5:19am

Thank you Lodewijk.

I will check those things hopefully in the next few days. I appreciate the input. I sided towards electrical because I feel like the holeshot light on the bars was supposed to stay illuminated, and definitely illuminate long before 10 kicks. I’ll definitely check all things mentioned and give an update. I’m just starting to diagnose, and wanted to be directed in the right direction from those of you who have the insight.

Do you, or anyone else know of a link to that OBD Reader from Suzuki?


Thanks!

The Shop

lodewijk
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63
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6/19/2024
Location
Djee NL
10/18/2024 6:18am

I believe that I had this one at the time: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802252579740.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

But this was over 10 years ago. Nowadays I think you can just better order a connector cable like this https://www.m.ebay.nl/itm/144351862527 

And use a cheap ELM OBD bluetooth connector and app on your phone with that. It will be more widely applicable and for less than 50$. But i no longer have a RMZ so can't verify if indeed this works, maybe someone else knows.

timbo4020
Posts
11
Joined
8/6/2023
Location
New Stanton , PA US
10/18/2024 2:48pm

Thank you again Lodewijk.


I’ll definitely check into these and go from there. I appreciate everyone’s help. Thank you!

timbo4020
Posts
11
Joined
8/6/2023
Location
New Stanton , PA US
10/19/2024 7:36am

Ok…dumb, dumb, DUMB, I am…

Figured I’d start checking some electricals this morning. Upon removing the tank, fuel pump connector, and while removing the fuel line, the gasoline that leaked out of the fuel line, onto the top of the valve cover, was a nice gasoline/H2O mixture! 😳😂. While I had the tank off though, I checked connections and several other things while the tank was off and things seemed good. 

Reinstalled the tank, fresh gas, the engine runs good. 

Thank you to those who responded. It really is appreciated.

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