89 gl1500 won't start after a ride

[nayron]

My 89 Goldwing GL1500 went on a 4.5 mile trip to dinner. Time to leave, bike won't start.
Sent for trailer. About an hour later, when trailer arrived, tried bike and it started.
Almost ran battery dead trying to start it. When it started an hour later, Alt meter showed good.
What the ?./<@!! is going on.
One person said it might be the fuel pump. ?????

[nayron]

My 89 gl1500 won't start after an hour ride.
Cranks like all billy but won't fire, finally runs battery down from trying.
Need answers, I'm new to the Goldwing family

[Aussie81Interstate]

Put the choke on when you try to start it after the one hour ride.

[dovesdrummer]

May be a silly question, but is it possible the kill switch is on? It will still crank over, but of course won't start. Just a thought

[FM-USA]

We need more info for a good diagnosis.
The bikes miles, service, what you've tried and checked already, etc..

[nayron]

She has 139,255 miles on her. I had the fuel pump checked, hums like it should.
It's like something is getting hot and needs to cool down overnight, then she will fire right up like nothing was ever wrong. Tried full choke , push start, jump start, nothing.
I don't know the location of the fuel pump relay, can't find it. HELP

[WingAdmin]

She has 139,255 miles on her. I had the fuel pump checked, hums like it should.
It's like something is getting hot and needs to cool down overnight, then she will fire right up like nothing was ever wrong. Tried full choke , push start, jump start, nothing.
I don't know the location of the fuel pump relay, can't find it. HELP

A lot of the time, when a Goldwing won't generate spark when it is hot (particularly when starting) it's due to failing pulse generators.

When the bike is hot and won't start (go out for a ride, then come home), and take crank bolt cover off:



Underneath the left side timing cover are the pulse generators, one is at the 8:00 position:



The other is at the 11:00 position:



(both of those pictures are with the timing belt cover removed)

Take the straw of a freeze spray product and push it in between the crank and the cover, and spray the pulse generators, to cool them.

Then try starting your bike again. If it starts right up, you know the pulse generators are faulty and need to be replaced.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVHFI0Y?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Charlie1Horse]

Remove the kill switch and check the connectors underneath. Many miles and years of handlebar vibration will cause these connector screws to get loose therefore you have no power to control module or fuel pump. I had this happen on my 92 Interstate at 78K. Tightened the screws and no more problems. Add some thread locker to the screw threads.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

Read more: viewtopic.php?t=32126#ixzz42NRqGlPD

[redial]

Something else to consider, is that a 4.5 mile trip would not give enough time for the battery to be fully charged, even though the right amount is going in. To test the battery at the terminals would be an easy task. There may not be enough 'smoke' to start it, but enough to turn it over. Load test the battery to see if it is holding a charge good enough to start it (a battery seller should have the equipment to load test a battery).

[Blackngold]

My 89 gl1500 won't start after an hour ride.
Cranks like all billy but won't fire, finally runs battery down from trying.
Need answers, I'm new to the Goldwing family

Well nayron welcome to the family. If you are new to GL's get ready to become very educated if you plan on keeping it running as these top of the line MC's will require you to "get under the hood". At $100.00 an hour for a mech. who may know what he's doing you really have no choice but to do it yourself. A lot will depend on the previous owner/owners and their up keep or neglect to more than just routine maintenance. The previous posts gave you some ideas on where to start but if they don't resolve the issue there are LOTS of other possible causes. Something as simple as the ignition switch is worn out can cause headaches or the gear shifter oil seal is worn out not allowing the neutral green light to come on in the dash can prevent starting, bank angle switch, etc... This is a wonderful site to diagnose problems and many with more knowledge than me are willing to help. All you have to do in most cases is search for the remedy because its happened before to someone else and been written about. Good Luck

[retiredrecluse]

I have the same issue with the engine cranks over fine but won’t start after a long ride.
I’ve change the coolant sensor, air filter sensor, both pulse generators, bypassed the fuel shutoff valve and bank sensor, changed the fuel filter, checked fuel pump output and emergency shutoff switch. Battery is also new. The bike starts up fine when cold or directly after shutting it off, but won’t fire up after setting for over 1/2 hour after a long ride. Any thoughts or experienced suggestions would be helpful.

[Charlie1Horse]

Try testing your ignition coils. While you are riding you have air flowing through to help keep it cool, (as much as possible). When you shut it down and the fans are not circulating through the engine area, the heat keeps building for a while before it starts to cool. Ignition coils have always been known for failing when they get overheated, just before they fail altogether. I had that problem with my 92 Goldwing Interstate. Finally one of the three coils failed completely and I had to replace it so, I replaced all three of them and now it starts easily.
Russell

[Rambozo]

Find out if you are missing spark or fuel.
How is the rubber mat under the carbs?