96 1500 Timing Belt replacement

[Jthieling]

Hello fellow Goldwing Riders,

Got some tech questions:

I have a 96 Aspencade with Approx 52K on it. Decided to do the timing belts, now the bike cranks, but will not start. All 3 timing reference marks line up as they should, hand cranked motor over 3 or 4 times,no resistance. Installed plugs, and reassembled the front timing covers. Bike ran good before this, other than a small vacuum leak, which was also fixed. Appears to be getting no spark, or fuel. Resistance on the Pulse Generators is within spec per Honda Service Manual. All fuses are good, battery at 12.6 Volts.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Rambozo]

Maybe check compression?
Of course check any wiring you disturbed doing the job.

[Jthieling]

Only thing currently disconnected is the oil pressure sender. Bike was running saturday night, on center stand. Has not been moved. Checked wiring at kill switch, all looks good there. Bank Angle Sensor tests good. Resistance for pulse generators tested at connector above right hand fan, all within spec. No fuel, and no spark has been verified. Have also checked all fuses, and relays, all test good. Did try to remove the plug on the email, to do testing at that point, but so far, have been unsuccessful in getting the yellow plug undone at the ecm.

[Rambozo]

So it ran after you did the timing belts?

[Jthieling]

Nope, that when the no fuel/spark issue started. After belts were replaced.

[ct1500]

The only thing that could have been disturbed are the pulse generators, revisit that work area and confirm installation is correct. Also check pulse ring teeth. Where was the vacuum leak and what else was dug into? Sounds like more of the bike is torn apart then just a timing belt job.

[Jthieling]

The vacuum lines were behind the left cooling fan, replaced those, put it back together, and it ran great. Next day decided to do the timing belts. Followed the timing belt install guide found on GoldwingDocs.com, and triple checked all of that. That's when it would not start, is after the timing belts. Also removed, and re-installed both Pulse Generators, thinking maybe they were in the incorrect position. At a complete loss with this.

[Rambozo]

Something of a longshot, but it happens so often I have to ask. Check the battery voltage while cranking. Low voltage will produce a no spark when cranking condition. You can often see this as a bike that doesn't start while cranking, but starts as you let off the button.

[Jthieling]

Checked battery voltage, all seems good. Also tried to start it with a 200amp boost.

[ct1500]

Your first picture shows what I think is a misrouted wire for the upper PG and the harness would be very close to the belt guide of crankshaft. It could pass an OHM test but fail in operation if it was partially broken/cut or wiring too close to rotating metal, pulley teeth, pulse ring. I believe the PG's are fool proof in installation because the upper does not have the wire length to be installed lower or is shorter, you should double check that. I vaguely remember someone might have installed PG's mixing upper with lower resulting in a no start? Blue and white wire PG to bottom? This picture shows correct harness routing for upper. Not a big believer in coincidence so if the only procedure was timing belts it has to be in that area Ever since you changed my engine oil the transmission is slipping.

You are testing for spark with the plug shell grounded? The manual for ignition is good so try the troubleshoot procedure there.

[Jthieling]

I want to thank everyone for your tips and advice. Ct1500 was correct, I figured it out yesterday morning, with a fresh mind. I had the upper pulse generator mounted backwards. Runs like a top now. Now it's time to add some accessories to the bike!

[ct1500]

Stay around here with the rest of us.

[Jthieling]

Oh, I will. It's always good to have a group that can learn and teach each other from their own experiences. I just got my first Goldwing last spring, so I am definitely learning more every day.

[billcrawford]

glad you are able to get it fixed. i’m planning to replace belts on mine. what did you replace and how much can i expect to spend? where did you get parts? thank you.

[Jthieling]

I only replaced the belts themselves, as the bike only has 52k miles on it. The rubber cover gaskets were in good shape. I used Gates belts part #T275. Those can be purchased from NAPA, or online. I would recommend doing plugs, if you haven't done them recently, as it is easier to turn the motor with the plugs pulled. I inspected the tensioner, and they were in very good condition. You will also want 1 gallons worth of 50/50 silicate free coolant, as you will have to drain coolant, and remove hoses in the front to remove the belt covers. I used blue loctite on the tensioner bolts, as well as the bolts for the pulse generators. I had less then $100 in parts.

[billcrawford]

thank you for responding. that helps.

[waynedudes]

This happened to me. The first time I rode my GW. Riding along and stopped at a stop sign. Bike died and would not start! Took me about 10 minutes to figure it out. I had hit the kill switch..... I put kill switch back to run position and it started. Sometimes it is the simplest things that we over look.