2012 Intermittent Starting Problem

[joberry1]

I am having an intermittent starting issue on my 2012 Goldwing. It is very intermittent, so I am trying to be proactive with it to hopefully avoid getting stranded somewhere. It has happened 3 times in the last 6-8 months most recently 2 weekends ago. When it does happen, it will crank over normal, but not start. I have been able to get it started by continuing to go through the normal process. (Turn ignition back off, then on. Check my kill switch position, kick stand etc). The first time, I was not sure I heard the fuel pump come on, so I did some research. Found some instances where a marginal battery may keep it from starting if it didn't have enough voltage during cranking. I replaced the battery with an OEM battery. I also replaced the fuel pump relay, just in case. I have had the same problem once since then. "I did hear the fuel pump come on during that event". It eventually started. It runs perfectly once started. I do not have a fault light come on either.
I am asking for some input and suggestions on maybe some proactive things to do or check and also, maybe some things to be prepared for to check next time it does happen. I plan to be better prepared to maybe remove a spark plug and check spark at that time before I continue to try and start it. I feel like it is an electrical issue, but not positive of this.
Has anyone else had a similar issue?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
John

[keithg64]

Not quite sure yet. A lot of sticky switch issues the bike would not crank over.

Do the lights come on when this happens?

[joberry1]

Yes they do. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary yet, except it doesn't start. And of course I have no idea when the next time it will happen. I am off this week, so I will get to ride it some and try to get it to fail again.
Thanks,

[cihilb]

Are you still running the original battery? A low battery can give these symptoms. There will be enough voltage to crank the engine, but not enough for it to start.
You can test it by putting a voltmeter on the battery terminals and then cranking the engine. The voltage should not drop below 10.5 volts.
You can also hold the throttle wide open while cranking. This will prevent the bike from starting and give you a better idea of the battery condition.
You could take the battery to a good auto parts store and they can load test the battery.

[cihilb]

Are you still running the original battery? A low battery can give these symptoms. There will be enough voltage to crank the engine, but not enough for it to start.
You can test it by putting a voltmeter on the battery terminals and then cranking the engine. The voltage should not drop below 10.5 volts.
You can also hold the throttle wide open while cranking. This will prevent the bike from starting and give you a better idea of the battery condition.

Whoops, just noticed that you have already replaced the battery.
Another place to look would the pulse generator. It is located behind the timing chain cover. There have been instances where the connector on the pulse generator has become corroded.

[joberry1]

Thanks cihilb. I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely check the connector for the pulse generator and post my findings.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Have your battery tested. Make sure your connections are clean and tight.

The next time it happens, see if the FI light will show its code. To do that, when it is in its "crank but no start mode," shift it into "N", put the side stand down, key and kill switch on, then crack it for 10 seconds. Hopefully that will trigger the FI to flash. Count the flashes, add them together, and report back.

- long flash = 10
- short flash = 1

Example ... 1 long and 9 shorts = 19

[joberry1]

Got it. Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated.

[joberry1]

This week, I went ahead and installed a new pulse generator. We will see if this takes care of it. I didn’t think it was too bad to install. Job went well. I will continue to update if the issue arises again. Thanks for all the input so far.

[Big Blue UK]

If it happens again, a few things to toss in.
Intermittent possibilities

Side stand switch connector.
Bank angle Sensor, or connector.
Reverse switch stuck in a fraction, apparently just enough to let it crank but not fire (not tried this myself).
Pull the headlight fuse.

[joberry1]

I wanted to update those who have helped and been interested as well. Since replacing the pulse generator, I have not had an issue. I have started it every time I walk by it in the basement. Been on several day trips as well as just finishing a 3 day ride over the long weekend. I am starting to restore faith in it now. I will update again later in the summer unless the issue arises again. If that happens, I will definitely ask for more help. Thanks for all the input!

[andymoto523]

I have a 2014 Airbag version that was having the same intermittent starting problem this summer. The bike only had about 7000 kilometers (4300 miles) on it. I also got the same flashing error code. Very frustrating. As a result of the messages posted here I had the pulse generator replaced and the bike has started properly ever since. I didn't do the work myself but was lucky to find someone in our city that has experience working on these bikes. Since much of the fairing was dismantled to undertake this job, I had him change the air filter at the same time. I must say that despite how nice our Goldwings are, I belief that it is a complete engineering failure on the part of Honda that it takes so much work to access critical components of the bike. Oh well, hopefully that will be the end of the problems for many years.