Hi guys,
Hope someone out there can assist me. I have a 2006 ZX14 that does not want to start from time to time. Not the battery. Bike will start fine perhaps 20 times & then just not. Anyone out there have same problem ? Bike will then start when pushed (!!!!!) & cycle will start over again
Deon

* Last updated by: Deon on 10/5/2010 @ 3:51 AM *

Hi Deon. Some more info is required when you can please:

How many miles are on the bike?
Have the plugs been replaced since the bike's first creation?
Have you installed anything on the bike that would involve wiring of any kind?
Do you have any codes show up on the display at all?
Have you checked all of the fuses?
Do you have a Power Commander or any other mod?
Have you checked the kill switch to ensure wiring looks good?
Check all of your grounds and ensure that, wherever they're attached, the area has been sanded down. I found out the hard way that, when I installed my BackOff brake modulator, the area under the seat is black powdercoat, not bare metal. I had to sand off the powdercoat and only then did it behave properly.
Any loose wires anywhere?
Visually inspect each and every cable that isn't heat shielded with tape from the factory (in other words, exposed) and ensure it has no cracks or copper exposed from within.

If you don't have one, I'd recommend you pick up a multimeter from Radio Shack (they're cheap nowadays) and check your wires. If you don't have a service manual, we can hook you up.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. The bike has 28 000km on the clock & is stock standard. Have checked fuses,kill switch etc etc. 3 Dealers here in South Africa has looked at it & could not find anything ( I suppose it does not happen when they have the bike as it only happens every now & then). I checked on this ( very very good forum ) & found some info. on checking the fault codes. I also managed to get hold of a service manual so I will be checking the error code out this evening.
Thanks once again for your reply - from sunny South Africa !!!!!
Deon

Hi Deon. So, can you clarify? Is your bike throwing a code? Perhaps answers to other questions might help us decide where to go to help you from here.

Hi. No, there is no error code displayed on the dash. Is there any way to check if there is an error code by using two buttons or can one only check what code is once the red light flashes ?
To answer some of your other questions. Bike was serviced 1000km ago - new plugs etc.
Deon

* Last updated by: Deon on 10/5/2010 @ 11:30 PM *

hey bud have you tried
1. In gear out of gear starting are the results different
2. kick stand up then down starting any change
3. knock over switch (this little bugger caused me to just rip the guts out of it now its just the pc board in there)
4. see how mang amps the starter is drawing when you try to start it
5. disconnect power from battery for more than 10 sec to reset then try starting
6. for more info are we talking about motor turns over and no start or no turn over after a few cycles when it won't start do you still hear the feul pump when you turn the key ,do you have ABS do all other switches and fan funtion normal... just want to see you through hope you get it solved man

AS for my knock over switch it was causing the bike to not start sometimes and i checked what i thought was everything but that little B.I. was the problem I guess their good for something ,but I am not sure what I have heard that more than 1 14 has fallen over and the bike was still running on its side good luck

Hi there. Thanks for advice. Firstly, she will start and go fine for a long time. What will then happen from time to time is that when I push starter button, nothing will happen (DEAD). Fuel pump goes on but no start. Side stand up/down. In gear/out of gear etc etc. Just the RED light that blinks (only noticed the blinking recently ). Like I've said in the posts above,have checked everything. Gues I will just wait 'till it happens again & then try & get error code but problem is that no error code is displayed. No ABS.Thanks once again for advice.

* Last updated by: Deon on 10/6/2010 @ 8:10 AM *

So, my questions still stand. You say it was serviced recently. Did you have this problem prior to the service? What did they do exactly? When time permits, can you please address my other questions?

Hi,
Yes, did it prior to service as well. My apologies, will address your other questions in the morning. Time to go home & see if I can get that damn grommet out the airbox that fell in last night when I tried to put tank cover back.
Thanks for your advice & assistance. I am so glad that I got hold of this site - you guys are really helpfull.
Deon

* Last updated by: Deon on 10/6/2010 @ 8:33 AM *

If I'm not mistaken...you have an immobilizer on your Euro Model Bike?Sounds as if it MAY be acting up?Or perhaps some way you are starting it...causing it to activate once in a while?IDK.Just an idea.If you have the manual...there's a whole section in there about the immobilizer.Might have some "special" way of bypassing it or something?.

Hi Blue,
Yes, it does have an immobilser & one of the thoughts that came to me before was that this could have something to do with it. But then I also thought it may be the switch on the sidestand or the chip in the key. I will have a look at the service manual & check how I can bypass the immobiliser. One question though. Although the RED light blinked ( this is the immobilser light so by the way ) when this happened the last few times, it never showed an error message on the dash. Is this error message stored & is it possible to check what the error message is without putting a diagnostics machine on the bike ( can one check it by utilizing the two buttons on the dash ??? ).
Deon

You can access the code from the two buttons....however...I think it actually has to code on the dash FIRST...then you can pull up the particular code number(s).Once the error is "corrected"(like if your bike starts again with no problem),you've basically lost the code cause the bike ecu has overridden the "problem"(so it thinks).Only when it reappears will the ecu store the fault for recall.The dealer DOES have an ability to get into the stored codes...but it might be a big hassle IDK.The flashing red light usually indicates to the pilot that it's coding on the dash(American Models have the flashing red light,but it means something other than the immobilizer)...so they can check it right then.If you turn the key off,then try to get a code AFTER it's been shut down,it may not display a code for ya...UNLESS.. the fault is immediate with the electrics and fuel system.If it does this again...do not shut the power off.Push BOTH buttons in for approximately 3 seconds or so.If there's a number in there,it should display.Do Not turn key off.You may be able to get it to code IF you continue to press the starter once it starts flashing red.IDK.I wouldn't HOLD the starter button in.Just push it several times and see what the dash does.Is it possible your starter harness is having a problem?Maybe loose connection there?It probably wouldn't throw a code for something like that.I'll read about that immobilizer...maybe I can see something in there?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/7/2010 @ 12:59 AM *

All connections/fuses/earths etc. has been (supposedly) checked by 3 dealers here in SA. Will wait for it to happen again & then try and access via buttons to see if it throws a code. Like I've said before, it only does it now and again. I've just been on a 2000km trip & it did not do it once.

I'll tell ya...this sounds like there's some sort of electrical connection problem....at the starter,or the ground there.IDK.Maybe something just loosened up.

I'm looking right now at the immobilizer error page.Is the red light flashing when you insert the key and turn the power on?If not...check this....push both buttons in for at least 2 seconds...see if you get an "immobolizer error" display on the dash.If you DO...Push both buttons in again and hold for 2 seconds...you should get a number on the dash.See if it does that.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/7/2010 @ 1:09 AM *

I hear what you are saying but don't you think that at least once within the 2000km trip it would then have happened again ???

IDK.Maybe not.Whatever fault may occur...if it corrects itself somehow...then the ecu will consider it "done",and it won't throw a code.I think this check has to be done with the factory pigtail connected to the harness in the subframe area in the back..connected to the pins in the ecu there...it looks like it.So you may not be able to get in there and tell if it's stored or what.Maybe just have to wait until she does it again...then do not shut key off...go immediately to the 2 second double button push and see what ya have.Once in the number mode,use the mode button to scroll through the "menus" that are indicated in the display.That should tell ya if the key chip is malfunctioning or what.Too bad(I guess?)that it's doing this at startup .So ya really don't know if it's gonna do it UNTIL ya shut the power off!Figures.

I'm lookin here at your setup....your key has a certain code or something in it that matches your ecu for your bike.There's something there called a "collation" circuit.I wonder if maybe your key and ecu are somehow having a communication problem at certain times(random).Sounds like it could possibly be?(pg 16-86).Do you have more than one key on your ring?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/7/2010 @ 1:32 AM *

Nope. Only the one key as I am aware that having more than one could "confuse" ECU.

She doesn't just stop running ever?If not....well...that's a GOOD thing!Don't wanna stall leaned over in a fast curve!

Hell no !!! When she is going, she goes fine.

Still looking for answers to my previous questions...

("pssssst....Loaded......he's not throwing a code")(I'm goin with immobilizer fault).(blinking red light=immobilizer)

I read the code part for your posts. Did you read the rest of my questions?

Well..ya..I read em...but I'm not sure Deon remembered to post answers as he said he would...it was late.

That is...IF yer askin me?

Loaded...I just read his answers to your questions above.Sounded to me like he covered about all of em?(Remember,he's in S.Africa....God knows how they explain things there! )

He did not however answer your ONE question that could solve this whole mystery..."do you have a powercommander?" I kinda doubt he sanded the paint from the frame for the grounds though!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/7/2010 @ 2:00 PM *

ok again this is what my bike was doing and it was the knockover switch its under the front wind screen on the right hand side easy to get to and replace if need be I had the red light too no codes no start went through the whole bike ....the whole bike Still this may not be your problem I was just amazed that it was mine you may find that the bike may have been dropped at some point causing the problem your having

* Last updated by: xxxses on 10/7/2010 @ 2:16 PM *

Good point xxxses.Could be.