Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Help! My TBA won't start...

I need some advice. I know I've seen some similar threads but can't seem to find them.

2005 Bonneville America

I went out to the garage tonight to get out the bike and remove my windshield (a little tinkering and polishing). After I removed the windshield I decided to take a short ride around the neighborhood. The bike started but was only running on the left cylinder (left exhaust got warm, right didn't). I turned off the bike after about 20 seconds because it didn't sound right and there was some blue-ish (not normal) exhaust. I rolled the bike back into the garage and pulled both sparkplugs, the right one was wet and obviously not firing. I cleaned and reinstalled both plugs, now the bike won't start at all, neither cylinder fires. I pulled and cleaned each fuse, none were blown. I checked the coils under the tank and both seemed to be plugged in ok.

Any ideas on what to check next? Could I have inadvertently messed up some wiring near the headlight when removing the windshield?

Thanks!
John M.
The Colony, TX

I assume it will turn over? Kill switch?

Go to a parts store and get one of those cheap timing lights that can be hooked to a plug wire. Are you getting juice to the plugs?

I doubt if removing the windshield did anything but it wouldnt hurt to pull the headlight and check the two connector inside.

Thanks Phil. I will pull the headlight tomorrow and check to see what's in there. neither plug is getting spark at all right now. Yup, it turns over fine and the kill switch is in the run position.

John

Should I have 12 volts at each coil when the key is turned on? Or do they get juice after the bike starts cranking over?

Thx
JM

Couldn't hurt to check/grease all the usual electrical culprits. Battery terminals? I know if you went by the Triumph manual you disconnected your battery before removing the windshield Also, maybe pull/grease/plug in all the coil/plug connections. DEFINITELY check that headlight bucket. Many a mucho mysterioso problem has been caused by wires in there.

Like Phil and Ben said check the headlight, Sometimes the rubber grommet on the headlight pops out and the wires could get eaten and ground out on the light. Also it gets snug sometimes and if not plugged in all the way a small tug could loosen the connectors.

I still can't get my 2005 TBA to start. Yesterday when I opened the garage door a huge plume of gas vapor floated out, I was afraid the place was going to explode. I found a 3 foot diameter puddle of gas and oil under the America and a grommet that has been ripped and pulled out from the casting. Can anyone tell me what this wire is for? Could it stop the bike from running? I'm thinking there is a gas leak somewhere that is filling the crank case and the gas and oil mixture is leaking out of the torn grommet. And, yes, the petcock was closed.

Any Ideas what that wire will cost me? And can I pull that chrome cover off easily? Will I need a new gasket for it?

Thanks in advance!
John

That wire is the ignition pickup coil. If it is damaged your bike will not go. The wire might just be cut and need to be soldered together. It does look like it has got moved sideways somewhat. From what I can read in my manuals there may be oil in there so that could be where your oil has come from, not sure about your fuel smell though??

That is definetly the sensor for the spark wire. And there is oil under the cover. You wil need a new gasket if you remove the cover too. Since you have an 05, I would think it is still warranteed? If so, take it to the dealer ASAP. If not, you will need to pull the cover and hope you can repair the wiring if it is broken or shorted, looks shorted from the picture. I don't think a new sensor/wire would be that much though, and if you do replace it, you MUST be sure to gap it according to the manual or it might not fire, been there, done that.
As for the gas/oil, just check for leaks or a stuck float bowl.

DON'T START YOUR BIKE!!!!!!! BY LOOKING AT YOUR OIL WINDOW IN THAT PIC YOUR BOTTOM CRANK IS FULL OF GAS AND OIL !!!!!

BIKER

and if you have the buck's get a pingle petcock

BIKER

I hope I'm wrong, but is that a crack above the sensor?

cricky- hes got bionic eyes that SalMaglie chap!

Like I said, I'm not sure. Besides, I've been wearing glasses since I was 5, so don't start calling me eagle eye. I do have a nifty little program where I can right click on any pic and zoom in. Can't remember where I downloaded it from, but Firefox also has a few extensions that'll do the same thing.

It's hard to see if it is a crack or just some oil or something from the pic even with the zoom. Should be able to tell if you had the bike in front of you.

Yes, I noticed the oil window when I was inspecting the torn grommet. I'm sure the crank is full up with gas. I'm trucking the bike to one of our local Triumph dealers tomorrow. They said it may be covered under warranty and that they would let me know after looking at it.

I'll have to check the crack when I get home. I didn't notice that one! Sh*t.

John

Hey John,

Hope it isn't a crack. Let us know one way or the other. If it is it's the first one I've ever seen or heard of on these new Triumph twins.

Luckly it's not a crack. The lower engine case has two pieces joined together there and held by that white headed bolt in the picture. But, get this, I got on the bike and tipped it up to see if the oil level would show in the window and nearly a gallon of gas drained out the sensor hole. I had to tip the bike back onto it's kickstand because my drain pan was full. I've had my petcock in the "off" position this whole time so I must have a stuck float AND bad petcock.?

John

I don't know what caused that gas to get in there, but I'm glad it wasn't a crack. Sorry to raise a false alarm for you.