96 vt1100c sputters and dies

[NickN72]

I haven't been able to get the bike out this year, but I was having some problems with it last year and am trying to figure them out.

The bike starts fine and runs, but when I get 1 to 2 miles down the road (usually only the first time each day) it starts to sputter and eventually dies. I pull over and after quite a bit of cranking it usually starts back up but only firing on one cylinder. I can baby the throttle and eventually the other cylinder kicks in and it will run great after that.

Sometimes, after it dies, I can't get it to re-start and will run down the battery. The weird part is that I've found that as soon as i hook up to a car to jump it the bike will start up and run great. I also found last spring I couldn't get it to start after winter until i hooked it up to the car and it started right up.

I'm wondering if it might be the battery that's the problem, or if it might be the ignition coils, or any other ideas you guys might have? Thanks.

[NickN72]

No ideas? any suggestions on how to start tracking down the problem?

[PainterD]

I'd start at the scorce first - the battery to make sure it's fully charged. If so, look at the wiring to make sure all the connectors and ground points to make sure everything is making good contact. Also check the charging system to make sure it's doing its job to keep the battery fully charged.
There's also the starter switch that needs attention eventually so it works properly. And of course, the starter itself can be faulty so that may be the reason for poor starting.
It's usually something simple that's the problem, but the pain is finding it.
Let us know what you find.

[verdeva]

How old is your battery? I would take it to a car parts store and have it load tested.

[NickN72]

I don't know how old the battery is, I just bought the bike last year. It seems to be in good shape as it will crank for quite a while, but maybe that doesn't mean anything.

Do they test just like a regular car battery? Can they tell me if its good or bad, or do i just need numbers from them on what it tests?

[jpr1968]

The best way to test a battery is to take it to a place that sells batteries and have it load tested but if you have a meter a fully charged battery should read about 13-13.5vdc. Anything less then about 12.5-12.8 vdc and the bike will crank but not produce enought spark to start.

[EASYR1]

Same exact thing and symptoms from my 95 1100. The last thing I thought of was the battery because itwas only 6 months old. When I put a meter on it it was only at 11.9v. You can jump it but the fuel pump will eventually start failing and it will sputter. Most likely a bad battery

[Camo2]

Originally Posted by EASYR1

Most likely a bad battery

+1. These bikes need to maintain at least 12.5 volts when running or you'll get your symptoms.

[NickN72]

I just put a meter on it and came out with 12.5v. I plugged in the trickle charger to make sure it was fully charged and I'll test it again.

I'm thinking it will probably get replaced. Anyone have insight on getting the normal hyb16a or replacing it with the ytz14s?

[Camo2]

Buy an AGM battery. Wayyy better than the T-shaped Yuasa that came in these bikes.