Hello chaps, I'm having problems starting my '98 TBS. I've had the battery hooked up to an optimiser, so assume all is ok there. Neutral light comes on and all other lights work fine, but the oil pressure warning light doesn't come on with the ignition switched on? It's turning over, but not firing. Any thoughts?
Dirty Big Hands First thing to do and before every thing is check that oil pressure light. Not sure if it is bulb or led. How long has the bike been standing may need fresh petrol if to long. And after you check that light try putting a small amount of fuel down each plug hole usually gets a bike to kick in and get the fuel flowing again. But if you have lost oil pressure you need to get it sorted urgently. Ride Safe Joe.
Thanks Joe, It's fired up now, initially on 2 cylinders by the sound of it, a lot of popping and banging (love those popping noises!) and seems to be idling ok now it's up to temeperature. The oil pressure warning light still isn't illuminating with the ignition switched on though?
You still need to check why the light is not initially illuminating it could simply be a duff bulb but starting and running while not knowing if there is sufficient oil pressure or not is a bit of a worry to say the least...the fact that you say its started and up to temp doses indicate it should be OK but you would be surprised just how long a motor with no oil pressure will run until under load.
I think you will find that the oilpressure switch is in the rear of the sump, screwed in from the rear. Pull off the connector and with the ignition on connect the wire to earth / chassis you may need to use a bit of spare wire to join to the oil switch wire to earth it and still be able to see the lamp light. If the light works then more than likely the switch has failed if not you have either a broken wire or the bulb is blown.
Give it a blast with WD40 or similar and wriggle the connector from side to side whilst pulling at it, should come off ok
It has a cover (rubber?) over it. It wriggles, but even with a pair of pliers on it, won't come off! Full of character these bikes!
If you squeeze down on the flat sides of the rubber cover it is possible that it has a lock on it that will release, soundds like it is sticking but they usually come off with a decent pull.
OK so a quick and dirty way to check for oil pressure. 17mm spanner and locate the oil feed banjo on the RH rear of the cylinder head start the engine and whilst its running undo the banjo bolt 1/4 turn ........ Have a rag ready as its going to get dirty really quickly, once you have proved you have oil pressure ( oil sprays out ) lock it up again, wipe everything clean. Sort out the oil pressure switch / bulb / wiring issue .............
I'm being lazy! It has a screen that need removing to get to the bulb I guess my question would be... Is it possible that it's keeping oil pressure permanently? Could something go wrong in there to cause constant oil pressure and starting issues, it did initially run on 2 cylinders!
Very unlikely, the pressure relief valve could be sticking but pressure would gradually release through the pump gears anyway so it would not be keeping the bulb from illuminating once engine is stopped for a little while so very likely the bulb...but it always pays to be cautious with oil pressure as a bulb is much less then an engine rebuild.
I think I agree with you. Where the switch is the engine block (?) has a lip around it which means water can sit there instead of draining away.
Thanks for the input chaps. But, as with all things associated with this bike, it appears to have fixed itself.
Then as with all things mechanical & electrical I would continue with the fault finding till you find the original issue, because it's Not IF, but When it returns it WILL do so at a place and time much less convenient when you may have a real problem to deal with ...........
Turns out, if I wiggle the cables from the switch gear, the oil pressure light then works! Been having intermittent working of the starter button too.
