Well it was bound to happen...

[Lucid]

my bonnie left me stranded. The bike had been running flawlessly. Went to fill up with gas prior to my usual afternoon ride, and when I tried to start her after filling up, she wouldn't turn over. Pulled her off to the side and checked all the usual suspects. Plugs, gas flow, etc. She was cranking, but no go. Well to make a long story short, since the first breakdown I've been able to figure out a pattern. She starts right up when cold and will run for about 5 minutes. As soon as she warms up she'll die, or if I shut her off before she dies, she won't start again. My guess is electrical, but what, I don't know. I'm going to have to take her to the dealer, which is 40 miles away. Big suck!! You guys (and girls) have any ideas? What a freakin' bummer! BTW- she's an '07 w/ almost 15k.

 

[DavidC]

Are the plugs sparking? Seems I heard about coil failure fairly often. I'd look to see if I had spark.

 

[CAPTDON]

Dead

++1 on coil! That would be my 1st start point! It fits the pattern- runs, coil gets hot/ shuts down. Does it re-start after a decent cool down period? & does the same procedure happen again?I would go that route. Might save ya the 40 mi+ carting it there? Its pretty common! Good luck!

 

[CAPTDON]

PS- Any consistancy to it happenning & filling up? Like does it happen ONLY when you gas up or when it runs for 5-10+ min ? Might be a whole diff gig there?

 

[Lucid]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah it will start after cool down. Been trying it for the past 3 days. Starts right up, ride it up and down the street for a couple of minutes and it either dies or I'll pull in the driveway, shut it off, then doesn't start. Nothing to do w/ gassing up. Sorry to sound so mechanically inept, but, what is the coil of which you speak and how would I test it? Bike is still under warranty, so I'd like the dealer to fix it, unless the coil is inexpensive. Pain in the ass to get it there though.

 

[ggRAT]

...but, what is the coil of which you speak and how would I test it?...

Follow the spark plug wires back to the first "black box" you come to. That's the coil.

 

[Lucid]

thanks, will do.

 

[CAPTDON]

Coil

Bike under warranty?? The dealer WILL fix it!! Expensive? Lets say they are not cheap. I think (being mech inept - you may have nailed it?) Only thing that would void your theory- is if it has spark after shutdown. Hey its a free fix ! Took mine out today. Had the "Need to SPEED"! Did a line shot to 115 & then a back-off. Man 4 yrs & this thing still bends the mirrors back on a WOT!
Let her back down in 4th & gotta love that "burble" from the guttted stockers! Not a pop to be heard! Your dealer is almost as far away as mine!
Hell its a free fix so ya gotta do it. Good luck- I think ya got it?

 

[KingBear]

Weak battery, just leaving the key on while filling was enough to drain it?

 

[Lucid]

Not a weak battery...

it would try to turn over. I'll run it tomorrow and let it get warm, then when she dies, or won't start up again, I'll check the plugs for spark. No spark would mean bad coil, right? Recently checked the battery, as it is going on 2 years, and the damn thing showed full charge.

Thanks for the replies, happy thanksgiving everyone. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

 

[DandyDoug]

Well lets see ,
mine has done the same sort of crap, but seems to be fine now, only went through,
three ignition pulsers, two sets of coils and wires, three different spark boxes ( the infamous black box under the seat on the rear fender). I also ended up removing the side stand ignition inerupter switch and re connecting the related wiring together.
I love my 05 Bonneville but still think the older stuff was easier to diagnose and fix.
You might also check the infamous tip over valve to see if it is plugged, I removed mine and do not have any issues from the loss.

 

[slowgator]

Ignition Control Unit?

No spark would mean bad coil, right?

Not necessarily. I had a similar problem with my '07 T100 cutting out. Started with intermittent cutting out like yours but would then restart. Finally put me at the side of the road and had her towed to the dealer.

They replaced the coil but that didn't fix the problem so they had to order an ignition control unit. Bad news they had my bike 4 weeks. Good news it was covered by warranty and it fixed the problem.

 

[Hedge]

Did you check the kill switch? Yes . . . I'm still embarrassed!

 

[Lucid]

Geez, you guys really know how to talk a non-mechanical type right out of an attempt of a self fix. Now I'm worried...and Hedge, you should still be embarrassed.:wave:

 

[DandyDoug]

Lucid,

Do not be afraid to attempt a fix yourself. Most dealers have problems diagnosing the correct problem also. All the electrics are sealed up and are darn near impossible to get any info out of anyway. As with most electric problems , and that's probably what it is, you just gotta have the patience of jobe and start with one thing and go from there.

Do the simple things first, keep some notes on what you see and fixes as you go. If you have a good buddy that has a similar bike try and swap out parts for a ride. It's all direct plug in stuff and simple to do.
I would start with the air gap on the ignition pulser, you will need to replace the gasket on the cover but that's on;y a couple of $$.

You do have a Haynes manual right ?

 

[mjj338]

Why don't you simply let your dealer solve the problem while the bike is still under warranty?:cheer:

 

[Lucid]

"Why don't you simply let your dealer solve the problem while the bike is still under warranty?"--mjj338

That is exactly what I've decided to do. It's a pain in the ass to get the bike there, but, do to the fact that there are so many possibilities that could be causing the problem, I'll let them screw with it.

Everyone on the forum is very helpful, and that is much appreciated.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all, and be safe out there boys and girls.

 

[slowgator]

Dealer Dependency

And they will. Hope you get your bike back soon. Last time I let the dealer "screw with it" they had my bike for 4 weeks.