Want to buy it but it won't start.

[CoLa]

I have found the bike I want to buy but can't get the thing to start.

It is a 99 ultra classic with only 235 miles on it. It has always been garage kept and the last 2 years it has lived in an inflatable bubble with a battery tender on it.

The present owner said he used to start it regularly until he put it in the bubble but it was running when he put it in there.

I would love to buy the bike as it is in mint condition but if I can't get the thing to run it puts a damper on it.

It is fuel injected but when I turn the ignition I don't hear the fuel pump purr at all. I can get it to start by using starting fluid, and it will run as long as I keep spraying. It seems the fuel pump just isn't working and its not getting fuel. Is it possible for a bike with such little use could have the fuel pump die just sitting there?

I have checked the fuses on the left side rear compartment. They all looked fine. Are there other fuses? Is there a fuel shut off I don't know about? Any help would be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.

[ironhead bobber]

try draining the gas, clean the pump pick-up, put in fresh gas and try it again

[Jacket4256]

Originally Posted by ironhead bobber

try draining the gas, clean the pump pick-up, put in fresh gas and try it again

what he said plus check the voltage on the pump see if its getting power and or current may be bad, all kinds of stuff can g o wrong letting something sit

[RubberDown]

Yep, I'd quit spraying that starter fluid in it also.

Make sure your getting voltage to the fuel pump. Pull the tank drain and clean EVERYTHING. Check the fuel pump. Put in fresh gas. Listen for the pump. If it does not come on, do not spray in starter fluid. YOU will not prime the system with starter fluid. Until you fix the reason for the pump not coming on, it's not going to run.

[CoLa]

I appreciate your replies and quick too.

I forgot to add I have drained all the gas and replaced it with fresh fuel. Same results. I realize this could be a number of things. I just have a lot of time in front of the computer today at work and have read all I can on it so I thought I'd shoot out to you all for some input.

I realize that without the pump working its not going to run. The starter fluid was used once to see if it would even turn over.

I will next check the voltage on the pump as it seems the problem is there.

I hear ya on letting things sit can be harder on them than running them.

Again thanks for the input..

[Tourin23]

Check the fuel pump fuse as they seem to blow from too much amperage getting to it.
Have had fuel pump fuses blow on an '02 Ultra at 22K, 38K, and now twice at 46K. Replacing fuses the first 2 times worked fine. The last 20 times the bottom of the fuse pin had some melted black plastic on it. This time, we're having the whole module replaced.

[vlade]

Easy enough for a pump itself to get gunked up or stuck valved sitting around all that time. Id check any vac lines for old age cracks too. Heck the injectors could be froze up with junk in em too.

[vegaspete61]

Just because it was on a battery tender does not mean the battery is still good. 2 years is a long time on a tender. I would try a new battery. The gas in the tank is probably stale but will still be good enough to start the bike.

[RubberDown]

If the guy who has it, didn't use something like Sta-Bil in the fuel, then Vlade is right. The pump and injectors could be gummed up. If you have voltage to the pump then I would pull it, clean it, apply 12v to it and see if it'll run off of the bike. If it does put it back on a try it. If not replace it.

And listen to V-Pete. Take the battery out and got have it tested.

[Blackdog 15]

No starting fluid unless you want to retrieve your heads from the next county...Have the battery load tested,,,fuel injected needs around 10.5 volts minimum...but at a 99 scoot are you carbed or injected, correct ? could easily be bad gas, bad connection on wiring from sitting...I'd drain it...clean out All the fuel...