EFI model cold weather start issues
 

Hi all,

new to the forum and new to my 2010 KLX250...
It's my (currently) third bike, bought it for winter and bad weather riding.
I'm now 20 years around on (powered) bikes, so I've seen the evolution from
carbs with all manual chokes to automatic chokes to the EFI stuff we now
have to have here in Europe mostly for the emissions standards.
One good point on the EFI stuff has always been the much better starting
behavior of the bikes, hot or cold, no matter of the outside temperature.

Not on the EFI KLX. It feels like it has no enrichment circuit which depends on
the ambient and motor temperature, it never starts without throttle, it
will always stall if you do not keep it above 1500rpm manually for at
least 2 minutes, etc.
The dealer told me that the KLX is simply not built to run in this conditions
(around the freezing point).

Any ideas?


Cheers,

Michael

I would start at checking the ambient temp sensor. You need to find out how much resistance it has and see if its up to spec. You could also try unplugging it.

David

Find a dealer who knows what he is talking about.

Ron :)

I had an idea today while at work about the cold starting issue. While my idea doesn't or may apply to the EFI model, its mostly for the carb'd models. What I was thinking of is installing some kind of heating pad around the carb to pre-warm the carb before starting the engine. This way one could turn on a switch, 1minute before start-up, and start the engine easier with the OEM starter jet & choke. The idea is un-tested, so I am digging around for the materials, price, and a way to test it.

Another idea I had was to install a bicycle gear changing lever to be used to hold the choke puller at different lengths. This would give the choke adjustments to be used once the engine has started. Rather than the full-on, full-off choke thats already there. I know this idea will work, just gotta make a means to rig it on the KLX for testing.

Hi David,

That looks like a good starting point, could you tell me where to find that
sensor? Looks like I need the shop manual...


Cheers,

Michael

YES you need the shop manual. My thoughts are the computer does not think its as cold as it is. Also I have seen some folks change the resistance of the ambient temp (IAT intake air temp) sensor to get more fuel all the time.

David

My bike is the North American model and is not fuel injected, but I had trouble starting my bike after a night or more of storage especially on cold nights. I fixed this problem by running the bike with the fuel shut of until it stalled. I know which street intersection to shut the fuel off on my way home so that the bike stalls shortly after I get to my driveway. I have been doing this for the last two seasons and it has never failed, but if I forget, sure enough the next time it is hard to start.

An improved iridium spark these problems.
This model comes with some problems of dirt because of paraffin injection into the reservoir. Use a clean injectors once in the tank and also greatly improved, solving inconvenient stops at traffic lights.
Greetings!