Idle problem

easy rider

easy rider

Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
185
Age
48
Location
North Wales Uk
Bike
2009 STX1300ABS
well this is my second ST1300 with idle problems the first one was throttle bodies but it looks like it could be the same problem again.
The throttle bodies have a sensor attached called TPS throttle position sensor it seems this is the cause of all evil.
The problem is you can't just swap out the sensor you have to replace the whole throttle bodies unit as one which is nice and expensive.
If the TPS sensor fails it can cause all sorts of rough running problems over fuelling and low idle and stalling.
I also read in ride magazine this month that the honda CBF1000 also suffers from engine management problems it states that the fuel injection is normally very reliable on the hondas but some customers have had problems with throttle bodies sad thing is the throttle bodies are probably fine its the sensor that is fixed to them TPS that has failed.
Some CBF1000 owners have even got hold of spare throttle bodies just in case it rears its ugly head and my ST1300 06 had the same problem as it worked perfectly for the new owner after they swapped out the throttle bodies. Now I have the same problem again so it would seem on my 09 ST1300 we shall see.
 
Unless you are receiving an FI error code, it's probably not the TPS. Does this problem happen both warm or cold? Have you checked for loose throttle body boot clamps or a leak in one of the vacuum lines?

The ST does not have a history of eating TPSs.
 
The dealer said they have noticed the idle is setting at about 500 to 700rpm on the odd occasion they have synced the throttle bodies but it seems to be doing the same low idle it has not stalled yet but I am not holding my breath.
The garage have done all the checks for leaks and loose throttle body clamps as I mentioned that to them also but all seems fine.
It really is a pain I am just fed up with it you will remember my old bike with the idle problem which did not give any error codes but was fixed with a new set of throttle bodies. That bike was traded in as I had had enough of it and now I have more problems so I hate to say it but this may well be my last honda it's such a shame it is a nice bike but I just wish it was reliable two ST1300 with idle problems from two different production years does not add up an A6 and an A8
my second A6 was finished off in an accident which was not my fault but all the same that bike worked fine with no problems my replacement was the A8 which has developed the idle issue after 10000 miles and is being very hit and miss with starting up in the mornings and evenings.

I give up not in the mood for more problem solving just one to go a year with no problems for once.

Thanks for your help my friend I appreciate everyones input over the last few years but I guess there is no point going to honda either as that did nothing for me last time either.

Thanks Martin
 
Never have seen a TPS go bad, I hear they do. The TPS on my Ducati can be set/adjusted, I haven't really looked at the ST's.

I suppose there could be a bad day on the assembly line and the TPS is not set exactly right. I wonder if it is possible to modify the TPS mounting to allow adjustment with a TPS setting tool such as the one used for the Ducati's.

My idle issues have always been traced to the damn vacum tee and lines under the throttle body.

Seem to gum up and get clogged. I have excellent compression, no blow by that I can determine, I can only surmise the crankcase fumes and perhaps the use of fuel with ethanol added exacerbates this problem.

I wonder how many ST's really suffer, Of all that have been built it would seem a rare occurence based on what I read on this forum.
 
Since the same thing happened to both of your ST's, and since it appears to be a rare issue, could it possibility be related to something you did?
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Did the dealer try adjusting the warm idle setting? The screw easily accessed just foreword of the right cylinder head. Might be as simple as that?
 
I asked myself the same question is it me but all i do is put unleaded petrol in the thing start it and go the rest I leave to the dealer.
But yes I have thought about that tried it again tonight the idle is holding at 500rpm and yes tried the idle adjust as did my dealer and when you adjust it up then it idles to high when you ride knock it back to set at 1000rpm and then it just drops to 800rpm or below and sometimes it idles that low it shakes and stalls out its weird.
I am eyeing up a BMW K1200 GT SE at my honda dealer it has 5175 miles on the clock its a 57 plate and is about ?9595 may end up trading in yet as my luck with the ST1300 has not been good my insurance is a straight swap just ?40 admin to pay.
I have given honda a good go but it is starting to be a regular thing visiting the dealer I mean I like the guys but I don't want to see them unless its for a service and the past three years have been hell you only have to look back at my old posts to feel my pain I just want to ride.
 
Don't know how wise it would be to trade it at the dealer that knows it has a problem.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
I inadvertently posted private reply to easy rider regarding idle problem. I just purchased my new 2010 ST1300 this past weekend. Traded in an 08 Wing to something different. Maybe a mistake. I am having the exact same problem as easy rider describes. Thought it was me coming from an 1800 to a 1300. Concerned now I spent alot of bucks for a bike that may have inherent manufacturer problems.
 
yes man
I have sent a private message back to you but yes my running problem's are still there though it is running but when you start it up sometimes it has a very low idle and shakes until it stalls I give up its not me there is something not quite right here two ST1300 with stalling my old one was throttle bodies which was why there was no error code.
These things are great when they work but when they go wrong even the mechanics get worried as trouble shooting is not easy.
There are so many things that can cause poor idle and stalling.

Good luck my friend mine is an A8 and my older A6 also had the same problem but my A8 does not seem as bad as it is not over fuelling.

Let us know how you get on with yours I am interested to see how you get on
 
If it runs fine off idle then the TPS is not the problem.

If it's simply dropping one or two cylinders when left to idle, I'd be looking at ignition/spark plug issues or possibly even fuel pressure.
 
why can't the dealers come up with solutions like that don't get me wrong love the bike just very frustrated with the problems.
I should not be having problems with a bike that is not even two years old and costs more than most cars.

I just feel like I have been done twice over with no solution but to ride it like this until it fails all together and only then will honda attempt to find a solution so I do not enjoy my ride like I used to never know how its going to start up.
Tonight it started up and idled at 500rpm once I got going it settled at 800 - 900rpm and then at 1000rpm after a good run.
After the throttle bodies sync it at least fast idles in the morning now as I was lucky if it did that it would mostly choke up and die unless given help from the throttle.

I am not sure what to do stick with it or trade in for a BMW K1200GT SE 58 PLATE with low miles my heart is torn and to be fair I have spent a fortune on bike's only to have them let me down most upset I would love to get past my 16000 mile service with at least one bike without having trouble.

My honda silver wing had poor starting problems
My honda deauville 700 had a broken fuel gauge right out of its crate
followed by rust and sticky brake lights after 7000 miles
MY VFR had starting problems expensive bike
My first ST1300 with failed throttle bodies confirmed lasted a year before over fuelling backfiring and stalling.
My second ST1300 kept cutting out due to the honda alarm which was an easy fix unplug the alarm immobiliser sorted apart from the fact a car drove into the side of me and trashed it that was not hondas fault but it was pretty close the guy who hit me was driving a toyota.
My third ST1300 and current has minor idle problems stalling low idle and I am at my wits end.

Sorry guys I bet I sound like a right misery but I am sure you would feel the same.
 
easy rider said:
Tonight it started up and idled at 500rpm once I got going it settled at 800 - 900rpm and then at 1000rpm after a good run.
Click to expand...


"Settled in at 800-900 rpm"...sounds like your hot Idle Speed is set a bit too low.

I experienced similar problems, including stalling, in 2008 which went away after setting the idle speed adjustment higher so that it normally settles in around 1000-1100rpm with engine hot and fans operating (and occasionally drops down to 900-1000 rpm). Not saying that this is a fix for you but, having read the adjustment problems you mention in post #7, might be worth another try to definitely eliminate this as a possible cause. I found the idle adjustment to be very finicky, and it took a number of tries to get it right. Good luck.
 
Sounds like you have Gremlins in your neighborhood.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Well after my throttle body sync this is how my bike is now.

start up in the morning about 21 degrees c and it starts with a reasonably normal fast idle around 2000rpm and warms up and as soon as it gets to one bar on the temperature gauge it idles at about 800 - 900rpm once you get going it settles at about 1000rpm.
Before this most mornings it would struggle to fast idle and stall and some mornings it would hold really low 300 to 500 rpm.

So we shall see how it goes not sure what is normal anymore there is no point adjusting the hot idle any higher as once you get going it settles at 1000rpm any higher and it will be to high.
The bike does sound like its missing a beat at idle you can hear it and its as if its trying to find the idle point the needle moves back and forth trying to settle
Problem is when the bike has been run and left and you come back to it and it is reasonably warm it will start and idle at about 500 + rpm and come up to normal when you ride so do I need stop worrying now and just ride until there is a major problem.

The dealer has done all the normal checks and it is going in for a 12000 mile service soon so I will put in a new air filter and some fresh spark plugs can't hurt to rule them out but to be fair it has improved a bit just not ticking over like my old red ST1300 used to do.

It reminds me of an ST1300 I had where the alarm immobiliser would upset the ignition current and lower the idle and stall the bike on occasion but it is not this on this occasion but may be wire related just not sure just have to ride it out I guess as with no diagnosis honda not will give a part a lot of dealer do struggle with this bike when things go wrong the fault finding is not easy.
 
This is really messed up someone at my partners work has an ST1300 and his bike also has a bad idle problem and a DVLA honda deauville NT 700 in liverpool is having a throttle body assembly replaced as it is also having low idle problems and is not showing anything with the usual checks it had taken 7 weeks to get the throttle body assembly but it is back on road now and running fine.
So is honda hiding something here it has to be TPS playing up what else can be wrong with the assembly.
My old ST1300 had lots of parts replaced ignition coil wire harness plugs filters and in the end the throttle body assembly which indeed did fix the problems.
Now I have another ST1300 with low idle where will it end.
I refuse to pay out more money on bikes now honda are having a laugh these things can't get past two years without going wrong such a shame for such a nice bike to have problems like this and I have to ride until it goes wrong in a big way not getting the power of dreams no more
The throttle body sync has improved my bike but it is still not right the idle is low and stutters.
We have fuel we have compression we have spark and diagnostics are clear what else can we look for its driving me mad the dealer is scratching his head.
Car's are reliable and bikes need to get better in a big way
 
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