Author Topic: [Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU  (Read 1250 times)

mousejunks

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[Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU
« on: December 13, 2020, 07:09:07 AM »
I have a DT350i 2017 with 15,000km. I recently washed it with a pressure washer and for some reason I decided to aim the nozzle horizontally instead of top-down. Now, the bike cannot start and instead makes a crackling sound around the relay area and dashboard flashes when the ignition is turned on. A quick battery check shows that the voltage drops quickly from 12V to less than 6V, even before trying starting the engine (which it cannot). I suspect a short somewhere.

I am allowing it to dry for a full day and purchased a new battery. I have also sprayed contact cleaner around all the electrical connections I can see. Any ideas?
« Last Edit: January 11, 2021, 06:29:24 AM by mousejunks »
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

Kansas kymco

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2020, 08:18:29 AM »
I would suspect your correct. Bad idea to use a pressure washer, it forces water into places it shouldn't be.
In parts 200S and Grand Vista and my motorcycles 2 CS BMW'S and one GS BMW.

Sold-32 Kymco scooters of various sizes this summer.

Neil955i

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2020, 10:35:44 AM »
Hair dryer?....


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Neil

Current garage:  Kymco DTX360 & Triumph Street Triple 675R
Past bikes: BSA C15. Honda S/wing (GL500). Kawasaki GPz750. BMW K100RS. Kawasaki GPZ900R. Yamaha FJ1200 x2. Sprint. Triumph Daytona 900. Kawasaki ZX-7R. T595 Daytona. Kawasaki ZX-9R x2. Triumph Daytona 955i. X-Town

CROSSBOLT

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2020, 07:46:32 PM »
I got a fiver to bet it's a bad connection at the battery!
Karl

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Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2020, 12:54:34 AM »
Years ago I asked the forum if a LIKE200I would be a reliable all-weather scooter for my work commuting. . A respected member in the Philippines told me these Kymcos can and do handle a dozen typhoons a year.
Rain of course is one thing.....my LIKE200ILX is a frequent participant, no worries.
I do hope you get it sorted without too much difficulty.
Stig


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mousejunks

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2020, 06:55:25 AM »
Replaced the battery and let it dry for 24 hours with the front fairing and seat tub removed. Now it starts and runs again perfectly.

Now the only issue that appeared is an engine light, 4 slow blinks + 9 fast blinks = 49 = ISC error. This is confirmed by a weird ratcheting-like noise from the ISC during ignition shut-off.
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

mousejunks

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2020, 03:01:44 AM »
After the wash there is still a engine light with error codes 06, 09 and 49. I think the ECU has failed due to the electrical short/flickering so I have ordered a new one.
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

mousejunks

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Re: [Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2021, 06:30:22 AM »
Update - new ECU installed, no more engine light, all fixed. ECU was 400 AUD from eBay.
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

Kansas kymco

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Re: Washed bike, now can't start
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2021, 09:55:17 AM »
Years ago I asked the forum if a LIKE200I would be a reliable all-weather scooter for my work commuting. . A respected member in the Philippines told me these Kymcos can and do handle a dozen typhoons a year.
Rain of course is one thing.....my LIKE200ILX is a frequent participant, no worries.
I do hope you get it sorted without too much difficulty.
Stig
I know my pressure washer has enough force to cut a 2x4 in half or etch concrete. Lot of difference between a 150 mph wind and 3200 psi washer. Car wash is less psi and a fan spray but can still be damaging forcing water where it should not be if used incorrectly.
In parts 200S and Grand Vista and my motorcycles 2 CS BMW'S and one GS BMW.

Sold-32 Kymco scooters of various sizes this summer.

Kansas kymco

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Re: [Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2021, 09:56:25 AM »
Update - new ECU installed, no more engine light, all fixed. ECU was 400 AUD from eBay.
Thanks for the update.
In parts 200S and Grand Vista and my motorcycles 2 CS BMW'S and one GS BMW.

Sold-32 Kymco scooters of various sizes this summer.

Stig / Major Tom

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Re: [Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2021, 01:23:58 PM »
Update - new ECU installed, no more engine light, all fixed. ECU was 400 AUD from eBay.
$308.00 USD

Stig
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mousejunks

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Re: [Updated] Washed bike - destroyed battery and ECU
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2021, 12:47:25 AM »
My theory is that the voltage spikes from the relays rapidly cycling on/off caused the ECU to fail. It was the strange issue of the battery not having enough voltage to power the relay coils and keep them energised, leading to loss of coil power and a negative feedback cycle of the relays clicking on and off. 
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

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