My Zx400 does not want to start

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Renier
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:20 pm
My Bike: ZX400

My Zx400 does not want to start

Post by Renier »

Hi guys,

Thanks for the great read on the site.

I have a ZX400 '89 Model, it does not want to start, ive checked the coils, cleaned the carbs, replaced the spark plugs, checked the wiring.

The engine turns, but it does not start.
I have tried a manual start with petrol down the carb, still no luck.

Please can you help.

Regards
thomp1983
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:21 pm
My Bike: zxr 400 l3

Re: My Zx400 does not want to start

Post by thomp1983 »

only 3 things you require so check and double check them,

1, a good strong spark
2, fuel
3, a high enough level of compression

to check,

1, remove a spark plug, attach the ht lead to it and lay the threaded part of the spark plug against a nice clean bolt on the engine or frame, press the starter button and see if you get a nice spark

2, check in tank or use small amounts of easy start/carb cleaner down the bores. also check the fuel tap is turned on

3, get a compression tester, run a compression test then compare the results to those in the manual

carry out all 3 of the above and post up the results here and we'll see if we can help

chris
Last edited by thomp1983 on Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RedexRobB
Site Admin
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Posts: 7212
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 7:37 pm
My Bike: ZXR400L3
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Re: My Zx400 does not want to start

Post by RedexRobB »

thomp1983 wrote:only 3 things you require so check and double check them,

1, a good strong spark
2, fuel
3, a high enough level of compression

to check,

1, remove a spark plug, attach the ht lead to it and lay the threaded part of the spark plug against a nice clean bolt on the engine or frame, press the starter button and see if you get a nice spark

2, check in tank or use small amounts of easy start/carb cleaner down the bores

3, get a compression tester, run a compression test then compare the results to those in the manual

carry out all 3 of the above and post up the results here and we'll see if we can help

chris
Great post!
richr
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:48 pm
My Bike: zxr 400

Re: My Zx400 does not want to start

Post by richr »

Would of loved to see cargo,s reply :smt003
hiluxs
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:42 pm
My Bike: Kawasaki ZX4

Re: My Zx400 does not want to start

Post by hiluxs »

Hi, there from a newbie...

Had the same problem with my '89 ZX after restoring the body work - I found that the stator lead had been routed strangely - re-routed and it started almost immediately and hasn't failed since...Hope this helps... :smt006
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