Damn! Another start-up thread!

[Cesare57]

Alright gang, so I was reading the comments on a GT vid and saw where one guy stressed the necessity of waiting for the yellow light (the one that blinks when the bike's off) to go off before hitting the starter. He said he used to work for Ducati, and that if you don't do this, your bike will idle poorly, run poorly, get lousy mileage, foul your plugs, clog your injectors, and probably end civilization as we know it.

He didn't explain why, or what the light going off signifies. I saw in another thread where one or two guys practiced this too after being told by someone this was a good idea, but again, no explanation why this was a good idea. I realize the owner's manual isn't the greatest, but wouldn't you think it would mention this if it was so vital to engine health?

Anyone here have the definitive mechanical low-down on the yellow light conundrum?

[papawheelie]

it is the computer going through a check list. I'm sure other guys here can give you more info about what is being checked, but it is like when you boot up your computer.

[Z-Neko]

Originally Posted by papawheelie

it is the computer going through a check list. I'm sure other guys here can give you more info about what is being checked, but it is like when you boot up your computer.

+1

[bshadbolt]

As far as I understand it, the system does a diagnostic test and it is generally not advisable to start the bike before the test is complete.

I always wait for the yellow light to go out - and do the same for other vehicles. Cars often have similar arrangements, with an engine light staying on for a few seconds when the ignition is turned on.

I have no idea if the system is calibrating anything during the start-up test or simply doing a self-diagnostic test. If the latter then I can't see why idling or mileage would be affected, if the former, then it could have a material effect on performance.

Cheers,

Brett

[MajorSoftie]

My dealer told me to wait. He did not, however, say what happens if you don't.

[geospencer]

Originally Posted by MajorSoftie

My dealer told me to wait. He did not, however, say what happens if you don't.

Do you remember Mission Impossible and how the tape would self-destruct at the beginning of the show?

You ought to sit around and wait for a BMW to go through its diagnostic test. It takes forever.

[tsmgguy]

Had no idea that this could be an issue. I've paid no attention to the status of the engine immobilizer light at engine starts and have had no problem.

What does this light tell us when the bike is shut down? That the immobilizer is active, and less than 24 hours has elapsed since the last shut down. Don't know what immobilizes the immobilizer, though. Is it just the act of turning the key, or is some time involved as well?

My dealer told me not to hit the start button until the tach and speedo needles had finished their pre-start "sweep". That, I've done.

[Prem]

Have any of you guys ever started a diesel engine?

[debby]

Originally Posted by geospencer

Do you remember Mission Impossible and how the tape would self-destruct at the beginning of the show?

Ok, we need a volunteer. Who wants to step up, turn the key, hit the starter, and report back what happens? POST (that's Power On Self Test to you non-engineers) be damned!

Debby
ps - not me, I've seen what happens on those MI shows!

[dietrichpfeifer]

Well...I've got a very selective and short term memory, plus I don't trust many sales people. So even if they tell me to wait for the gauge sweep, or light to go out, I've never done it. I start it as soon as I can get my hand from the key switch to the start button. Sometimes a guy needs to make a hasty retreat, ya know? No self-destructing in over 3 years.