[CJZFORCE950]

Wondering if anybody else has this issue or has any ideas before I take it in to dealer?

Hard to start if it sets over 2 days.  If only setting for a day it will start fairly easily, but if it sets for 2 days or more, it takes a couple of long cranks of about 10 sec each before it will fire up?  To me that just doesn't seem right for an EFI engine.  Anybody else experiencing this?

FYI, I have had both recalls already completed, neither helped the issue.  It was hard to start before I had the recalls fixed.  I will say after the recalls were completed it seems to idle smoother, but didn't do anything for the hard starts.

TIA

[dominicc74]

Mine has has a consistent usage pattern of 5 days in the garage and 1-2 days of use since I bought it, no issues starting it.  The first start after 5 days takes only a couple of cranks.

Perhaps check the fuel pump and fuel lines, starting with the pump.  Do you hear it start, run and stop when turning the ignition to the first position?  Not sure if there's a fuel pressure sensor, but if there is then perhaps monitor it, using the ODB2 port behind the seat under the ECU cover, when the engine starts?

[doug80638]

Is that battery on a tender for the 2 day layover?

I would give that a shot and see if it starts any better. If it does, then you've narrowed down the symptoms considerably.

[dominicc74]

Is that battery on a tender charger for the 2 day layover?

I would give that a shot and see if it starts any better. If it does, then you've narrowed down the symptoms considerably.

If it's cranking over easily for 10 seconds a time, then it's probably not the battery, otherwise it wouldn't crank easily. right?

[NMKawierider]

If a mechanically healthy engine has the fuel, ignition, compression and proper starting rotation, an EFI equiped engine should start with no delay. I would check the valve lash, then coil voltage during cranking and fuel supply pressure and volume. One is..amiss. Of course a weak or defective CPS could also cause the ECU not to fire the plugs or the injectors correctly...and cold and hot is when they like to do that.

[CJZFORCE950]

Mine has has a consistent usage pattern of 5 days in the garage and 1-2 days of use since I bought it, no issues starting it.  The first start after 5 days takes only a couple of cranks.

Perhaps check the fuel pump and fuel lines, starting with the pump.  Do you hear it start, run and stop when turning the ignition to the first position?  Not sure if there's a fuel pressure sensor, but if there is then perhaps monitor it, using the ODB2 port behind the seat under the ECU cover, when the engine starts?

I do hear the fuel pump run and stop when I turn the key on. I will hook up my OBD2 scanner and check.  SO far no engine light or any other issues on display.

[CJZFORCE950]

Is that battery on a tender for the 2 day layover?

I would give that a shot and see if it starts any better. If it does, then you've narrowed down the symptoms considerably.

I do have it on tender, motor spins over easily.  I don't believe it to be a battery issue.

[CJZFORCE950]

If a mechanically healthy engine has the fuel, ignition, compression and proper starting rotation, an EFI equiped engine should start with no delay. I would check the valve lash, then coil voltage during cranking and fuel supply pressure and volume. One is..amiss. Of course a weak or defective CPS could also cause the ECU not to fire the plugs or the injectors correctly...and cold and hot is when they like to do that.

Thanks, that's what I thought is it should start up fairly easily.  For a little more detail, I have not rode this machine much at all.  It only has 12 miles on it.  It had 4 on it when I bought it new.  It has been hard to start like this from day one.  Since it is still under warranty I will contact dealer and have it looked at.

[doug80638]

I do have it on tender, motor spins over easily.

That rules out stray voltage drains. Not sure why a 2 day wait would affect starting then.

Brand new? 12 Miles? Dealer time for sure.

[NMKawierider]

I do have it on tender, motor spins over easily.

That rules out stray voltage drains. Not sure why a 2 day wait would affect starting then.

Brand new? 12 Miles? Dealer time for sure.

Yup..take it in for sure.

[CJZFORCE950]

UPDATE.

Took it in to dealer.  They say it is the fuel pump with a bad check valve.  They are going to replace the fuel pump and put new spark plugs all under warranty.  The problem is they said it would be a week before they can get the parts in. I'll let update again once they get it fixed.

[dominicc74]

Took it in to dealer.  They say it is the fuel pump with a bad check valve.

Yeah, I guessed right first time!

[dstreeker]

Any update?
Does it start better when cold after dealer 'fix'?

[CJZFORCE950]

Yes sorry for no update in a while.  The dealership took forever to get the new fuel pump, they said the new fuel pump was sent to a different dealer in a different state so they had to order another one supposedly.  At any rate I finally got to go pick it up on Dec. 31st.  And so far it has definitely fixed the starting problem.

[c0d3man]

I know this thread is very old, and I apologize for digging it up. I have a 2022 ZF950 Gen1 with this exact problem, but here is the catch:

I have installed a $400 Optima battery in it, new spark plugs, every single relay in the fuse box is replaced, a brand new fuel pump and fuel filter, and I located every ground point on the chassis/cleaned it and applied di-electric grease.

The problem went away for a while, but it is now back. It happened to me on the trails in West Virginia about 10 miles deep in the wilderness. We pulled off to use the bathroom and grab a snack, so the machine was definitely hot. Sat for about 10 minutes and went to crank it - Took 3 key cycles to get it started and me sh*tting my pants thinking we were gonna be stranded.

By all accounts, it doesn't appear to be an electrical issue and the battery is DEFINITELY strong enough (It's an Orange Top with Optima CPR)

What it seems like to me is it's losing fuel pressure, and fast. When the issue occurs, you can hear the engine sputtering and trying to fire but it won't until enough fuel is supplied.

I had considered replacing the injectors for a while, but if it were an injector it would still fire one cylinder and just run rough as hell right?

Has the check valve failed again? Is there an upgraded or aftermarket fuel pump I can put on this thing?

I love this machine and have invested a ton of money in it - No more warranty, so I am on my own to figure this out. The parts cannon gets expensive.

Thanks