Hey guys, I have a 2006 f4i that won’t start.

I am in so cal and in previous winters I’ve done a decent job at starting it up and riding it in the ‘colder’ months. This winter, I’ve been much busier, which, paired with all the rain we have gotten, I haven’t ridden it since probably October.

I’ve started it maybe two or three times this winter, with the second two times the battery being dead and me having to pop the clutch down a hill, but it started each time.

This weekend, I tried again, but it won’t start, the battery appears totally dead, and when I try popping the clutch, it will run intermittently at low rpm’s but it won’t catch and stay started and as soon as I let the clutch out it dies again.

I’ve always been able to get a vehicle running with a completely dead battery by popping the clutch.

Any ideas what I should do?

I appreciate any advice.

 

I don't believe an F4I will run at idle on alternator power alone - If I remember you need around 1500rpm.

First thing I would try is jump it to a good battery and see if it behaves any better - if it does, you know your answer.

 

Charging starts around 3000 if I was informed correctly. You probably won't get enough power bump starting it to keep what's needed to keep things going because of the much smaller size and capabilities
Charge it for 8-10 then try again.

 

Also dump out all petrol from tank.
Replace with fresh 87-oct gas (much easier to ignite than higher oct)
Add 1/2 bottle of PEA-based fuel-system cleaner:

- Red Line SI-1
- Techron Concentrate Plus
- 3M Max Strength Fuel System Cleaner #08814
- Royal Purple Max Atomizer 18000
- Gumout All-in-One (might be off list soon due to lowering amounts of PEA)