KTM 990 ADV - Bike runs bad over 3000m - Help me...
 

Hi guys,

right now travelling in South America/Peru on a KTM 990 Adv. brandnew, Bike runs terrible over 3000 m and motor just stops sometimes - it is really terrible!

Any idea what I can do???

Thanks for your help.... I see every day BMWs driving by.....

Jens

I don't own a 990 and in theory the EFI should take care of this, but have you tried the low octane fuel mapping? There should be a cable under the seat which when disconnected activates the low octane mapping. Should work better with low quality fuels at altitude I would guess.

Might be a long shot this one my old 950 Carbs version had terrible trouble with Carb icing and your symptoms sound similar. Although fuel injection is not as susceptible to icing it is known to happen and can be a problem for instance on some fuel injected systems - mainly on small aircraft engines. Just something to think about and hopefully eliminate it with use of an additive - if you can get it Silkolene pro fst really works well as a fuel additive to prevent icing - whether its available out there is another question. Another thing that is common but would happen all the time not just at altitude is the contacts in the bottom of the ignition switch can with constant vibration come loose, these are in the bottom of the ignition lock on the handlebars if you take the switch apart carefully the contacts have small springs that you can stretch out a little - and put it back together this should help the contacts make good and hopefully eliminate this problem. You can also bye pass the switch altogether in the fuse box by connecting ignition, lights and aux lights (three to the right of the fuse board) with 2mm wire then connect this to acc 1 (2nd from the left fuseboard) this will bypass the ignition key connection if it is at fault. ,Good luck with it. If neither of these help put another post up and I will try to scrape the recesses of my brain to look at another cause. Also when you say it cuts out do the electrics stay on or is it like a fueling problem ? Tchus. Jake..

Hi Jens,
kennst Du das LC8 forum forum.LC8.info :: Index ?

Da sind Spezialisten die sich mit dem EFI auskennen-evtl. hatte auch ein andrerer schon das Gleiche Problem->Forensuche.

P.S. bin grad in Mancora (auch Peru)

Speaking of which ... (and no offense to the HUBB), the ADVrider folks are usually pretty good (and quick) when it comes to tech stuff, so try asking your question there.

Cable disconnected - no difference...
 

Hi guys,

yesterday we disconnected the low octan cable - no difference. Bike still runs bad... 1 KTM on a Pickup-Truck, the other one ride more or less...

Tomorrow our tour is over, but still over 600km to go - Puno to Arica

I let you know if we make it!

See you at the HU Germany or HU Italy Meeting - Jens:thumbup1:

One thing you can try is leave the bike ticking over for 20 minutes.
Sounds bizzare I know but there is a facility in the KTM injection system that after this time of ticking over and the fan being on the bike will run at the settings of temp/altitude etc etc. It resets the injection for the prevailing conditions at that moment. Hence if you have been gaining altitude slowly the injection settings will be from the last time the machine was ticking over at service time which could be the root of your problem.
It is designed for not using the bike for long periods of time and/or allowing the bike to be shipped and set up easily for different conditions.
The KTM mechanic where I get mine serviced told me this function. Worth knowing I thought.

Just throwing this out there, have you checked the air filter? also, i imagine there is an oxygen sensor, could be faulty? how do the spark plugs look, are you running lean or rich? If you don't have any luck here, post the same question in Orange Crush on ADVrider, the guy's living in Colorado might be able to help you as they are riding in the same altitude as you are now. Take care Jens, nice to hear from you.

No hope...
 

Hi guys,

we finished our trip in Arica, Chile. We tried also the 15 - 20 min. running in Neutral to adjust the injection system to the altitude, it didn´t work...

The bike overheated so much that we had to load it on a truck...

At least now I know why it is called KTM Adventure - with this bike any trip will be an adventure and you never know if you get to the place you planned to go.....

Good luck to all KTM riders!!!

Talk to your dealer if you plan trips in high altitude before...

Saludos - Jens

See you at the HU Germany and Italy Meetings:thumbup1:

Probably a failed sensor somewhere in the system. Too bad. Of all the problems with KTM's, this is one I haven't heard of much. Sorry it ruined your trip. Was this a rental bike? (If so, I'd ask for my money back on the rental!!)

On some F.I. systems you can also re-set things by disconnecting the battery, waiting 3 minutes and re-connecting. My Vstrom worked this way.

Some systems can be re-set by just turning on ignition (Not starting), then slowing twist throttle all the way to the stop and back. Turn off. Wait. Turn on, wait 2 minutes. Start. This works on some Triumphs and Hondas. Sounds wacky as Hell but some of these methods DO WORK.

On a long trip into Mexico (starting out near sea level) I headed up and up into the Sierra Madre. By around 2500 meters the bike began to run like crap. I did the battery disconnect, then waited with key on. Perfect. All good after that. (US version has no Cat Converter or Lamba sensor)

Hi again - next time maybe BMW???
 

Hi Guys,

we had two KTMs, both new! Incredible, both didn´t work...what a shame...

Next time maybe BMW??? Or Japanese???

See you at the Germany or Italy Meeting - Jens

I just joined in.
I find that it would really be interesting, as well as useful to give us an overview on the outcome of this problem, once you returned back home with those 2 problematic motorbikes.
Questions that run through my mind include:
-you still own them?
-Did you finally found what the cause of the problems was?
-was this erratic behavior of the bikes returned to normal once you climded off that high altitude and/or returned to your home/base?
-were these European or US motorbikes?
-why dont people discuss more of this, once the trip ends? :cool4:

since I am an owner (happy I believe) of one such bike, earlier model than the date your trip started, I would reeeeealy love some feedback on this case from you, or anyone, that might have followed this and knows about this case.
?c?:welcome:
Oh! ...and Thanks!

iktm, last year I rode my 990 Adv R to Marsimik-La in the Ladak area of India, 5590m with no such problem. My bike is Australian but had European mapping. The only problem I had was poor quality fuel in Indonesia when the bike wouldn't idle when hot in traffic. Once I got good fuel in Malaysia Katie ran fine again. 110 000 km on her now still a great motorcycle. I did have to change the fuel filter in Ladak as Katie started to run poorly.

Beware of KTM shops in South America!!!!
 

:oops2: 100% of my 990 Adventure problems occurred after leaving the following shops….KTM Medellin, KTM Bogota, Colombia, and KTM Lima Peru. DO NOT SEEK SERVICE AT KTM SHOPS IN SOUTH AMERICA. Your best bet is to do the forums and the work your self. You will save money, break-downs and maybe your life.
Many many stories to follow.

I look forward to your feedback.