KTM 390 Adventure Stalling Issue SOLVED!
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- If you're experiencing a stalling issue with your KTM 390 Adventure, or the Duke or RC models, where the bike stalls when the throttle is opened, or just while idling, I may have the solution for you.
There does seem to be other stalling issues with the 390s that happen more consistently, but this issue started small and soon meant the bike couldn't be ridden at all, setting it apart from the more random occurences that seem linked to other problems.
Anyway check out the video for my solution!
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motojournokris...
Put silicone grease on the top area of the sparkplug and / or inside the rubber boot. This will stop any moisture entering. This is commonly done on offroad & street bikes and cars, gas generators,...
Great tip, thanks!
@@MotoJournoKris Silicone grease often is also called dielectric grease.
@@human1513 Got it, the same stuff that is used on electric plugs and similar on the loom, right? Need to get some for the toolkit as that's useful to have on hand.
No better feeling than replacing one cheap part and having a serious problem completely disappear. Big win
Exactly!
Actually, since I started starting the bike without waiting for the 5 seconds recommended by the maintenance booklet, I have repeatedly experienced the engine stall while downshifting. Waiting 10 seconds with the electrical panel on, everything runs smoothly. A thousand thank.
I've seen a few people who found that make a big difference for some reason.
With all Turbocharged Vehicles, it is suggested to wait 10 seconds before driving, and after parking to wait another ten seconds so the oil can be where it needs to be.
Good to hear it's a problem relatively easily sorted. Still opt for a CB500X.
That's definitely an advantage with the big four!
Honda motorcycles are 100% reliable and dependable!
I’ve had 6 KTMs over the past few years. 3 x 390s, 1 x 790 and 2 x 690s. Only one of these bikes had the intermittent stalling issue. I would say they are very reliable bikes from my experience. The bike with the stalling issue was a 2015 Gen 1 Duke 390. I replaced the stator and that seemed to fix it. This is a good video. From the colour of your spark plug it appears to be running very lean. Have you thought about a fuel controller to richen up the mixture? Otherwise your issue may return.
That'll probably be the next thing on the list, depending how we go. They're meant to be much more reliable now.
Thanks for an informative post. Hoping I never see this but at least I'll know where to start.
I had an identical issue in the initial days of ownership. Not at idle in neutral but while changing gears, typically 1 at to 2nd, in traffic and if I was a bit careless in keeping the revs up. Yes, absolutely nowhere as bad as my earlier BMW 310 GS. That was a terrible bike in this area.
Then, I changed the spark plug to an Iridium one. Major difference in the stalling issue. Its frequency reduced to about half of what it had been pre change.
Next was the FuelX Pro device which didn't seem to make a major difference in the stalling but made the bike really smooth especially from map 7onwards and at expressway speeds of 100 to 100 kph.
The clutch sensor was the last replacement. My dealer told me that a major reason for the stalling was the calibration of the existing clutch sensor and that it was a free replacement.
Just finished a 4500 km ride to the western border of India. Mundra, Barmer, Munabao, Jaisalmer, Tanot, Longewala, Jodhpur and Jaipur. The bike didn't start (edit: STALL) ONCE on its own. Not even once.
The solution may have been the plug or the sensor or the FuelX Pro device individually or in combination. But I am very happy that the issue is gone. Even if it comes up once in a blue moon, that's ok.
It's not fun worrying about stalling constantly, that's for sure! Interesting that the clutch sensor was replaced though, did they give any more info on that?
Thank you Kris. What you described is almost to a T what we’ve been going through with the Vitpilen 401. Granted it doesn’t happen all that often, but when it does it’s quite disconcerting. Although now I’ll be looking into that spark plug. Again thank you, your videos have been proving to be quite helpful.
Hopefully that solves your issue, it's a nice relatively simple fix if so!
I purchased one when it first came out and I read about all the issues people were having so I sold it with around 500km on the dial. May have dodged a bullet. First and last KTM/Husky for me. I’m sticking to the big 4. Thanks for the video.
They seem to have ironed out many of the earlier issues, but they definitely have a bit of a rep for issues.
@@theaustralianconundrum Damn that's terrible, hope you get your money back, that should not happen!
@@theaustralianconundrum It can happen, I worked for a Volkswagen dealer and one of our customers once got a Golf friday in the afternoon, 45 minutes later and 46 kilometers ridden he called us... Engine blown up... A normally very reliable TDI diesel engine. As long as they fix this properly I see no drama.
Thanks for the video. I have the same problem with my 2015 duke 390. It stalled few times during my last ride (it was longer than the usual ride and it was really hot outside). First time stalled while downshifting 3->2, and after that few more times. Nasty experience...I will start with the plug first, hope it will work 🍻
Hopefully that fixes it for you, as it's one of the easier/cheaper solutions!
Northern Wisconsin in the US, snowmobiles (2-strokes) were notorious for this, especially the spark plugs you get new from the factory. Some say it's break in oil, some say it's a mass of cheap spark plugs from the lowest bidder to the manufacturer?
Interesting! I'd heard cheap spark plugs too, which wouldn't surprise me. I guess if the issue quickly returns even with a newer/better quality spark plug we can possibly take that off the list.
Cheers mate. Thanks for the tip...
I’ve had a lot experience with these bikes. You can do every fix there is and your still gonna have it happen once in a blue moon. I can go weeks now without it but it will still happen if you don’t ride the throttle the way this bike likes it to be.
Did you even watch the video?
@@MotoJournoKris uhhyeah ? I know you said all this. You realize comments are not speaking directly to you right ? Lol. Just a general statement.
@@MotoJournoKris and when I re read what I said I’m more puzzled as to why you would say that.
@@SticksAandstonesBozo Intermittent stalling that you're describing seems like a different issue, than not being able to use the bike at all because it won't idle for any length of time and cracking the throttle stalls it every time. Something that was fixed. Hence asking if you'd watched the video. Seemed like a response to the title, not the video.
This issue have been fixed by different people in different ways including doing a valve adjustment. I teally like the bike and it seems all the issues are relatively easy fixes but i may not hav enough tike to do wrenching.
If you're not mechanically minded and you've bought a new bike, it should be sorted under warranty, if issues crop up. It helps doing a bit of research to know what common issues are, and maybe even testing some simpler solutions though. It's much better to be in informed consumer in that situation.
@@MotoJournoKris i agree and honestly i do not mind the wrenching most of the time. Its just having kids etc makes my schedule hard. I like the bike a lot and even with some of the issues most owners still love them. Its a great alternative to the jap bikes and there are some around 2 years old at a bit over 5k. Very tempting ...
My new Iridium spark plug had a hairline crack on the boot side.. so I got about 100 metres down the road to work and suddenly bike died every time I stopped or idled under 4k rpm.. not sure whether to be happy or sad but whatever least the engine isn't dead
On the one hand, incredibly annoying. On the other hand, at least a simple/cheap fix! I wouldn't even have thought to check the new plug to be honest. Did it take you long to figure out the issue? I had a cracked intake manifold on my 675 years ago and it took a very very long time to figure out the issue.
Hello Chris, I have a 390 adventure MY2020 with 31K km and after 5min ride I always get the message ECU FAILURE. Do you have any idea about this problem?
Haven't had that one personally, but I've heard of a few people who had that issue due to battery or battery connection issues. Not sure I can be much more help than that unfortunately!
Interesting! I recently got a 2022 KTM 390 Adventure. I had similar issues the day I rode it home new off the lot. It would never stay started on the first try. I had a 2019 KTM 390 Duke with 12000 miles and the original battery. The Duke always started on the first try and stayed started. Not the case with the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure. According to KTM-America ( and the owners manual) It is normal for the KTM 390 Adventure not to start and stay started on the first try, and can take up to 6 tries!!!. I had a Honda before and never had any issues what so ever. Considering the price point difference, you would think KTM's would be flawless.
Yep, it's quite strange. I've got a 401 Svarptilen too and never had a starting issue with that, which you think would be very similar/the same. The ADV does run a slightly different tune, so that may be it, but I would say most modern EFI bikes should start first try, and have no issues whatsoever.
I buy mine 2 years ago after 600 miles it start staling only on cold engine and usually in the morning sometimes up to four times after that it will run perfectly fine to the dealer and they update computer and from that point till now I did 7000 miles with no problem but now the problem start again it just happened to me once so far I will see how that goes
@@thomaskurek3524 Definitely worth keeping an eye on, could be a one off, if it becomes more regular, it's probably worth exploring.
My 22 has always taken 4 starts before it stays running. Tried iridium plug and fuel x but no difference. Tried recycling key/ pump, waiting longer between restarts but no luck.
Been more than 35k kms on this bike. i have tried a lot of things to fix the stalling issue in the last 2.5 years.
Final solution that works for me is getting throttle body cleaned and getting rid of all the carbon deposit every 1.5 - 2k kms
But i will surely try replacing the spark plug as well, thanks.
I'd hear the throttle body clean helped a lot of people who had more intermittent issues. At least the spark plug is an easy/cheap thing to attempt, at probably $30-40 and an hour or two.
@@MotoJournoKris Completely agree with you bro, will surely try that out at the time of next service.
Same here, throttle body cleaning for me was the way to go every 3k kms to clear the stalling issues. I have now found it easier to clean by directly spraying a carburettor/injector or a throttle body cleaner while engine is off for few seconds.
You are now an official KTM owner.
You shall now respond to ‘KTM’s are unreliable’ with outrage … followed by an endless list of niggles, gripes, warranty issues, and tips for making various features work properly
Haha, there's no such thing as unreliable, only character!
Am I doing it right?!?
Glad to hear I'm not alone!
I heard that KTMs does stall. And it also gives a tremendous amount of heat that riders can feel even with gear.
I didn't find heat a big issue to be honest. The fan was running quite a bit when we did slow technical training style stuff in a car park with lots of stops, but I also haven't spent hours stuck in traffic, where that might be more of an issue.
Wonder if a hotter spark plug might help? Seems my son's Duke 390 uses some oil (burns). He just had his first hard cold start and a couple of hot stalls today after 4+ years owning the bike.
I'd heard the original spark plugs are a bit on the cheap side. Four years is a good amount of time with no issues though.
was that the 'break in ' spark plug by any chance?
That one came in the bike, so yep.
Hi Kris, I am in France and I have a stalling issue with my KTM 390 Adventure MY23, with hot engine conditions and at low speed/rev. So I understand I should have the spark plug replaced to set this issue ? Thanks, CHRISTOPHER
I'd definitely try that, as it's a fairly cheap and easy solution, especially if you've got the tools to do it yourself. I did need to buy a socket for the spark plug as it's narrow and deep. I also checked for crimped fuel lines under the tank. If that doesn't work there's more options to explore, but it seemed a good place to start, as a spark plug won't set you back much. A '23 should also be under warranty, so you could chase up the dealer too to get it sorted. I like going over the simple DIY solutions first normally.
@@MotoJournoKris Hi Kris, The spark plug was replaced by the dealer with a NGK IRIDIUM LKAR8AI9. Since the engine runs better, no stalling.
Interesting topic. Looks like problem solved for now. Based on the Spark Plug coloration, the bike is running extremely lean, meaning the problem will return if nothing is done to richen up the air/fuel mixture.
Yea, it's totally stock as far as performance, so you'd think you wouldn't need to invest in a piggyback/tuner mod just to richen it up a little, but that seems to be a popular option that many swear by.
not the case here as you're still on stock, but I did have a dealer tell me yesterday say that if you go for an after market exhaust you'll likely burn the spark plug and/or it will run too lean.
@@nomading_in Makes sense, being so lean already!
Yeah right you weren't kidding, glad mine didnt do this, such a fun bike shame she has had to deal with this from new, glad you got it rollin correctly will keep this in mind
I got my 401 and never had an issue like this thankfully. It's always hard to tell how common these things are too, looking at people with issues vs the thousands of bike sold.
2 questions please. 1, did it throw any check engine lights and 2, would disabling the quickshift help diagnose to see if it was a clutch issue?
No check engine light. It was solved by the spark plug, so it's safe to say that was the issue here. What kind of clutch issue are you trying to diagnose by removing the quickshifter from the equation?
@@MotoJournoKris the only mechanical problem I've had prior to this was occasionally while driving fast, the quick shift would fail to engage 6th gear. I'm not sure of the mechanics involved with the quick shifter, just thought maybe something was up with that, like the way a kickstand shut off can engage over bumps. I drained the gas today and replaced it, test drive, still running rough. It runs better with cold engine, after it warms is when it begins. I will put the plug in soon as I can.
Thanks for helping
I just bought a brand new 2023 duke 390 today and on the way home the bike stalled 4 times when I was gearing down and coming to a slow stop. The bike only has 24ks, I’ll try call ktm and let them know what I’m experiencing with the bike
With the 390 and 401 I've found it really helps to try and keep the revs up coming to a stop, either keeping the engine more loaded and engine braking to a stop at higher revs, or just adding a little throttle onto the clutch. But it could be this issue too!
@@MotoJournoKris I’ll give it a try 👍🏽👍🏽
Any updates?@@tenaki8
How is it now, is stalling gone or it came back?
Still running with no issues so far!
Checked battery fuel line and battery still no dice still stalling
That's what I did first, then the spark plug was next and solved it. Have you tried that yet?
Bro, it hapenned to me in all the models. 390, 890 & 1290. I was assumed that was "ktm pedigree", like screaming brakes.... I will change it tomorrow 😅😅
Haha give it a go, hopefully it solves the issue for you! They do seem to be fueled very lean too.
Pablo is the problem solved?
WHAT IS THE SPARK PLUG NUMBER FOR THE IRIDIUM TYPE
This is what I ordered from what I remember: NGK LKAR8AI9 Iridium Spark plug
I just searched to see what fit and people recommended before ordering from memory.
All over UA-cam I hear of KTM Problems, I’m so glad I never got turned on to this Manufacturer 👎👎👎
Yea depending who you ask they are the best, or the most unreliable! At least this is a minor issues once we figured it out.
My 2022 RC390 would stall randomly on close throttle (slow down, stop, setting up for tuns), my dealer can't get rid of it. Anyone has similar situation?
If it's not solved by a spark plug switch, some riders seem to have success with a piggyback model to richen the mixture, as it's quite lean from what I've heard.
@@MotoJournoKris Thanks. my next service is coming up. I'll see if sparkplugs are at the issue here. And I might try the FuelX too.
Let us know how you go!@@motojc
@@motojc did u fixed the issue? If yes how? Thanks in advance.
@@laplim7992 I actually forgot if it was fixed or not😂 I left the country and the bike for over half a year now. I did not get a chance to do the service before I left. I sort of remember this becoming less of an issue the last few weeks as I ride the bike harder. The mechanic gave me an explanation, but I forgot now what it was. I’ll txt him and get back to you. Funny thing is, my other bike where I am now also started to develop a problem of not being able to idle. We have pin pointed to a part and I’m waiting for the new part. If it fixes the problem I’ll ask my KTM guy if this might fix the 390. It feels like different problems though. He’s blaming it on a clutch and close throttle combo technique I was using as I remember a little now. Will ask him and get back to you.
Any cold start stalling issues? Mine takes 2-3 times to start
Not since we did this, but it's only starting to get a bit colder now, and rarely hits zero (celsius) here.
@@MotoJournoKris mine has 320 2022 miles and not even a week since i bought it. But it stalls during the first try everyday.....
Go back to the dealer and they will fix it. I have same issue when they hit over 600 miles. It start stalling only on the cold engine. Sometimes up to four times and then will it run perfectly. The dealer say they just update the computer and then after that I did 7000 miles with no issues till now it’s start again and they have one month left of warranty so I’m going back hopefully they can fix it looks like the same problem, so there was nothing wrong mechanically they just have to reprogram
@@thomaskurek3524 it is already there. One full week already....
@@thomaskurek3524 how long did it take for the dealer to fix it? I am concerned that it will remain there over a month.
Six minutes talking for a spak plug?
What's a 'spak plug'?
No offense but he makes a fair point. Left me on the edge of my couch for a good while waiting like "So you changed the spark plug.. and then???"
Either way, good of you to get this info out there.
To compile a list of stall reasons people have had:
1- spark plug fault
2- valve clearance needing adjustment
3- dirty air filter/ oil in air filter box from pcv system
4- clutch sensor error
5- kickstand sensor error
6- running too lean in general
It looks like a Lot of things can easily stall this bike.