1998 FZR 600 Fuel Pump Not Pumping When Bike Tries to Start

[sbm12]

I have a 1998 FZR 600 that doesn't seem to be getting fuel to start. The bike starts just fine with starter fluid. I tested both the fuel pump and fuel pump relay on the battery and both making noise when connected. My buddy and I tested the wire connecting to the fuel pump by turning on the bike and cranking on the starter and we found the connection had 12V by using a multimeter. The fuel pump obviously works and it seems to be getting juice from the connection, but it doesn't seem to be pumping gas when the bike tries to start. I read somewhere it could possibly be the TCI/CDI, but I'm not sure how to test that...I'd like to point out that I'm an amateur when it comes to bikes and would appreciate any advise.

Thank you!

[DonTZ125]

The FZR doesn't actually need the pump to run, so long as there is sufficient fuel in the tank. The bottom of the tank is low enough that the fuel won't flow by gravity alone once the level has dropped past a certain point.

With the ignition off, disconnect the 6-way plug on the TCI. Jump the lower-middle wire to the black wire. Turn the key and kill switches on; the pump should operate. If it doesn't, the TCI isn't the issue.

I actually suspect your issue is fouled idle and/or starter jets, or worn / ruptured starter plunger gaskets. You ARE using the starter / choke lever, correct?

[sbm12]

Yes, I tried using the starter and choke together. The bike runs fine using starter fluid.

Thank you! I will try the TCI testing steps tonight.

[sbm12]

So the fuel pump still doesn't make any noise (remember it does when connected to the battery) when I connected the blue/black wire to the black wire of the 6-pin TCI connector and tried to crank on the starter (I didn't use the choke but shouldn't the fuel pump at least turn on?). I guess I'd like to know what dictates whether the fuel pump switches on so I can determine where the source of the problem is.

[TomcatMJ]

The Fuelpump gets its power via a relais...at the 400 3BF this is located directly near the left ignitioncoil. If this Relais is defective your fuelpump won't get any electric power, even when the pump itself is ok. Maybe worth a check if that relais is still ok or if its hanging somehow...another thing worth to check is the isolation of the wire to the fuelpump, sometimes its not properly mounted but lying around somewhere on the motorblock and there it might get a bit to warm and loose its flexibility up to an isolationbreak (as a result of permanently getting heated) and then there might be a little short-circuit hiding in the dark..but easily fixable with a little tape...