Lack of fuel

[86zg1200]

Very first post, here. Sorry if this has been covered. Just acquired this 86 zg1200. The carbs were off of it when I got it. B***h to put back on with the air box... finally got them on. Previous owner said that the only thing wrong with the bike was the push start button. I (accidently) found that if I ground the yellow/green wire on starter relay, the push button works and the bike turns over. However it only starts on ether. Tells me it's not getting enough fuel. At first, the fuel pump would audibly click when u turn the key on. I even took the line off and pumped some gas out of the tank then put fresh gas in. Now, I unplug the fuel line and it doesn't pump any out. Unless... you turn it over. It is definitely pumping fuel when turned over. So I've tried and tried but only hits on starting fluid. Question is fuel pump or carbs? At fuel pump, red wire is hot, black and yellow is grounded, black and white will turn the bike over, and the black shows hot with a test light when turned over.. ßmetimes with just the key on, but no fuel pumping out... I hope these carbs don't have to come off!!

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Probably the pump. You can get the pump out and in without taking the carbs off. Its tight but it can be done.

[Nails]

I think you already figured it out: a screwed-up wiring-harness issue leaving the fuel pump only actually working in "start" not "run". There's a schematic here somewhere, I think that "New owners" sticky. I suggest spending some quality time with it to see how that "yellow/green" wire is supposed to work.

You can unscrew the carb float-bowl drains to see if they actually have fuel. If not, then maybe the pump isn't even getting power. (Again, I think you already figured that out.)

[cushman eagle]

The fuel pump normally only runs when the engine is turning over
On my'99,I installed a starter relay interrupt switch to disable the starter while I have the starter button pushed, so I can prime the carbs if I haven't ridden for a while.
Once the carbs are full I close the interrupt so it is back to normal operation.
The topic can be found on this forum

[86zg1200]

Got her going! The plug was messed up on the fuel pump side. I believe it was an aftermarket, because two wires pulled right out. I pulled the rest out and made it work... I did also pull the carb again I'm going to sync them next but need the proper equipment. She runs anyways, happy about that.

[cushman eagle]

Glad you found and repaired the problem