Another Ignition Failure

[ponyfool]

I left NAFO for a wonderful 400 mile ride with no problems, I get off the interstate in the middle of f*cking nowhere to get gas, fill up, get on bike to go, NOTHING.

I'm doing searches now to remember how to bypass the ignition before it gets dark.

F*CK I'm pissed. Yamaha had better stand up and do the right thing on this. This is pathetic.

In the meantime, I have found that I need to connect the red and brown wires to get power. What do I do with the other two wires?

 

[Jagermeister]

Scott,

Here's DCarver's fix w/ Pics: Clicky

IF I'm reading it correctly, the remaining two wires are left alone, just turn the bike on, after the Red wire is jumped.

Hope you get back to base before dark!

 

[Niehart]

Just wire big to big & small to small. Small one you can leave contected.

 

[ponyfool]

After posting this message, I went out to the bike and did a crude hot wire getting it running. Then I rode to my destination where I didn't have cell service, thus, didn't have internet access to post results.

This morning, I went to a local hardware store, picked up a simple switch and connected the ignition wires to it. Now I have an easy way to get the bike running, but then, so does everyone else!!!! I'm really grateful I have an alarm system on it.

I'm going to be contacting Yamaha in the near future to give them another story of ignition failure. Hopefully they will issue a recall or TSB soon.

For those of you that offered to help, I appreciate it.

-Scott (now in New Mexico continuing the joy of riding!)

 

[Warchild]

Damn, Scott, it's not like you have a newer FJR.... have you had absolutely no ignition problems or other indication of any of this prior to this incident?

 

[ponyfool]

Damn, Scott, it's not like you have a newer FJR.... have you had absolutely no ignition problems or other indication of any of this prior to this incident?

In the parking lot at NAFO, I put the key in, turned it, and nothing happened. But I also turned it off immediately because I forgot something in the side case. When I put the key back in, everything was fine. At the time, I sorta assumed I just didn't turn the key all the way, but at the same time, I also thought to myself (and told a few others) that I was worried I might have one of the faulty ignitions.

But, outside of that single preview, no, I had no prior indicators. Also, unlike others, I wasn't able to get "life" by wiggling the wires. While on the roadside, I squirted WD-40 into the lock to see if it was just a dirty connector, but I never got any life out of it until I hot wired it.

No matter now, thanks to this forum, I was able to get the bike up and running again in a matter of minutes. The final solution will of course take much longer than that.

 

[motorcycle-ed]

Hell, I might as well just cut the wires on mine and put in a switch. It seems a matter of not if, but when.

Ed <_<

 

[timalan]

I am reading yes warranty and they put you in motel and pay for tow to dealer.... Just curious if anyone has tried to use this part of the yes.

Coverage number 3. it ain't much but if you had to get a motel or whatever because you switch quit... you payed for it use it.

Probably Just a big PITA and not worth the effort. Like Triple A?

 

[Niehart]

Easier just to fix and get back on your way.

After doing that, stop at the closest Yamaha dealer & have them verify that it is warranty. Once that is done, call Yamaha Mama from that dealership and have YM create a file. Then call your local dealer, tell him there is a file with Yamaha Mama and your local dealer will order the parts on his dime while your still on the road.

 

[TheAxeman]

I am reading yes warranty and they put you in motel and pay for tow to dealer.... Just curious if anyone has tried to use this part of the yes.Coverage number 3. it ain't much but if you had to get a motel or whatever because you switch quit... you payed for it use it.

Probably Just a big PITA and not worth the effort. Like Triple A?

Yamaha paid $450.00 (?) of my expenses for hotel and rental car when I broke down in Maine with an ignition failure. I gave the dealership the receipts and Yamaha authorized them to cut me a check which they sent to me a couple of days after I got back home.

Yamaha also paid for the dealership to pick me and the bike up 70 or so miles away from their location.

 

[FJR_pig]

Good grief, we're never going to let you go out alone again. This kind of thing didn't happen when you were with the group...

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I left NAFO for a wonderful 400 mile ride with no problems, I get off the interstate in the middle of f*cking nowhere to get gas, fill up, get on bike to go, NOTHING.
I'm doing searches now to remember how to bypass the ignition before it gets dark.

F*CK I'm pissed. Yamaha had better stand up and do the right thing on this. This is pathetic.

In the meantime, I have found that I need to connect the red and brown wires to get power. What do I do with the other two wires?

Damn Scott! Same day it happened to me after 400 miles. Stuck in nowhere Nevada. Rode another 438 miles after getting it started with the key half-way, and duct taped in place between on and off -- to get home. Just hopped on after filling up and nothing. I cut my trip short rather than get stranded again. Glad you found a solution.

 

[SockMonkey]

Not that this forum isn't a useful source of information, but everyone that's experienced this failure needs to stop dicking around with write-ups here and file a complaint @ safercar.gov. This problem is far more critical than tickers or altitude sickness and we need to get the Government's attention to put immediate pressure on Yamaha to get this addressed. Judging by Yamaha's attention to us at NAFO, we certainly don't have theirs.

 

[dcarver]

Can't tell you how many times I wondered if the mighty FJR would sweep the needles after key turn on this trip....

Of course I have the FJR emergency hot wire kit tool kit with me..

Still - Everytime, especially in remote locations...

Wondering..

Will this bitch start?

At least BMW's start -then fail the rear ends.

At least my HD; come to think of it, NEVER failed on me..

Screw the FJR -HD rules the world [SIZE=8pt](on a slower pace though!)[/SIZE]

 

[FjrVfr]

Southeastern Colorado, eh? Mine was in Walsenburg and I was scared shirtless. Thought for sure my 4 week trip which I'd planned for months was finished.

Thanks again to dcarver and toecutter for their help. You guys (as well as this forum) are the class act.

C'mon Yamaha - this is where we need you...

 

[radman]

But, outside of that single preview, no, I had no prior indicators. Also, unlike others, I wasn't able to get "life" by wiggling the wires. While on the roadside, I squirted WD-40 into the lock to see if it was just a dirty connector, but I never got any life out of it until I hot wired it.

That will lube the lock cylinder, but the switch itself is sealed, and lube shouldn't reach it. Notice that when you spray a lot of any liquid into it, you'll see it drain from a weep hole-this setup prevents water from finding it's way to the switch itself. Nice job keeping it going, many have been stuck-thank those who have gone before you!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Not that this forum isn't a useful source of information, but everyone that's experienced this failure needs to stop dicking around with write-ups here and file a complaint @ safercar.gov. This problem is far more critical than tickers or altitude sickness and we need to get the Government's attention to put immediate pressure on Yamaha to get this addressed. Judging by Yamaha's attention to us at NAFO, we certainly don't have theirs.

[SIZE=24pt]+1 [/SIZE]

Sockmonkey just made one of the truest statements that I've seen in a while. Sorry for shouting, but if it's the only way to get noticed...

[SIZE=14pt]The only way to get action on this one is for lots of people to log their actual problems with NHTSA on the www.safercar.gov site![/SIZE]

We've got 11 pages of people logging these problems on this forum, but unfortunately the reports die there. To get something to happen, each of you need to log your occurence with NHTSA.

[SIZE=14pt]It has to be each of you as individuals, because you need to have your model info and VIN #.[/SIZE]

These reports are also collected by each of the manufacturers, which means that Yamaha will pay attention.

Again, sorry to use the big font, but this is almost the only way to get a recall going.

Bob

 

[Wolfhound]

After the first failure I put quick disconnects on the wiring. It helped to quickly bypass for my SECOND failure & will be ready for the 3rd failure . . . Bites the big one to be sure . . .

 

[ponyfool]

Southeastern Colorado, eh? Mine was in Walsenburg and I was scared shirtless. Thought for sure my 4 week trip which I'd planned for months was finished.

NO SHIT?? I was in Walsenburg when mine broke down too! Hwy 160 at I-25. In fact, this was the same place my Bandit started to experience carb problems two years ago! Maybe it's the motorcycle equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle?!?!?