FJR1300AE shift/start failure

[diablo456]

Reposting here, New owner, I originally described this issue in the new member forum. Would appreciate any insights or advice. At this moment, the shop is stumped.

Purchased a 2008 FJR1300ae this weekend, authorized Yamaha dealer, sold to me as new with warranty, 700 miles on the odo. It's stalled constantly since I purchased it, I usually had to restart 3 or 4 times, including when stopped in traffic and shifting back down to first at a light. Had scheduled an appointment with the dealer in 10 days to have this adjusted. Then....

Tuesday mid-morning, after a short ride to a worksite (75 miles with me; 875 on the odo), the bike refused to start. All combinations (kickstand up/down; neutral or first, hand brake/foot brake) gave the same error. The display says "shift", the yellow error light blinks, you get a rapid clicking from behind the instrument panel, and the starter won't turn on. Spent about an hour on the phone with the bike with my dealer. Decided it needed to go the shop, was just picked up. Note: the bike DOES shift between neutral and first, and the display indicates either "1" or the green neutral light depending. No other error codes on the LCD.

I've done extensive searches here and on google, and can't find anyone else with this shift error and starter problem. Have found several folks that had YCCS problems that were cured by replacing the YCCS computer, but no one that got this error and the bike refusing to start.

Shop called me Wednesday morning. No error codes stored in the bike, and no codes on the display. Problem continues, no start with blinking "shift" message on the display. They're stumped, said they'd be calling Yamaha later today.

 

[Monty]

I would say battery.

 

[yamafitter]

Have the recalls been done (ignition switch, shifting actuator & ground wiring harness)??

Since the bike sat for so long I'm also very suspect about bad gas and the injectors being gummed up. If the bike was not stored properly the battery may be bad. Since you are hearing a lot of clicking sounds this is usually an indication of not enough voltage to hold the relays in place and they are dropping out and then picking up again. Low voltage may also explain the shift error indication.Loose terminals on the battery or loose connections on one of the main relays can also cause these issues.

 

[diablo456]

Good ideas. Battery is fresh, I charged it, got about 14.2 volts on my voltmeter. Have asked the shop about ignition and actuator recalls, they didn't yet have an answer. My mistake to assume an authorized dealer would sell a bike with an active recall campaign and not have the work done. I am following up on those points. The nature of the "clicking" wasn't what you get with a starter relay, I'm familiar with that. Was very different in this case. Shifter was working fine and quickly to move between neutral and first. Will post when I hear more.

 

[FJRBandit]

Diablo, sorry to hear you are having this trouble. I certainly can't add anything to what has already been said. But, being an AE owner myself I am definitely interested in hearing the outcome and ultimate resolution. I have over 51K miles on my clock and had one prior issue with my AE (bike wouldn't shift to first). The shop could never duplicate the problem but Yammie authorized a shift actuator replacement, under warranty. Truth be told, I'm not sure it wasn't operator error (probably kickstand down :blink: ). That was two years and 25K miles ago and no further issues. The AE is an incredible feature. As soon as your problem gets fixed and you put a few problem free miles behind you I believe you'll fall in love with the bike. Good luck and keep us posted.

FJRBandit

 

[RadioHowie]

Well, NOW we know where Shane Stump's bike wound up!

 

[dcarver]

Arrgh. I hate stories like this, best to you and good luck!

 

[diablo456]

Just heard from the shop. They found a failed solenoid. I don't have a parts diagram, so don't know which one at this point. They're replacing the solenoid, and said it should be ready in a few days. Also said they're fixing the low idle problem, and stated that all recall service work had already been done (I specifically asked about both the ignition harness/ground wire and the shift actuator).

I consider it good news that the problem was found, and based on the reliable history here, figure it was just a bad solenoid. I restore pinball machines as a hobby, and each game has dozens of solenoids. Rare to have a bad one, but it does happen, with thousands of turns of fine wire on each.

Thanks again for the comments, I appreciate all your help.

Joe M.

 

[majicmaker]

Outstanding Diablo!! Keep us Posted on the First Ride with it Fixed! :clapping:

 

[diablo456]

Picked the bike up from the dealer today, works great! Got the idle problem solved (now idles about 1050; was 600). Amazing day in the Southwest, 70 degrees, no wind. Here's a pic, thanks to all that offered help. It was a bad solenoid. If/when I find out which one, I'll update this thread for anyone that might have a similar problem in the future.

Joe M.

 

[NC Ryder]

It was a bad solenoid. If/when I find out which one, I'll update this thread for anyone that might have a similar problem in the future.

Joe M.

Was it was the starter solenoid, between the battery and the starter itself? I'm having what appears to be a very similar issue and would appreciate the thoughts. Thanks!

 

[wfooshee]

That's not a solenoid, it's just a relay. He's talking about actuators in the AE's shift and clutch computer-controlled operation.

Just in case there is confusion between "solenoid" and "relay," a relay is simply a switch controlled by an elcromagnetic coil. When the coil is energized, it close (or opens) a circuit. The circuit being opened or closed is usually higher current or voltage (or both) than the electromagnet. A solenoid is a mechanical actuator triggered by an electromagnet. It might by rotary or linear, but it's basically just an electric motor with limited travel.

Switches a circuit: relay.

Moves something mechanically: solenoid.

 

[networkguy]

Interesting timing...I had this issue this morning. I started my bike as usual to go to work, then realized I forgot to put my backpack in my hard bag, so turned it off, put my backpack in, and tried to restart. Turn the key, I hear the usual whine of the electrical system starting, no error codes, push the starter, and *click-click-click-click*...when I release the starter button the whine of the electrical system starts again. Grrrr. I dont believe its the battery as its never sat more than a couple of days between rides, and it was fine yesterday. Yeah I know...everything works right before it breaks. Sucks too coz I have a 3 day ride planned for Thursday

edit: Just got back from the shop. At least my towing was free. Wifey and I had a 3 day ride planned for Thursday so I hope 1. they find it and 2. its something simple.

edit2: Just talked to the shop. They know WHAT the problem is, just not where. They grounded the starter to the frame and it started right up so theres an open somewhere in between the starter button and the starter. Somewhere. Now theyre tearing the fairing and wire bundle apart looking for it. At $125/hr.

/cry

 

[tigerpaw78]

Joe M/Diablo,

Well here it is five years later, and I am having trouble getting my local dealer to take action per your resolution. Any details you could provide would be appreciated (location of the solenoid, what dealer did the fix, has it reoccurred? I bet it's been fine since. My dealer replaced the regulator/rectifier for $430, but the problem was not resolved. They refunded me the $430, but then rather than taking the printout of your post to fix it, they suggested I got to another dealer. I don't quite understand that turn of events, but at least the owner took the printout of your post and said he'd look into it. Help! Please! I love my FJR and don't trust it anymore for touring with this issue. I hope you are still a member of the forum!

Dave Phelps aka tigerpaw78

p.s. mine is a 2008 AE, my local dealer is Twiggs Cycles in Hagerstown, Maryland