Ground Spider failure (S4)

[El Cajone]

some clarification on the term "ground spider" would be helpful. I am assuming they are several short wires coming out of the harness into a molex plug with a black that I assume connects all the wires together. If thats the case the one on the left side of the engine compartment on my bike has a big ******** burned through the black cap. I'm guessing this is s4. Am I on the right track.

It looks like you already have it figured out but just to confirm, yes, that is the S4 spider that is causing most of the problems. Now that you know where it is, you can probably look into your front wheel well and through the opening at the top of the rad and see the S4 sitting there in a good position to catch the airstream with all the rain and dirt that might be in it.

After I had mine fixed, I wrapped some heavy aluminum foil around it to provide a bit of extra protection.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

***EDIT***

Re-read all the previous spider bite posts... and my questions are dealt with there... sorry for eating up bandwidth unnecessarily

Mine was fixed temporarily after the breakdown in Michigan. I'm home now in Calgary and looking at a permanent repair. The bike is out of warranty, so getting dealer to replace the entire harness will be spendy.

In order to get home, the S4 was cut off and the wires spliced together. All the other ground spiders were cleaned/greased, and I'll redo them when I do the permanent fix. I have Brodie's aux harness in hand, which needs to be plugged into existing Sumitomo-type connectors.

Here are my questions:

1) Do I need to replace the entire wiring harness, or can I just splice in a new connector where S4 was cut off and then connect Brodie's harness?

2) Does anyone have the Yamaha part number for the harness? Is there a sub-harness for the S4 area. I can't find anything listed on the Yamaha online parts fiche.

3) Assuming I can just replace the connector that was cut off, does anyone know the part number and a source for the sumitomo connector used at S4?

Thanks!

Griff

 

[RavFJR]

For what it's worth, I finally got the chance to install Brodie's (first post accident) grounding harness this weekend. It has made a world of difference regarding certain mannerisms of the bike. BTW, while removing the various spyders I found S4 beginning to corrode, with S3 and S1 on their way. Anyway, when the cooling fans now come on, they no longer load the bike at idle. My gauges are now solid (they used to flicker at times), and the bike seems much easier to start - not sure if this is related.

On an earlier post I noted that Yamaha had the bike for a couple of weeks, with me trying to convince them to investigate this spyder grounding problem, but they never budged on this notion. They did, however; replace the TPS and ECU, and this seemed to have fixed my stalling from a stop problem. It's time to go riding now... :yahoo:

 

[bramfrank]

For what it's worth, I finally got the chance to install Brodie's (first post accident) grounding harness this weekend. It has made a world of difference regarding certain mannerisms of the bike. BTW, while removing the various spyders I found S4 beginning to corrode, with S3 and S1 on their way. Anyway, when the cooling fans now come on, they no longer load the bike at idle. My gauges are now solid (they used to flicker at times), and the bike seems much easier to start - not sure if this is related.

On an earlier post I noted that Yamaha had the bike for a couple of weeks, with me trying to convince them to investigate this spyder grounding problem, but they never budged on this notion. They did, however; replace the TPS and ECU, and this seemed to have fixed my stalling from a stop problem. It's time to go riding now... :yahoo:

So you suffered the problem . . . now report it to the NHTSA

 

[RavFJR]

So you suffered the problem . . . now report it to the NHTSA

I reported my problems to the NHTSA (ODI # 10336786) months ago (review my earlier posts)...

 

[art miller]

Last weekend Brodie helped me install his ground harness on my 07. The original spiders looked good but one was showing a little discolor. Brodie's harness is the answer to this perplexing problem. The workmanship of the harness is fantastic,heavy duty throughout. For the real deal and peace of mind, get Brodie's ground harness.

 

[noland]

I have read and re-read the posts. Is this particular symptom a joke?

* When the ignition is initially switched ON; the tach and speedo hands sweep and return to zero as normal.

My bike has always done this. Also....

I hear talk of fans and such. Do they always come on? If so, would I hear them?

I have not heard them at all. I have been at stoplights and worried about heating, but no fans kicked on. I assumed that the FJ has to get really really hot. No?

While I have placed an order for the new harness as a preventative measure, the fact that Yamaha is replacing these concerns me. From what I gather reading, their fix does not address ALL issues.

I am serious with the questions about the speedo, tach, and fans. However if this was a joke, you got me. If not, the Yamaha got me! :angry:

If not, I WILL REPORT TO NHTSA!

Thanks!

 

[RavFJR]

I have read and re-read the posts. Is this particular symptom a joke?

I am serious with the questions about the speedo, tach, and fans. However if this was a joke, you got me. If not, the Yamaha got me! :angry:

If not, I WILL REPORT TO NHTSA!

Thanks!

I'm not sure if you are addressing my post, or making a generic statement... In any case, I will embellish on my problems. The gauge thing... Yes, I understand that the gauges sweep at start-up (doing a diagnostic test). My gauge problem occurred while running down the freeway when suddenly both gauges would sweep erratically then settle back down. This is was not normal, and did it on several occasions. It's up to you to accept what I am saying here. The fan thing... I didn't put two-and-two together on my fan symptom until I noticed a difference after installing Brodie's harness. Before the install, each time the fans would come on (while idling at a stop) the bike's idle would decrease (as if the electrical system was being taxed). Now, when the fans come on I notice no difference in idle. Again, take what I am saying to what it's worth... I am not playing a joke on you.

 

[noland]

I have yet to hear my bike's fans come on. The gauge has risen to 4 out of 6?? bars. There were only two marks left. I figured I was babying the bike. How often do the fans come on? Are they audible? I would think so. Hmmm....

 

[RavFJR]

I have yet to hear my bike's fans come on. The gauge has risen to 4 out of 6?? bars. There were only two marks left. I figured I was babying the bike. How often do the fans come on? Are they audible? I would think so. Hmmm....

My fans come on as the second bar above halfway comes on...you might have a temp switch problem. I can hear my fans come on in low noise situations (i.e. in the garage or no traffic nearby). Your problem is worth investigating...

 

[mcatrophy]

I have yet to hear my bike's fans come on. The gauge has risen to 4 out of 6?? bars. There were only two marks left. I figured I was babying the bike. How often do the fans come on? Are they audible? I would think so. Hmmm....

On a Gen II, fans come on with either 7 or 8 bars out of 10 (not sure which). They are audible when they do, but could be masked by other noises.

This pic (first published here) (click on image for larger view)



shows 5 out of ten bars (engine stopped after a run, temp gauge goes up a bit from its normal 4).

I've never had my fans come on when moving, only after several minutes of stationary traffic, and even then only when ambient temperatures are high (by UK standards :cold: ). It only takes half a minute or so for the temperature to come down to (I think) 4, when the fans turn off. I'm sure someone who's been more observant (or read more) can confirm the actual on/off bars, but from your post I don't think you have a problem.

[edit] You say "4 out of 6", then "only two marks left". The latter would mean "8 out of 10", then I would expect the fans to come on. Make sure you know what the temperature indication was. I still think it's unlikely you have a fan issue. [/edit]

 

[Burnspot]

In my experience, the noise of the fans is not all that noticeable with the engine running while sitting on the bike....but you can feel the increased heat blowing back. After a hot ride and brief idle while moving bike into garage, they are usually on when I hit the kill switch (they stay on for a moment after engine shutdown). Sounds like a jet engine though, lol.