Intermittent stalling on the freeway.

[paulo888]

Hello FJR Gurus, I recently have been experiencing intermittent stalling issues. I don't know if the fuel pump is going out or what. I have an 04 fjr with 58,000 miles. The lights on the dash aren't flickering on or off or anything so I don't think it was a grounding issue. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Fred W]

More info will get better answers.

You say stalling on the freeway. Is that the only time?

Is it a stumbly type of thing or does the engine just outright quit. What does it take to get it going again?

 

[Intech]

I will defer to the Gen I gurus, but you can start by the simple things like checking connections, especially battery. Are you running a Power Commander? Stalling on the freeway is not good.

 

[ionbeam]

Is it a stumbly type of thing or does the engine just outright quit. What does it take to get it going again?

Indeed, very good questions that are key to sorting this out. Assuming (always a bad thing) that it is like a light switch, running, not running, then running again, definitely check the battery cable connections.

Does it do it only when cold or only when hot or it doesn't matter? Another big clue, does it do it always at the same RPM regardless of gear?

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Tank vent hose plugged up. Try opening the lid and check for vacumn.

 

[paulo888]

Doesn't do it in the morning. Only on the ride home. 65-80mph Like engine cuts off for two seconds then engine comes back to life. It's like if you were to let go of the throttle then back on again.

 

[lnewlf]

Kill switch ? ECU connector? ignition switch?

 

[TomInPA]

Any chance the springs on the kickstand are getting loose and letting the KS safety switch activate?

 

[ionbeam]

Still pretty stingy with information.

Have you recently done anything to/with your FJR?

Does it turn OFF/ON only once or can it do it many times? Are you unable to ride 65-80 because it won't run in that speed band? I won't ask if it runs reliably faster than 80 MPH 'cause I don't want to be part of you getting a big speeding ticket.

Is it related to a RPM band regardless of gear?

Does it happen only in 5th gear?

Is there anything different about the road or your location in the afternoon vs in the morning? Even something like you get on the highway first thing in the morning and get off shortly, but in the evening you have driven quite a ways before you get on the highway (or some scenario like this)? Is there a change if road surface in the area where you get the drop-out?

Typically, if it is fuel related power fades in and out and doesn't go ON/OFF/ON suddenly. Typically, if it is electrical related it DOES go ON/OFF/ON.

There is nothing that happens only at that speed which would trigger the drop-out, the problem has to be there but not expressed in other riding conditions.

One thing in the back of my mind is the TPS, it can be in a condition where it will only fail when hot, but it will only fail in a narrow RPM band. Do you know if the TPS has been changed to the new design TPS? If you bought your FJR used you can call any Yamaha service desk, give them you VIN and they can tell you what has been done to your bike. The thing that bothers me is if it is the TPS it would run bad in every gear, at any gear specific speed at one fixed RPM range.

 

[Bounce]

Yep. Still not enough info. If it only happens when warm and when pulling higher gpm flow, then the easiest (and cheapest) is to first think about the last time you did your PM on your fuel filler neck. As was mentioned, if you're not getting good venting then you could be pulling too much vacuum in the tank and starving the bike.

https://www.fjr-tips.org/maint/ff/ff.html

 

[paulo888]

I haven't done anything to the bike recently. It is sporadic. Goes off for 1 or 2 seconds then throttle comes back on. I commute 20 miles each way. Doesn't do it in the morning. Road is smooth. 5th gear all the way. I thought about the rpm thing too. But I couldn't verify that it only happens at a specific rpm. I got off the freeway and it didn't do it anymore. Was there a new TPS for the gen1? I'll check service bulletins and service records with Yamaha. I thought about the kickstand switch but the spring is still strong. I can bypass the kickstand switch just to be sure. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[Bounce]

Sounds like fuel starvation. Check your filler neck and drain tubes. Highway speeds need more fuel flow and if the bike is sucking harder than the tank can flow, it would cause that exact problem. That might mean:

1. Clogged vents (see above on FFN maintenance) causing excess vacuum in the tank.

2. Clogged fuel filter (but the FJR doesn't have a replaceable one).

3. Fuel pump not flowing enough (why mess with that first when the first one is DIY and $0.00?).

There's also a TPMS recall on Gen1 but your idle will waiver too if that's the problem. Get it taken care of (as well as your other scheduled maintenance if you've skipped anything) but don't expect it to fix a fuel starvation problem.

Don't start bypassing **** in the wiring harness as a first step. You can cause more problems than you fix.

 

[Chiefblueman]

You haven't mentioned whether you checked your battery connections yet. You are describing to a T what was happening to my gen1 right after I purchased it. At first it would cut out on the freeway, then as time went on it became more frequent.

 

[paulo888]

I thought about the battery posts too but the lights weren't flickering on/off but I will go over the bike this weekend. I thought about the fuel starvation too. I'll put a spare key on the tank and open when it does it again.I ran the vin with Yamaha and the tps was done. Thanks again for all the input guys. I was thinking it was a fuel pump problem but I'll tear it down this weekend. Until then, I will ride one of my other bikes.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

I'll put a spare key on the tank and open when it does it again.

Do not do this as you drive!If a ventilation hole has clogged probably the trapped pressure could cause the gasoline to fly out of the tank!!Something very dangerous as you drive!!

I found a very helpful post from Fred here:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/18042-gas-cap-modification/?p=722219

 

[ionbeam]

Fuel issues typically cause 'soft' failures where power fades or surges but very rarely does fueling cause abrupt drop-outs and abrupt power return. The OP is indicating that the problem is exclusively 65-80 mph in 5th gear on afternoons and never mornings, what is unique about that? It kinda makes me think of second gear pop-outs due to bent shift forks

Why afternoons? It's early in the morning (yawn), and I'm (yawn) on my way to work. I (yawn) need a cup of coffee or (yawn) two. I really don't want to (yawn) go to work today. Afternoon: I'm on my way home (vroom). Let's get there (vroom) and let life begin (vroom). I need to work my way through traffic (vroom)(vroom) and get home. Interpretation: Lazy ride to work, aggressive ride home with the aggressiveness causing the ??problem?? to express itself. paulo888, make adjustments to this speculation and help us with more detail, 'cause your failure is quite unusual with the specific conditions where you experience it.

 

[mcatrophy]

... It's early in the morning (yawn), and I'm (yawn) on my way to work. I (yawn) need a cup of coffee or (yawn) two. I really don't want to (yawn) go to work today. ...

ZZZzzzz....

 

[Bounce]

IF it's a fuel vent issue, just clean it up. It takes all of 15 or 20 minutes. Bandaiding it by opening the tank doesn't fix anything and (might) create it's own issues. Improperly vented tanks have been documented to collapse or bulge; creating costly repairs.

Just do the PM on the $13,000.00 bike. Take care of your **** and it will take care of you.

 

[paulo888]

I put new plugs on and switched out a very dirty air filter (Could'nt see light through it). Haven't had issue since. Thanks everyone.