Speedo doesn't sweep after switching on - sometimes

[user 21261]

Hello!

I've got one of these "doesn't happen at the service" problems :/

Several times a week my speedo doesn't sweep after key is turned on. Or sometimes it "goes mad" jumping between zero and some value. Rarely, also RPM meter has the same problem. When it happens, speedo will not show anything until i ride for few meters, then it starts working.

It never happens durining the ride. There are no ABS errors.

The wiring under front cowling was checked - nothing obvious.

From what I understand the problem must exist between main ECU and the meter. I belive the meter itself is rather OK, because it is not probable for speedo and RPM meters have a similar malfunction at the same time.

Just before winter I had an ECU replaced because of the "altitude problem". But again - I believe if it was ECU problem it wouldn't work all the time.

What would you recommend - checking all the connection from the ECU to meter assembly? It would be much easier if the problem appear all the time...

Best Regards

Michał

PS. FJR is 2006 model with ABS and without YCCS.

 

[BkrK12]

Locate S4 in the front left of the engine compartment, under the T-bar and insulation blanket. After you turn the ignition switch to "on", wiggle the S4 cluster and watch the dash. If you have a spider problem, your display will put on a show for you. That is a prelude to total failure.

You can also get at S4 without raising the tank. Stand on the left side of the bike. With your left hand, reach down next to the steering head until you can slide your fingers into the cooling duct that is there. You can feel the S4 cluster with your finger tips toward the outside of the bike. Do the same wiggle and see what happens. A warning: If the S4 is the problem and it's about to let go, you could short it out by doing this. It might be wise to try it in your garage.

Good luck.

Dan

 

[yamafitter]

Whether or not you are able to replicate the problem by wiggling the S4 cluster you should take the preventive measure of augmenting the grounding system which is proven to be problematic. There are a few grounding harnesses offered by some of our fellow forum members that replace the grounding spiders and add an additional path to ground (negative). I can personally recommend the Brodie Harness which you can read about here.

Brodie Grounding Harness

 

[bramfrank]

Note that if your S4 is burned, you will need to rebuild the ju8nction before applying the fix - however yours may (or ay not) have been bitten.

Hopefully your bike has some remaining YES and your dealer can have the pleasure of installing a new wiring harness on your machine . . . . .

If it was indeed an issue with the spiders, then please file a report with the NHTSA - a spider bite can be life threatenning - your report should mention this.

(link to the thread: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=137181)

Then again, it may NOT be a spider bite, but just a loose connector going to the instrument cluster.

 

[user 21261]

Note that if your S4 is burned, you will need to rebuild the ju8nction before applying the fix - however yours may (or ay not) have been bitten.

I'm not really convinced to blame it on S4. Is a ground wire from instrument cluster really going through S4?

Hopefully your bike has some remaining YES and your dealer can have the pleasure of installing a new wiring harness on your machine . . . . .

If it was indeed an issue with the spiders, then please file a report with the NHTSA - a spider bite can be life threatenning - your report should mention this.

I don't live in US, so no Yes, no NHTSA, unfortunately

Best Regards

Michał

 

[BkrK12]

I'm not really convinced to blame it on S4. Is a ground wire from instrument cluster really going through S4?

Best Regards

Michał

It most certainly is. Take a look at the Brodie writeups to see how the ground circuit is wired.

But, I'm not suggesting you blame S4 right now. Just suggesting a methodology to check it.

Dan

 

[jcyuhn]

My 2006 has had the no sweep/herky-jerky sweep for years. It mostly happens first time in the morning, and is much more common in the winter than the summer. So I think the fault lies within the instrument cluster, and it is temperature related. My '06 does not have any spider issues - checked at the last service - and this glitch first showed up years ago. I really do not think it likely to be related to the ground spider.

In my experience it's not worth spending any money to repair, and the speedometer won't fail on you anytime soon.

 

[STC10]

My 2006 has had the no sweep/herky-jerky sweep for years. It mostly happens first time in the morning, and is much more common in the winter than the summer. So I think the fault lies within the instrument cluster, and it is temperature related. My '06 does not have any spider issues - checked at the last service - and this glitch first showed up years ago. I really do not think it likely to be related to the ground spider.

In my experience it's not worth spending any money to repair, and the speedometer won't fail on you anytime soon.

Agreed, Mine has been doing this almost since new. Again, on first start up and not all the time. Actually I haven't noticed it at all lately. So you see Grasshopper, Do not always blame the spider:assassin:

 

[wheatonFJR]

...Agreed, Mine has been doing this almost since new...

So why did you not have it repaired under warranty??

 

[Blue Crab]

I noticed that my new (to me) bike did the same thing, only it was the tachometer that went haywire. It only did it once. Then, another time, the bike shut off when I was shifting into 1st gear while stopping at a light (it started back up without a problem). Hmmm. I think I'm going to install the Brodie harness just to be on the safe side.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Sounds like intermittency somewhere, and most likely a connection. I would start by checking the spiders, but also unplug and replug the ECU connector and the cluster connectors (a little contact cleaner couldn't hurt).

 

[STC10]

...Agreed, Mine has been doing this almost since new...

So why did you not have it repaired under warranty??

Mainly because I didn't want to deal with the odometer change. I was fortunate enough to not have the 17mpg issue and it doesn't affect operation of the cluster. I do my best to keep my bike out of anyone elses hands. It's been back to the dealer once to have all the recalls done. All other work is done by me.