Ungh... Main Switch Fears

[Ian Farlow]

Well... I think I'm going to be sick. I have put about 90 miles on the bike today, and have had a blast. Unfortunately, I just learned of the recall on the main switch, and my bike is in the range of bikes affected. The dealer never mentioned the recall and if they actually performed the fix already, and now I am having to ground myself from riding until I speak with them. Problem is, how on earth do I confirm that the work was even done?

This is frustrating...

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Ian,

Some dealers don't keep track of all the recalls unless you mention it for them to look it up.

To be sure, you can call Yamaha directly at: 770-420-5861 with you VIN# and they can tell you the acurate status of your recall.

Good Luck and enjoy your bike!

 

[SkooterG]

I hate to say it, but do some research in the ig switch recall threads. If they performed the recall, they were required to punch a dot or something into your frame near the VIN. The exact info is around here somewhere.

Other than that relax, it ain't nothing to fret over. Either it's already been done, or you will get it done. Worse shit out there to stress over. And also, there is no reason to stop riding until it is fixed IMHO. Unless you think that the sky is falling.

 

[dsmack]

The dealer should not have sold and delivered the bike to you if it required the recall. A simple phone call to the Service Manager should put the matter to rest one way or the other. I hope for your riding pleasure that the bike was correctly serviced and made ready for delivery.

To strengthen your position, you should know that delivery of the bike without correctly performing the recall is both a violation of the dealer's contract with Yamaha and a violation of Federal law. You should be able to negotiate a couple of free service visits for your trouble and aggravation I would think.

Good luck and enjoy your new ride!

Don

 

[kaitsdad]

Ian, please read post #471 of a previous thread: Official Recall

Iggy has posted a link to the factory issued recall bulletin - and it describes two different ways to tell if the work was done.

 

[r1byker]

I hate to say it, but do some research in the ig switch recall threads. If they performed the recall, they were required to punch a dot or something into your frame near the VIN. The exact info is around here somewhere.
Other than that relax, it ain't nothing to fret over. Either it's already been done, or you will get it done. Worse shit out there to stress over. And also, there is no reason to stop riding until it is fixed IMHO. Unless you think that the sky is falling.

+1. Ride it until you get around to having the recall done, if it needs it. I have an '06 with 25,000 miles on it and just received the recall notice. I'll just keep riding until I get around to calling a couple dealers to see which one has done the work before. In the immortal words of Alfred E. Neuman: "What me worry?"

 

[Ian Farlow]

I appreciate the support and suggestions. Checking into the recall notice now. And after a good night's sleep, I think I will follow everyone's advice and ride in to work today. It's going to be a nice day and I don't want to miss it. Now... off to check Post #471.

Thanks!

 

[FJR Flyer]

There will be a punch mark over the last digit of the VIN if the recall was completed.

 

[Ian Farlow]

I have discovered that there are two ways to tell if the work was done. The VIN will have a punch mark above the last digit, and the cable running out of the main switch will have a yellow band around it at the connector end. I checked the VIN on my bike, but it is not punched. I checked my roommate's bike, and the VIN on that bike isn't punched either, although he took his in for the repair. I can't see the end of the cable to check for the yellow band (the end of the cable is under the fuel tank).

Dang... going to call the dealer and Yamaha later today to see what I can find out.

There will be a punch mark over the last digit of the VIN if the recall was completed.

Thanks. Just posted with the same info after reading the service bulletin.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

For your reading pleasure and peace of mind:

One of the links in post #1 of the thread Kaitsdad pointed you to is a link to "The Brodie ignition fix":Brodie wiring harness

My experience may help. I took a chance on the switch not failing and it quit in the middle of absolutely nowhere at almost 20,000 miles on the odometer. But I made it home knowing of a couple ways to jury rig it as explained in the ignition switch failure thread(s).

I then installed a new switch and one of Brodie's harnesses for cheap insurance. Although I am in the process of getting a new switch installed, it has not and will not keep me from riding until I get the new switch done. I and most peeps are confident (nothing in life is guaranteed) the Brodie harness will keep the miles trouble free until I have some downtime for other changes to do on the bike.

Another way to ease the mind is to get some motorcycle-specific towing insurance through AAA, AMA and many others.

Hope that helps you sleep better.

 

[Ian Farlow]

Interesting... thanks.

 

[SockMonkey]

Well... I think I'm going to be sick. I have put about 90 miles on the bike today, and have had a blast. Unfortunately, I just learned of the recall on the main switch, and my bike is in the range of bikes affected. The dealer never mentioned the recall and if they actually performed the fix already, and now I am having to ground myself from riding until I speak with them. Problem is, how on earth do I confirm that the work was even done?
This is frustrating...

2 things: 1) Don't stop riding the bike. The ignition switch issue is one that develops over time due to heat until it fails. (If anyone's ignition switch has failed within, say, the first 1K miles, please correct me here.) 2) Don't be frustrated. This is all part of ownership and Yamaha has stepped up in a relatively timely manner as a result of the efforts of this forum (and this isn't the first time, BTW). Trust me when I tell you that taking your bike in for 2 hours to have the recall work done isn't the worst thing that can happen..!

 

[Ian Farlow]

2 things: 1) Don't stop riding the bike. The ignition switch issue is one that develops over time due to heat until it fails. (If anyone's ignition switch has failed within, say, the first 1K miles, please correct me here.) 2) Don't be frustrated. This is all part of ownership and Yamaha has stepped up in a relatively timely manner as a result of the efforts of this forum (and this isn't the first time, BTW). Trust me when I tell you that taking your bike in for 2 hours to have the recall work done isn't the worst thing that can happen..!

Thanks! I was a bit discouraged as a brand new FJR owner due to this and a roaring front end (not mine, the bike's! :lol: ) that I think is going to be the stock tires. It's all working out, slowly but surely.

 

[SkooterG]

I checked my roommate's bike, and the VIN on that bike isn't punched either, although he took his in for the repair.

That's messed up. Since this is a safety related recall, Yamaha really wants that punch mark there so it can easily be ascertained if an FJR has had the fix performed or not. If it were me, not only would I go back to the dealer and ask them WTF?, but I would call the Yamaha corporate customer service number and ask them how necessary that punch mark is.

If you and your roommate are using the same dealer, I would STRONGLY consider finding a new one as these boys don't seem up to speed. No punch mark for your roommate, and not installing a new switch before delivery of your FJR. BTW, WHEN did you take delivery of your FJR?

 

[Ian Farlow]

That's messed up. Since this is a safety related recall, Yamaha really wants that punch mark there so it can easily be ascertained if an FJR has had the fix performed or not. If it were me, not only would I go back to the dealer and ask them WTF?, but I would call the Yamaha corporate customer service number and ask them how necessary that punch mark is.
If you and your roommate are using the same dealer, I would STRONGLY consider finding a new one as these boys don't seem up to speed. No punch mark for your roommate, and not installing a new switch before delivery of your FJR. BTW, WHEN did you take delivery of your FJR?

I agree that this is messed up, but I just got off the phone with a product specialist at Yamaha, and she informed me that while they would like for the dealers to punch the mark above the VIN, they know that many dealers do not do this. She told me that as long as it is reported to Yamaha, that is all they really care about. Turns out that my bike has been reported to Yamaha as completed, and the work was done on March 09, 2009. So, I feel better about this, but wish that they could have punched the VIN so this could have been over last night.

Thanks again for everyone's input. It really helped. I've never dealt with anything like this on my previous motorcycles, so this was uncharted territory for me.

 

[SkooterG]

I agree that this is messed up, but I just got off the phone with a product specialist at Yamaha, and she informed me that while they would like for the dealers to punch the mark above the VIN, they know that many dealers do not do this. She told me that as long as it is reported to Yamaha, that is all they really care about. Turns out that my bike has been reported to Yamaha as completed, and the work was done on March 09, 2009. So, I feel better about this, but wish that they could have punched the VIN so this could have been over last night.
Thanks again for everyone's input. It really helped. I've never dealt with anything like this on my previous motorcycles, so this was uncharted territory for me.

:clapping:

Glad to hear it has all worked out in the end and your FJR has the new switch.

 

[FJR Flyer]

Get a punch and do it yourself.

There will be a punch in front of the first digit of the VIN if the altitude fix tech bulletin was completed, as well.

 

[dcarver]

Excellent! All I need is hammer and punch and my recalls are competed from the wondrously luxurious and well lit cRzy8 garage! Cool!

Glad it worked out for ya...

 

[trfjr]

Just had the switch recall done on my 08A and it has a punch mark above the first letter of the VIN that is stamped on the steering head (not the sticker on the frame rail).

I hope the tech did a better job of following directions on the switch replacment.