Will Yamaha address the Ignition Failures

[fjrboomer]

I talked to my local dealer Service Manager a couple of weeks ago regarding his knowledge of the ignition failures on 06-07 FJR. He is relatively new and so I did not expect him to be aware of it. He did agree to contact the Dist. Rep. for Yamaha which he did. The Dist. Rep told him that he was not aware of any ignition problems but would talk to corporate about it. The Parts guy at my dealer who has been there much longer and knows the Dist. Rep. also talked to him. Today they advised me that corporate HQ has no reports of ignition failures on the FJR. The Dist. Rep. told them to tell me to quit reading the forums and go out and just enjoy riding the bike. This is a little disturbing to me.

I find it interesting as I know some of you who have had failures have contacted Yamaha Customer Services about the problem. From this I could only draw one of two conclusions. Either there is a serious communication problem with Yamaha or they are going to stay in denial publicly of the problem and hope it goes away. Neither of these is good for us who own the FJRs. I think my next step will be to call Customer Services and advise them of my findings and express my concerns as to either their lack of efficiency or willingness to deceive their customers. Based on my findings I would recommend that no one hold their breath waiting for Yamaha to solve this problem.

My next step will be to call Customer Service and tell them about the Dist. Rep. comment and denial of the problem. I am open to suggestions from others how I handle this. I do not want to piss them off but just try to encourage them to address the problem. I personally have not suffered a failure on my 07A but I only have about 7700 mi.s on it. I do know that Yamaha does not like this forum or any others for that matter.

Had I found this forum and read about these problems before my purchase I would probably not have bought the FJR. I love this bike but everytime I go out on it now I have in the back of my mind as to whether this will be the trip when the ignition fails. I unlike many of you, am not a mechanic. I have made up an emergency repair kit but with my skills I may screw it up trying to fix it.

 

[JamesK]

fjrboomer,

I have 32k on my '07 and have no indications of an ignition failure developing, I too have none the less made up the hot-wire kit just in case and have added my name to Brodie's list for a by-pass relay. So at least by that measure you should be ok for a while still

It would be interesting to find out how many (any) non-US FJRs have suffered the ignition failure problem. I don't remember hearing anything about many of the "known" FJR issues from owners in Japan who have the Euro spec FJRs. This is my second Gen II FJR, I had the '06 in Japan which I also clocked up over 30k mi on with no ignition, ECU, or any other problems, but that was a Euro spec bike.

 

[SkooterG]

Dude, it's still a relatively small amount that fail. Don't let this issue get in the way of enjoying your FJR. Do you let the possibility that you could crash because of some BDC anytime you go out stop you from enjoying the ride? I didn't think so.

The corporate denial is standard across all makes and brands. Most likely due to liability reasons.

A phone call is not going to get you anywhere. If you are really sincere about TRYING to make a difference, then write a letter to corporate about the issue, and copy your dealer, and the service rep if possible, and even NHTSA. I would mention specific names and dates of other failures which you can get from this forum.

It still probably won't do anything, but if you send it registered mail then they can't play stupid later on should something happen to your FJR.

 

[Warchild]

Some of us are well, well versed in the process of dealing with Cypress. Dating back to circa 2003. Believe me - I know.

Like many a large corporation... there are indeed significant internal communication issues. I am not surprised whatsoever that you have received the feedback you have.

However, it is rarely a situation where they deny, deny, deny and hope the problem magically disappears. That is a strong BMW trait, but not Yamaha's.

I can tell you there *are* pockets within Cypress that are aware of this issue, but they do seem to think that it is not a widespread issue among all model years, and quite frankly, I agree. This *seems* to be (with the obvious statistical exceptions) a Gen II issue, and further, primarily a '06-'07 issue ('06 more than '07).

You will *always* hear about exceptions... a 2004 here, a 2005 there, etc.

Have we had any *confirmed* black bikes with this problem here on forum? If there are... I want to hear about it.

Because I will be holding some discussions with some of my ferrets in Cypress about this issue (and others) in the very near future.

Who has a 2008 bike with this classic ignition failure?

 

[FJRBluesman]

Gunny SkooterG!

The other thing, I have a gen1 (2005) and for a while was concerned about the dreaded "tick". I know the percentage is very low, so why worry about the ~3%-5% (not sure if that's the correct figure) that have it, I can be comforted that 95%-97% DON"T get it. Now I just plain ride it and have a blast.

Skooter is right, You don't worry about crashing, mechanical failures, etc. Just enjoy it. Every bike probably has some issue and this forum helps those that may have the issue, that doesn't mean every bike will get it.

Ride Safe.

 

[El Toro]

The Dist. Rep. told them to tell me to quit reading the forums and go out and just enjoy riding the bike.

I think he's given good advice.

If you want a bike that is not subject to internet exageration of its problems, I'm not sure what marque to buy.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I know personally of someone on an 06 that had this problem...it stopped dead in the middle of nowhere. He jiggled the wires and finally got it back started...but it happened later in the trip as well. ..and this was the second or third switch that had been replaced by the dealer. This problem is NOT an internet exaggeration I guarantee that. My buddy was stopped cold dead in the middle of nowhere...it was not immediately evident that the bike would ever start again even after much jingling of the switch.

I would NOT be happy with this type of issue lurking out there on my bike. :angry:

One of the reasons I got a replacement '04 instead of a GenII...worries about that. :blink:

Therefore, definitely document and send via registered to all parties...

 

[pinhead]

The corporate denial is standard across all makes and brands. Most likely due to liability reasons.

Gunny! Look at it from Yamaha's point of view. If they admit there is a dangerous flaw now, even indirectly by admitting that they are working on a solution, and somebody gets injured or killed before a recall is issued, they've basically already admitted that they are at fault. Until they've got the solution worked out (and I still have a little faith that they'll deliver), their lawyers are going to tell them to keep their traps shut. I'm not trying to defend their ethics by any means, but they're simply doing what is financially prudent at the moment, and that's standard operating procedure almost everywhere.

And hey, if they don't deliver and I'm the one that goes down in flames when mine fails, I'll definitely be eating my words - though it may be through a straw.

 

[Wolfhound]

My post disapeared ! . . . post #3. I had my first ign switch go out (and maybe the second one) before I had aux lights & heated gear. My third switch with this stuff has lasted longer than both of the others combined. I sure wouldn't give up this awesome machine over the switch . . .

 

[SkooterG]

And hey, if they don't deliver and I'm the one that goes down in flames when mine fails, I'll definitely be eating my words - though it may be through a straw.

Consider the upside. You might actually look a little less ugly. :lol: Hey, I am a glass half-full kind of guy.

My post disapeared ! . . . post #3.

Dude. Put down the alcohol and/or drugs and step away from the computer. It was another similar thread you posted in my geriatric dimbulb friend. :****:

 

[Warchild]

My post disapeared ! . . . post #3. I had my first ign switch go out (and maybe the second one) before I had aux lights & heated gear. My third switch with this stuff has lasted longer than both of the others combined. I sure wouldn't give up this awesome machine over the switch . . .

We have a couple threads burning on this subject... your #3 post is in this thread, 'bro....

 

[pinhead]

And hey, if they don't deliver and I'm the one that goes down in flames when mine fails, I'll definitely be eating my words - though it may be through a straw.

Consider the upside. You might actually look a little less ugly.

Keep that up Mr. Ears and the gloves are gonna' come off. :lol:

And leave Robert alone. He may be getting a little senile, but he could probably kick both our ***** without spilling his beer

 

[Wolfhound]

Oops I see I'm still a bit off, damnit ! But hey where would I rather be when in this state? Nowhere . . . .I t sure looked damn similar with the same person posting the second thread I must be waaaaay past the beer & the meds are acting up.. :derisive: :drinks:

Note to self (keep working on reality & people skills, it may come to me someday)

Skooter, I see your wife let you out for a few minutes . . . :blum:

 

[pinhead]

Skooter, I see your wife let you out for a few minutes . . . :blum:

Wife? NO Jane! Say it ain't so!

 

[Warchild]

Skooter, I see your wife let you out for a few minutes . . . :blum:

Wife? NO Jane! Say it ain't so!

Well, she did recently buy that beemer, so, we already know her judgment is suspect....

 

[Wolfhound]

He just seems to be soooooo married, even if not on paper :lol: ( I'm gunna catch hell for that one) . . . . I wish my Wife knew how to tighten up the reigns once in a while, but then I guess we wouldn't get a long so good. Hey what can I say, She spoils me waay too much . . . :beach:

 

[dragonchef]

The percentage game only applies for those who are not affected (effected?)...ignorance was bliss 'till I had no juice several hundred miles from home...

What percentage were affected by the ECU altitude sickness....??

Oh and BTW, there is a "new" part number out for the replacement ignition assy... 5PS-82501-10

 

[TheAxeman]

I to have complained to Cypress, dealer, rep, etc....about the problem and have gotten the same knee jerk response from them, complete denial.

Two ignition failures on the same bike, both out of my home state and in the middle of nowhere. I must just be one of the completely lucky "small percentage" that people talk about.

In my mind, "go out and enjoy riding the bike" only applies to those who haven't nearly had a Peterbilt shoved up their *** because the ignition failed. Yamaha can go **** themselves with their internet hysteria theory. Once they begin scraping riders off the pavement maybe their attitude will change. Dead men tell no tales so it would be interesting to find out at some future date how many fatalaties have actually occurred because of this "small percentage" of failures.

 

[Wolfhound]

There is certainly rumors about possible deaths. At least one has died on an '06 for no aparent reason . . .

If you know how to quickly bypass the problem (and your not killed when it happens), you can be on the road fairly quick. BE PREPARED , a wire nut or two in your tools can make it easy to be on your way. I've done it in the middle of nowhere, alone, & after midnight during a rally.