5th Gen VFR starting problem.

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by rchristo, Nov 28, 2011.

  1. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    Hi folks. I have owned a 98 VFR since new and it's been great, except for a one-time rectifier replacement 4-5 years ago and now a new problem I'd like to get advice on. I was driving it to my folks about an hour away in 55 degrees, and had a heated vest on. The battery was freshly charged before the trip and the bike ran fine. When I stopped it before putting it into storage, it wouldn't restart. Lights were bright, fuel gauge lit up, but the fuel pump wouldn't come on. I can't get it to a mechanic, so need to troubleshoot myself. Does anyone have any ideas on how to trouble shoot? I have the repair manual, some mechanical ability, but have never done this before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    are you saying it cranks over but think it's not getting fuel?
     
  3. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    No Cranking whatsoever. The lights come on, fuel gauge indicates level, but no other functioning or noises.
     
  4. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Kinda sounds like an engine kill switch.
     
  5. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    The kill switch usually keeps the fuel gauge from lighting up. Mine lights up (bars grow from left to right until fuel level is reached), so that is telling me it's probably something else.
     
  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    agreed. but how often does that fail?

    How about neutral safety, side stand, or clutch safety switch?



    Mahna Mahna
     
  7. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Fuel pump would still prime but not crank. He said no cranking and no fuel pump priming noise. Probably just needs to be cleaned. My high beam switch on the gen 6 quit working last year, just dirty from that gunk that got in it in Colorado Rockies.
     
  8. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    gotcha


    the gunk is a culmination of the hot air and soot blown out by the boulderites (california transplants) culminating in the atmosphere








    Mahna Mahna
     
  9. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    You did check the fuses didn't you?
     
  10. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    What should I clean out? By the way, thanks for your replies. I appreciate all of the feedback (and I'm jealous of the roads you have in both California and Colorado).
     
  11. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    your taxes pay for them. come on out and ride.

    might wait a few months though



    Mahna Mahna
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ&feature=related
     
  12. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    I haven't checked the fuses yet because the bike is at the folks and haven't benn back to troubleshoot yet. I will check them though.

    Thanks again. Il. Let you know what comes of this.
     
  13. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    One of the guys popped a fuse for the fuel circuit a few weeks back plugging in his battery tender. Maybe your vest could have caused a problem when it was disconnected. Stranger things have happened and it sounds like the failure happened when you got off.
     
  14. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Good luck and let us know.
     
  15. vfourbear

    vfourbear New Member

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    Agreed,with our esteemed colleages, most likely electric issue. No cranking inidicates poor connections, battery or ECU are suspect, proceed accordingly. Eliminate all sidestand and gear placement issues first. In CT its unlikey to be crud from the left coast inhibiting your flow of electrons, but that humidity and age can make things seem that way. BTW, left coast still rules, witness the riding and weather. :pound:
     
  16. Rangerscott

    Rangerscott New Member

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    My '01 would do the same when the rectifier would over heat. After letting the bike cool down, she would start right up.
     
  17. dehning

    dehning New Member

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    I think that sounds similar to when the secondary master (or whatever it's called) fuse on mine went out. I actually ended up putting one of those auto-resetting fuses into mine and it's been perfect ever since.
     
  18. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    Thanks folks! You are all awesome. I washed the bike before the ride, so may have forced the issue. When I get a chance to get back to the bike, I'll figure it out and definitely let y'all know what happened.
     
  19. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Hey! Don't forget sunny south FL, we got dah weather (no-nasty comments about flat roads or else!)

    I used to ues a heated vest and gloves in NJ, never had a problem with my Gen 3 bikie. Sounds like a kill switch to me.

    I got a speeding ticket in CT back in dah day, them bastards got me by Cessina and they had the whole fucking state police on the side of the road like nazis pointing the cars ova to dah shoulder. Used to love going to Super Sundays at Marcus Dairy farm...
     
  20. rchristo

    rchristo New Member

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    Marcus Dairy is up the road...an interesting experience. Never gotten a ticket on the bike...yet.

    I bought the bike in Georgia. The north GA mountains are spectacular, and not too crowded.

    thx...
     
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