Arghh - ANOTHER prob - Engine cutting out when put into gear

[Tempest]

Methinks there's a bloody curse on me and Firestorms.

As you may know, just yesterday I fitted a new Yamaha R1 Regulator as the old one was burned out and was making my battery die.

Well, I fitted the above item, all working fine.

So (as the sun's out) got on my bike for a ride, all ready to go, clutch in, clicked into gear. Engine Cut''s out!

Ehhhh?

check side stand (I have fallen foul of that before) Yes, it's up, ok, try again, Engine starts, clutch in, click into gear. Engine Cuts Out.

Oh for *ucks sake !!!!

Then noticed, the yellow light for the stand down was not coming on (odd, it used to - 4 days ago, the last time I rode the bike)

Looked under the seat at that stupid plastic thing with all the connectors inside it. (seems oily, dunno why) so pulled ALL the connectors apart and wobbled them (keeping an eye on the yellow light)

Nope, nothing.

So took the swivel switch off the stand, and twisted it around and pressed it in a bit, ah-ha, the light came on, but a very iffy, not very positive on.

Thought, may be some crap in the swivel so gave it a good cleaning with engine cleaner and got all the grease and grit and stuff off, it, turning it around many times, and it got better.

Fitted back on bike, and seems ok (ish)

When the bike is upright the switch/dashboard yellow light works fine.
As you lean the bike onto the stand (and the stand kinda moves sideways as the weight of the bike goes onto it) the yellow light goes off.

Ok, I thought, not perfect, but works on, when the bikes upright.

Biking gear back on, started up 1st try, clutch in, into gear. Engine Cuts Out!!!

Arghhhhhh

I feel like Basil Faulty and going and getting a branch and giving it a dam good thrashing!

Now, I've not actually touched ANYTHING over the last few days, when fitting the regulator, apart from just moving some wires about (in that cluster of connectors directly behind the seat)

I know there's a switch on the clutch level, but I've been no where near that.

As I was straining the battery (when the regulator was shot) I'm just wondering is some fuse has blown, or somethings kicked out, or come loose.

Any ideas what I should check out 1st?

Or could it all be down to that rotating swtich on the side stand?

But, is the light is OFF that means the bike should think the stand is UP so if anything it should allow me to ride with the stand down if there was any thought.

So I'm buggered AGAIN!!!!

Pray this is the last thing to sort.

Help

[Tempest]

Or to put in in just 1 line (without all the hair pulling out anger!)

What is lighty to be at fault (and what can I check) if the engine cuts out as soon as I put the bike into gear?

Fuses, Connectors, Switches?

Thanks.

[Stratman]

I was having problems with the bike cutting out after a few miles. Sometimes it would, sometimes it wouldn't. Checked fuel etc. The, took to dealers as I couldn't check anymore. Mechanic couldn't find anything until he went to put the sidestand down in neutral and she cut out. Was a faulty neutral switch and I had been nowhere near there at all!

I am not sure if the sidestand switch is separate or the same, but sounds like one of them needs replacing.

[Tempest]

Thanks for the reply.

As far as I'm aware the bike always cuts out if you're in gear, hold the clutch in and put the stand down.

I've fallen for that myself a few times when parking the bike before putting the bike into neutral.

I know if the stand is down and you pull the clutch and click into gear the engine will cut out (to avoid you riding off with the stand down)

But (as i said) now, even with the stand UP (and the yellow light on the dash off) it will still cut out when I put it into gear.

Perhaps it thinks the stand is still down?

[alan]

Does the bike jerk forward as though you have stalled it when you put in gear.

[chaz]

with the boys bandit we both rode it the day before, went to start it next day and it wouldnt start. after a hundred quids worth of 2nd hand electrical components I bit the bullet and paid a dealer to look at it.
turned out to be a duff wire near the headstock, resistance checked out ok but wouldnt take the voltage. garage told me I wouldnt have found it as they nearly missed it as they checked resistance as well!

guess you got a dodgy wire in there, the bandit was a 1997 so looks like wiring gets iffy 10 years old or so.
I would get some electrical contact cleaner , a ohm meter and tape and connections and start looking.
a circuit diagram would help too.

of course then it could be a dodgy sidestand switch as they are situated low down in the wet and crap!! try bypassing it.

[Tempest]

Does the bike jerk forward as though you have stalled it when you put in gear.

Not noticably no.

It's just the normal "Clunk" as it goes into 1st gear, then the engine dies instantly.

No lurching forward.

[Tempest]

with the boys bandit we both rode it the day before, went to start it next day and it wouldnt start. after a hundred quids worth of 2nd hand electrical components I bit the bullet and paid a dealer to look at it.
turned out to be a duff wire near the headstock, resistance checked out ok but wouldnt take the voltage. garage told me I wouldnt have found it as they nearly missed it as they checked resistance as well!

guess you got a dodgy wire in there, the bandit was a 1997 so looks like wiring gets iffy 10 years old or so.
I would get some electrical contact cleaner , a ohm meter and tape and connections and start looking.
a circuit diagram would help too.

of course then it could be a dodgy sidestand switch as they are situated low down in the wet and crap!! try bypassing it.

Thanks.
Just odd how it was fine the last time it was rode, then off road 3 days whilst the regulator was in the post to me.
New regulator fitted and now this problem

I can't see what a regulator change would have to do with this.
Apart from me disturbing the wiring.

I'll have to find out how to bypass the stand switch as it may just be this.

[Tempest]

Looking at this diagram:



If I just connect the two wires (circled in RED) then that should bypass the Stand Switch.... Yes?

Or just connect the Green/White wire on the Ignition Control Module to Earth (bike frame) then it would be the same thing. As the bike would then think the stand is up all the time.

Anyone Agree

[chaz]

read the top paragraph of mine again, next day it wouldnt start, didnt touch it!!

join the two wires as you say, the third is only to the light then earth thru the case.
from what Ive read, was it on here? the ecu's do have a problem and someone said fit a R1 one as they are better and more reliable, correct me if Im wrong

[Tempest]

Little update:

(Always good to run thru this stuff so people in the future can do searches and find out about issues they may have)

Ahem...............

Anyhow, unplugged the GREEN connector under the seat (behind the fuel tank) as this is the one for the side stand switch.


Connected the Green (Earth) and the Green and White (Signal) together, and the bike WILL start, even if in gear with the clutch in.

So, 100% definate, all that's wrong is the side stand switch is not connecting correctly.

I can only think there are 2 reasons for this.

1: It's the original one from 1997 so (like many bikes here) it's probably getting a bit worn out by now.

2: I've have a good clean around the area and sprayed lots of degreasing engine cleaner all over it to clean it a couple of weeks agom which has finished it off.

It does work, but only if you wobble the switch around a bit.
Basically it's worn out.

Here's the little sucker:









I've just go to bite the bullet and replace it.

New one from P&H = £46. Ho ho ho. We're not going to pay that.

So, it's David silver or Ebay.

I know this is the same switch fitted to many honda's (around the same age) but no idea which models carry the exact same switch.

==== EDIT ====

If only I could get it apart, and prob mend the insides, but it appears to be all pressed together, and I can't get the thing apart

[chaz]

what you have to remember is that the storm only has a side stand and all the weight stays on the switch when parked, so can move after a period of time.
good to find the cause , wish it had been that easy on the bandit.

have you been on bikebandit? they have microfiches online and you could check out part numbers there for different Hondas.

[Stormin Ben]

Tempest,
I wouldn't bother buying a replacement switch if I were you

From the look of your lifeline you'll not be round long enough to use it!!


JOKE -I have no knowledge of palm reading at all -JOKE

[Tempest]

what you have to remember is that the storm only has a side stand and all the weight stays on the switch when parked, so can move after a period of time.
good to find the cause , wish it had been that easy on the bandit.

have you been on bikebandit? they have microfiches online and you could check out part numbers there for different Hondas.

No, never heard of BikeBandit. Will take a look.

On the subject of the stand (as you say)

Is it normal for there to be movement/give as you put the weight of the bike onto the stand?

How can I explain it?

Say, you are looking at the foot of the stand.
You put the weight of the bike down onto it, and as it takes the weight, the foot of the stand slides out a bit.

Taking up the movement between the side stand bracket and the metal it pivots on.

Not sure if I described that very well?

[Tempest]

Tempest,
I wouldn't bother buying a replacement switch if I were you

From the look of your lifeline you'll not be round long enough to use it!!


JOKE -I have no knowledge of palm reading at all -JOKE

Thanks Ben

Actually I recall in the past (when I say about such things) thinking my life line was pretty good.
If you believe in any of that!