[johnnycactus]

every time i ride in a good downpour, the s4 seems to stop working.

goes like this- ride in rain. stop at destination. few minutes later go to go again, turn key,get lights no speedo/dash display, no fuel pump whir, no start.

i found a bit of a fix, by pulling the fuse (no 10?) thats for the engine start/fuel pump etc. go to push the fuse back in- everything works. i have changed the fuse 3 times.
took it to the dealer, but the could find nothing wrong- i was expecting a loose connection in the fuse box, but no. he thought it may be a dodgy relay. if thats the case why only in wet weather?

i've tried a method for a similar scenario, on speedfour.net- flicking the kill switch on and off numerous times, but to no avail.

anyone got any suggestions!?! getting desperate now- being in england and riding all year round means riding in the rain!

and its definately when it rains. :???:

 

[doodledog]

I recall someone else on here with that problem, A pain but go back a few months and I think you will find itand the solution, May june time I think :-D

 

[johnnycactus]

cheers doodledog

can you remember any key words to use whilst searching- been trying for 3/4 of an hour and can't find it!!!!!!! :???: :-D

 

[doodledog]

Sorry Jonney NO, Might have been linked with a bAttry chargeing link or fried fuzebox, but just remember some one pulling that fuse to make the bike start.

 

[Rik]

Johnny - have you taken a multimeter to that fusebox of yours?

 

[johnnycactus]

rik- i haven't personally but when i was at the dealers i saw him hovering over the bike with one. apparently everything was ok.

being an electrickery dunce can you give a step by step on how and what i should be looking for with the multimeter?

 

[Guest]

When Doodle said may-june he meant that is when you might find the string involved!!

I remember the string about bad damp running myself but can't find it either. :???: I think that rider had damp in the coils (similar to 70s and 80s hondas) and sprayed them (of course on the S4 they are individual coils over the plugs.)

But you are describing a global electrical system shut down. SO what about looking for a global answer? My first thought would be the ECU and battery. It shouldn't get too wet under the seat (if you have a hugger) but the airborne moisture & condensation might be enough.

So dry around your ecu very thoroughly (hair dryer on low perhaps) then - only after it is dry- spray with a water dispersant like wd40.

As regards the battery; disconnect it - dry thoroughly & vaseline around the terminals (insulating and water dispersant) then do up terminals tight, with anti-shake washers. Need to run up to heat three times now to clear the engine failure light & redo the clock but I reckon it may sort it out.

If that does not work try the dry & spray technique on the connector to the clocks behind the pixie hat.

good luck at least it is a dry winter in Cambridge - at least compared to Bristol :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D JonG

 

[johnnycactus]

cheers for the extra info johnny,
yep, had it pretty good so far weather wise- cool but dry! its been a bit damp in the mornings on the way to work but otherwise not bad.

of course spent hours cleaning the ol girl up on sunday (after a long wkend in ipswich- funeral , wifes uncle died in a bike crash- amazing turn out on bikes though. over 100 bikers bringing the town to a standstill :-D ) only to have it rain on the way in on mon. doh! still mustn't grumble...!

any tips on where i should be sticking my multi meter. got one idea, but i can't sit down....... :razz:

 

[Rik]

Sorry to learn of your wife's uncle RIP

On 2006-11-20 00:24, johnnycactus wrote:
rik- i haven't personally but when i was at the dealers i saw him hovering over the bike with one. apparently everything was ok.

being an electrickery dunce can you give a step by step on how and what i should be looking for with the multimeter?

lcjohnny has started you off on the right road
Because you are getting a total shut down, spend some time checking the major connections such as the battery & earth lead, cleaning up as necessary and protecting terminals etc., with vaseline (or a specific dielectric grease if you're really anal :blush: )

The multimeter bit really comes into when you are actually getting the total failure as you can then check how far the power is getting.

Clip the -ve terminal to the bike frame and then try the +ve at these points:<UL>
<LI>Battery
<LI>Fuse box ignition key circuit pre fuse
<LI>Fuse box ignition key circuit post fuse
<LI>With the ignition switch on (assuming you haven't hit the kill switch.....), all ignition dependant circuits should now have power. You can now check them pre & post fuse.[/list]
Really need to look at a circuit diagram to see if a duff relay could also kill all power to the bike etc.,

Hope that makes sense and is of some use!

[ This message was edited by: Rik on 2006-11-21 12:33 ]

 

[zaner30]

Same thing happened to me today after years of riding in the rain with no problem and the relay was suggested as a fix, so that's what I'm planning on doing. Did you try a new relay and if so did it work?

Thanks,
Zane