FI light coming on and off

Hey guys, need some help here..

As for the bike, 99 VFR800 and the FI light will go on and off. Got it serviced, they cleaned out a clogged sensor and cleaned up corroded contacts and cleared all codes.. couple hundred miles driven and the light comes back on and the bike backfires and pops and runs like crap until i restart it then its fine.. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Any help much appreciated, the bike does have an aftermarket pipe that is not baffled so I am running pretty much open exhaust. Thanks guys!

 

I think the flashing FI light is an error code. You can Google that and find out what the different flash sequences mean. Then go from there.

 

Thank you for the reply, it doesnt flash but it comes on solid and if i restart the bike it will go off..

 

On mine, one of the lights comes on at start up for several seconds and does not go out until I ride off. Off hand, I just don't recall if it is the FI light or the ABS light. It very well may be the FI which is normal apparently.

 

hmm idk.. never used to go on and my main concern is how rough it can run and with it backfiring and all and even stalling.. definitely frustrating after spending $380 on servicing it and already having another issue

 

Other than the flashing of the light, what were the original symptoms. Were they the same as what you are experiencing now or something different? If they are the same, then go back to where you parted with your hard earned money and tell them they have taken $380 of your hard earned money in exchange for un earned effort on their part at fixing the problem. They can apply that amount against finding the problem and getting it fixed. But if it is a totally different issue, then you are looking at spending some cash.

Sorry I cannot help much more than that as I am not exactly an all know it Honda mechanic. I fumble along and get by some of the times, then pay the dealership the the rest of the time. Hopefully one of our more achieved members may step up to help out.

 

BTW. Welcome to the site. It is imperative you post up pictures of your ride, regardless of the disco FI light.

 

Thanks for all of your help man. I will get pics up soon, I love this bike and I want it to run and perform the way it should..

 

Does it have a power commander connected? If so unplug that and see if the problem restarts. There's a procedure to get the FI light to blink out the error codes, you'll have to check the shop manual on how to initiate that error sequence. The error codes should help point to a sensor, ECU or other problem. I think you can download the manual here, if not you can get it at vfrd.com.

Edit: pages 5-8 through 5-55 cover the error codes. If it's not blinking you can jumper a connector to get the ECU to flash any error codes in it's memory. Then follow the manual, there are 24 possible error codes. I'd bet it's a power commander or a bad sensor.

 

Thanks for the input. I do not have a power commander so maybe it is a bad sensor. I brought it back to the shop that did all the work and waiting on a call back, I was thinking either a bad/corroded plug or bad sensor myself... Thanks again

 

Welcome aboard.

Here's how you check your FI codes.

Put the bike on the side stand. Start her up, and the FI light should blink. Count the blinks. One long blink (say one second) is the equivalent of 10 short blinks. So if you get one long and 4 short, then we'd need to search for code 14.

If that fails:

Under your seat, left side, should be an empty plug. That's your system service check. Leave the bike OFF. Short the system by using a jumper wire (i.e. a paperclip of other small piece of wire). Now turn your ignition on (without starting the bike). The light should blink again.

To DELETE any stored codes:

Turn everything off. Leave the jumper wire in the clip. Turn your ignition key (not starting the bike). Remove the jumper wire while the key is turned. The FI light should now light steadily for about 5 seconds. While its lit, you need to reinstall the jumper wire. that should clear all your codes.

Now that you can do that, here's my story: At one point, over the course of about 6 months, i was getting all different codes. First it was my speed sensor. So I'd clear the code, reset the speed sensor, clean all the contacts, etc. etc. Everything was great for "X" days. Then I'd get a code again. Now its for the MAP sensor. So I go thru the same ordeal. "X" days later I get another new code. Now its my BARO sensor.

You get the idea. I was getting code after code, and I was cleaning terminals and resetting codes over and over again.

It turns out my bike was subject to the dreaded Regulator/Rectifier failure. If you aren't familiar with the R/R, then use the search function on this site. There are TONS of threads on it.

Lo-and-behold, once I changed out my R/R and all the crispy fried wires and plugs associated with it, I haven't seen an FI code pop up in over 2 years. And mind you, when any of those codes showed up, there was never anything noticeably wrong with my bike. I know you talked about popping in your exhaust, so I can't say if that's related.

But if you own a 99 VFR and haven't had the R/R and stator checked from top to bottom, you're bound to have problems.

 

you guys are all awesome for helping I appreciate it a lot.

dealer is telling me it was one of the 2 atmospheric pressure sensors, the same sensor that is $200.. brought it back today now theyre saying its both of these sensors, one for inner and the other for outer air pressure? throttle body related IDK. now the sensor is $350 and theyre saying the bike is throwing the code for both now. any help much appreciated of course thanks guys!

PS ill get pics up here soon lol

 

Ask them specifically how many times the FI light blinks in service mode.

Check out this thread on VFRD.
FI Light - How To Read Error Codes - Maintenance Guides - VFR Discussion
There is no error code for "atmospheric pressure sensor". There is one for Intake Air Temp.
I'd get the bike from the stealership and get what it needs off ebay cheap.

 

Go back and read my post #12. These are strinkingly similar symptoms my bike was having, and it was all tied to the R/R. The moment I fixed/changed that, ALL of my FI codes went away - Speed sensor, MAP sensor, BARO Sensor, Throttle Body...

Your throwing your money away until you check the R/R and all its components.

 

Thanks again guys, I replaced the map sensor and baro sensor and its been running fine since! time to post up some pics of my bike now

 

Glad it worked out, that's the important thing.

That may be the first time I've ever heard of both a map and baro sensor failing simultaneously. Guess there's always a first...

Go enjoy your ride.

 

FI light came back lol so I replaced the r/r and doesn't seem to have fixed my problem… maybe the used map and baro sensors failed? Anyone know where I can find these for less than $350?

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but how about some details on the R/R replacement. What make/model did you go with? Is it MOSFET? From a reputable place or E'bay? Did you install a VFRness or similar? Did you check ALL the wires from the stator and such? Did you solder or clip them together? What are the voltage readings you get now at: off; idle and 5k rpm? Did you clear the codes?

There are hundreds (thousands?) of people on this board that have suffered R/R failure. You might be the first person that I can recall hearing about a simultaneous failed BARO and MAP sensor. To be the first person to have it fail, then replace it and have it fail again? I ain't buying it. (Unless you have a some other short causing these parts to fry).

I'd also be giving your dealer an earful. From what I can tell, you've been there twice, dropped $380, and you still have the problem?

If I were a betting man, I'm still laying money that the root problem lies within your R/R.

 

+1 on checking your voltage measurements. These bikes need a solid and steady supply of electricity to operate correctly. Low, High, or Fluctuating voltage will play havoc on your sanity and wallet.