Honda Recall

I just received a letter from Honda regarding a recall. The ground wire in the wiring harness could melt ! It only applies to 2002-2005 units. Their fix is for us to NOT ride the VFR at all, until they forward the paperwork for the dealer to replace the defective connector in the harness. Has anyone had this problem? Because I AM riding mine this weekend

 

yeah we got one too

Check out this tread and some others too,

http://vfrworld.com/forums/general-vfr-discussions/10582-vfr-recall.html

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=18560

a lot of folks smarter than me are on the case...

Call the phone number on your letter for some official info...

 

I got the letter too, about 2 months after the Honda shop was told and about 15 months after "Certain Conditions" happened to me, with no warning, at night and in heavy traffic (I saved the bike but I was limping for a while). If you google "VFR electrical problems" you'll find this shit going on for YEARS and with 4th and 5thG VFRs so Honda suddenly determining this is a problem now really screws with my inner peace and traquility. The local Honda shop, having had the exact same thing happen to an 04 VFR (mine's an 05) 6 months before my burnout, took 30 minutes to find the problem, namely a partly melted central ground clip in the main harness, NOT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE FRONT SUB-HARNESS AND THE MAIN HARNESS, complete with incinerated contacts. You see, the various grounds come together in this central clip then from the clip to final ground, the load from clip to frame handled by 2-count 'em-TWO 16 GAUGE WIRES. Please note this clip is not in the wiring schematic. Can you say "DESIGN FLAW"? After 3 weeks downtime the Lady got a new harness (THANK you HPP) with NO DESIGN CHANGE to the ground set up, the shop tech telling me Honda was "investigating the matter" but in the meantime "Certain Conditions" could happen again. I took no chances and built a dedicated ground for the front sub-harness (I didn't touch the main harness), going from the FSH straight to the frame ground point. So now the FSH has a ground with a load limit of 388 watts (anticipated max load based on the specs is 250 watts) and the flawed main harness ground has that much less load to deal with. Bottom line, as is, your VFR could shut down with no warning and leave you in a real bad spot.

 

Hey everybody...thanks for the read. I know now what I have done is going to be fine. Thanks again for the fix to the problem.

 

the above posts are out dated. Take your bike in and get the recall work done by Honda its no cost to u a new sub harness is installed to take load away from blue connector and new power cable to battery.if you v modified blue connector it wont affect recall work. the complete service procedure can be downloaded from vfrd if you cant find it send me a pm and ill email it to u its a fairly large file.

 

Yep, I had the work done by a dealer. No big deal.

 

You'll find some other rider experiences with this in some threads elsewhere on the page.
I found out about the recall on my '04 when I bought the bike used.
They inspect the wiring harness, and replace part of it. If the connector has already been damaged, they replace another portion, also. My local dealer ordered the recall part, then I took the bike in, and they replaced it. My dealer doesn't do appointments so I had to leave the bike to get in line for service, and it took 8 business days. I hope your dealer is better. All is done at Honda's expense.
I haven't seen anyone on this page say that theirs was actually damaged.
Hope this helps.

 

Yeah, I have had several Honda vehicles and some have had recalls and they footed the bill but it still stinks to be left on the side of the road in the middle of the night just traveling at 80mph and your entire electrical system shuts you down and no lights and running power to get off the interstate...Oh I forgot the addition of the night stay in a hotel...another 120.00...But I'm glad there are others who have had similar problems and haven't wrecked...My girlfriend was on the back when this happened...Needless to say she was freaked out...we made it home the next day when I pulled the relay for the highbeams...Thanks again to the reply...ever riddin to Bridge Day...check it out at 876ft.com...let me know...take care

Brian

 

So if it goes, just pull the fuse for the high beams and it will be ok? I'm not sure if I will be able to get it done in time for my trip next week. I forgot all about it...

 

the suggestion not to ride the bike is to cover there but.
I would ride as normal, but if in abnormally hot weather maybe not use the high beems.

 

I have an 04 with 35,000 miles on the original harness. The recall work has not been done yet. Have had the fairing off and inspected the harness. All is still good and unburned. I did check with my local dealer and they can do the work, I just haven't had time to take the bike in. Still ride dailly and don't worry about it.

 

Yes I had the recall done the dealership messed my bike up They fried the battery and cause it to stall intermitantly Finally after 4 months they replaced the whole wire harness. Be very careful which dealer you go to, in the end they did do right by me. By the way it's the sub harness right side of the bike. Goodluck and ridesafe!!

 

Well I just dropped her off. Should be done in a couple 3 days. Murphy's law says they screw it all up and I miss my cross country trip next week.

 

Hey mate all will go well ! Don't sweat the small shite!

 

greetings

A chronic issue since 1986. See the electrosport.com article on known issues with this engineering flaw.

H2

 

The pull of the relay for the lights is only a temp fix...it got me home for the short trip but i did the mod for the wire harness with a new ground and a new heavy duty fuse holder...i have a scheduled appointment for the replacement of the lower harness so both will be taken care of...this did get me home but since i modified everything the bike has been running great...knock on wood...heres to breaking 40,000 miles in just a month on my 02...

 

yes I agree Ive been through more 30 amp fuses and have had a few meltdowns far far from home the chopper man in Arlington saved my ass Earl god bless and 2nd time Monroe Yamaha awesome shop I still have the gremlin only not as cute as gizmo was and Im really pissed off having owned at least 30 hondas Im about to purchase something else .60000 km it should just be broken in not breaking down . If it burns Ill let it still in love though will trade it in I guess. peace