Engine just quit! WTF!

So there I am, it's cold out, I'm about 5 minutes into my ride and as I'm gettting onto traffic I accelerate and as I ready to change gears my engine quits!!!. As I coast there I try to start her and nothing. I then toggled the kill switch off then back on, I hear the pump make it's usual noise and then I fire her right up and drive the rest of the way with no problem.
I know I didn't accidentally bump anything to cause it to quit. One time I remember last month that I started the bike up and I swear as I turned the handlebars the engine just quit. WTF.
Help, any suggestions?
:crazy:

 

I have an '04 and last summer when I would pull the clutch in to shift gears sometimes it would die. I bumped up the idle to 1300 rpm's and it never happened again. what year is your bike?

 

Mine is an 03. I don't think the RPMs dropped below enough to die. The fact that it wouldn't start up again makes me think that maybe a kill switch? I just read a post where some one mentioned have issues and squirting a little WD-40 into the switch.
I called the local Honda dealer and had them run my VIN number to see if there were any recalls. I see here in this forum and issue that some had taken care of from a recall. I believe it was some wiring harness. I sure hope the dealers don't pretend to look up VINS just to avoid having to repair for free. Oh well I may try the WD40 and see what happens.

 

No dealer is doing anything for free. They would be reimbursed by Honda for the recall.

 

Steviee7,I've got an '03 and my bike did that exact same thing that you described. I mean exactly. Pulled over just like you did and it fired right up. Some of the '03s had a recall to replace the dash wiring harness. There was too much power going through the ground wires and they would melt,that's how it was explained to me. Remove your right side fairing panel,on the frame rail you'll find some wiring plug connectors. Pull the boot back and check the green wires in those plug connectors,make sure there's no visible evidence of burning or melting to those wires or the connector plugs. Remove your left side fairing panel,on the frame rail you'll find some more plug connectors. Pull the boot back and check the Blue wiring connector for any evidence of burning or melting. Those wires and plugs were melted on my bike. I got the recall notice and took my bike in. My local Honda dealer replaced the dash wiring harness and connector plugs under warranty. It took about a week to have the work done. I haven't had a problem with the bike since. You were right to have your Honda dealer check for any recalls on your bike.

 

Exactly. There IS a recall on this issue, no time limit, no charge. The dealer needs your VIN to check for certain it is covered, if there are any other recalls, and that it hasn't been done already. There's a kit the dealer will have to order after inspecting that coupler.

I suggest doing it. You get a new fairing subharness (contains the connector stoshmonster describes) , and some new wiring for the regulator/rectifier. One I did even required a complete harness, which was paid for parts and labor by Honda.

 

RE Engine just quit! WTF!

Had the same problem. I'd be driving down the freeway and it would just die. I would have to get off of it, wiggle the wiring harness (near the battery) and it would eventually fire up. My wiring had been "modified" by the dumb ass prev. owner. Had to have my ENTIRE wiring harness replaced for a recall. It was free but let me tell you this - serious pain in the ass!!!! Used Sharon Cycle in Sharon PA. Never again. First they had my bike for a month saying the harness was on the way. THEN they ordered the wrong one, then they misplaced (lost) visible body panel fasteners and replaced them with crappy aftermarket junk. Then denied losing them (I had photo evidence luckily). Long story short - took over 2 months of prime riding season to get it fixed. Anyway, sorry for the rant. Just make sure you go to a GOOD shop for the recall. If they look at your bike and say "WTF is that?" it's never a good sign.

J :reg:

 

I agree with the others about the recall, have it checked for sure and done if not done already. However, I had an issue with the kill switch a couple weeks back as well, so check that too. Kill switch seemed to just crap out over the winter. I cleaned it up and seems to be fine now.

My issue was the bike would not turn over, no fuel pump. I'd turn the key, get lights, horn, blinkers, all that. No pump or starter though. I screwed around with the kill switch and found that if I put it in the run position, then put pressure on it like I was going to kill it, but didn't, it worked. After a good cleaning, all good. It's worth a shot. But I do recommend the recall as well, burning wires can make for a pretty bad day lol.

Good luck
Chris

 

My VFR is an 05 and had the engine die problem too. Setting my idle to 1300+ also put an end to it.

 

Same here on my 03, just got the harness replced for free , now I have to wait til the temp gets a little warmer than 5 F. Man I'm sick of this winter crap.

 

there is another problem you might look at. as you raise fuel tank to play with what ever down there, like me K&N filter with air box rework. A SMALL VAC. HOSE on shut off valve pops off. its behind air filter box . the recall for my 06 was to install longer hose. heat will make it smaller. hope this helps.

 

Pobably be a good move to have this work done now...before peak season sets in for MC dealers.

 

Guys, Gday Steve From Aus,my 2002 Cut Out Like This Last Week.i,ve Had The Loom Warranty Replacement Done 1000k,s Back?any Thoughts On What It Could Be.ran Fine Before The Loom Was Replaced.

 

Any Takers With Some Help?

 

Recommend to return to the shop that did the work and have them recheck it.

 

I agree with the above, if a dealer had his hand in there, I'd bring it back to them and let them know you're now having issues after their work is done. If that doesn't get you anywhere, best advise I can give, not being really stong with electrical stuff, is to check that on off switch. Mine crapped out just like that. It's worth a shot, check the easy stuff first!

 

Im sure its the 30 amp connector from the battery. it becomes hot and then brittle over time.It was a recall.

 

the dealer is not being overly helpful.i will have to keep trying i guess.

 

Not all nations necessarily have the same recall as we do here in the US. First off, check your battery terminals make sure they're tight...then follow the ground cable to where it bolts on the frame...underneath the rear part of the tank/front part of the seat. Some of that wiring gets replaced with the recall here in the US. It's possible the tech forgot to tighten a ground or something.

Next read Stoshmonster's post from earlier in this thread...check those connectors carefully and make sure everything is plugged in all the way...check for any melting on the blue coupler on the left side of the bike.

 

Well, my local dealer called Honda of America and said they can't do anything about my recall since mine was from Canada. I called H of Canada and told them this. THey said they would call my local dealer. (and then what?) I can only hope that my local dealer will call me soon and say that Canada will pay to have it taken care of. I really don't want to get a lawyer involved but this is a major safety issue. I lived the scare of being in traffic went it died. I bet a lawyer would love this case. The fact that HOA and HOC are acting like they're not related just pisses me off. The HoC rep told me that Honda cars are different because of the snowbirds vacationing down here. That's just absurd. Honda is Honda in my eyes. I may have to drive my bike up to Canada, just kidding, (i hope)