If it walks like an R/R failure, and quacks like an R/R failure...

Once again, I'll say go with Mello's advise.

My R/R had been changed as well prior to my purchase of the bike. At first glance, all my wiring seem OK. But taking all of 3-5 minutes to actually start looking at wires and pulling apart those spade connectors told a different story.

 

Yeah... about that...

I just re-read the RR thread, and my RR says SH on it. I though SH was the MOSFET one, but it looks like it's the old model. Oh well.
More diagnosing tonight.

 

I didn't get far with "the drill". I charged the battery and got it tested, it has over 13 volts. The next step is run the bike for a few minutes, and mine won't start. Dash lights are dim, and nothing else happens. I also noticed a thin red horizontal line on my LCD dash that I don't think was there before. The clock is on, and a thin red line in a panel below that.

So I checked the fuses, and they're all good. Then I started measuring voltage at the fuses. Main is good, next 2 are good, but the rest... nothing. OK, maybe I need the key on.

I turned on the key, and something started making a faint, tick-tick-tick sound, very fast, like a relay that's... I dunno, relaying.... or not failing to relay. I'm not an electrical engineer.

So I touched things until I found what it was, and then I removed it.
I don't have a freaking clue what this thing is, but as soon as the key is on, it's ticking about 10-15 times a second, steady.

Here's what it looks like...


And here's where it was mounted, right over the passenger footpeg. I removed it, and it has 4 very shiny clean connectors inside.


So here's the question: Is this a relay of some type like maybe a fuel pump relay, and is it possible that this is the culprit, or is it more likely a symptom?

I know everyone out there is jealous because my test meter and my shop light both match my VFR. Don't be a hater. Help a brother out here.

 

There's a very fine Honda manual to answer your query.

 

Looks like the Engine Stop Relay or Fuel Cut Relay; can't tell for sure. You can download the Service Manual here on the forum.

 

OK, thanks guys!! I have the service manual for it, but its hard to look something up when you don't know what it is.
I searched online for parts diagrams of that area, but no joy. I was wondering if it was the fuel pump relay.

Funny thing is, the only time I've tipped it was last December- dropped it at 2 miles an hour doing a u-turn.

So can this thing be reset, or does it have to be replaced?? I'm thinking replaced, but that makes little sense if you dump your bike while on a road trip.
I'll check the manual and see what I can dig up in there.

From the diagram Rabbit posted, it looks like fuel cut relay.

 

OK, I found it in the service manual, and it says if it doesn't test correctly to replace it.
I turned the key on without the relay plugged in, and now the dash lights are bright again where they were dim before. I'm going to order a new switch.

 

$35-$50 plus shipping on the bike websites. I took the rubber cover off and found it's a Mitsubishi relay.
Mine looks EXACTLY like this. I'd post a picture of mine, but it's the same thing. I found it on ebay for $25, free shipping, and it'll be here in 4 days.

 

Well, the new relay arrived today, and I plugged it in to test it... yeah, I didn't think I'd be that lucky.
It's doing the same tick-tick-tick thing as the old one, which means they're both probably fine, and the problem is somewhere else... maybe the fuel pump, I don't know.

At the same time the relay was clicking, I could also hear a faint clicking coming from the gas tank area, so I'll check the manual and see if there's another relay in that area, and what the fuel pump looks like, and how hard it is to remove/replace.

Edit: Well, the service manual does a great job of telling how to test the fuel pump, and ruling it out or confirming that it's bad. It also looks pretty easy to replace if needed (after testing) so tomorrow I'll pull the tank off and dig in.