Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech TBA just dies

Okay guys, I have a good one for you. While riding my 2002 TBA, the bike just dies. You know, like when you hit the kill switch. I start it right back up while I'm still moving, a couple of times it has backfired in the restart process. Haven't the foggiest what is causing the problem. Anyone out there have the same problem? Also, when riding, there is a noticable increase in vibration of the engine for about 10 seconds, then it returns to normal vibes. RPM remains the same, no engine surge, nothing. Any ideas would be a great help.

Thanks, AmyLee

Check the side stand switch.

How about a little more information? Have you done anything to the bike lately? Has it been sitting? How long before it dies? Does it start fine and idle fine?

On the vibe, what RPM? Every gear? On or off the throttle?

Without much info hard to say. I had some issues a while back with intermittent behaivior. I ended up just reseating the coil wires at the coil. Don't know if this is your problem but might be worth checking.

I had a problem just like that on another bike of mine. It would just die and then start back up. After $600 dollars at the dealer and still the same problem I finally found what was wrong. It was a bad KILL SWITCH. The thing would just short out enough to shut er down. By-pasted the switch and no more problem. Hope you find the problem. I know it can drive you crazy

Yeah, same here. Just dies, but restarts immediately without having to come to a complete stop. Quite dangerous on the road, actually. Mine started last June, and was fairly consistent for a couple of months recently, but may go thousands of miles between occurences, too. Did die at a red light once, and again once while idling on my driveway after just coming in from a ride before I shut off the key. Any and all RPMs and speeds.

I can't speak for the vibration, though. Can't relate to that.

I did quit using my kill switch - key only from now on. Maybe that's helping? It hasn't died on me in 6-8 weeks now, it seems, and I ride virtually very day. (4k miles since New Year's Day)(some winter, huh?)

At first I thought it was a fuel problem, but I now know it is electrical. I hope to see some warmer, humid weather real soon - have a hunch that that may play a role. My warranty runs out in May....

Check the battery connections. Mine did the same and I tried all the "difficult" solutions and finally I found that one of the connections were a bit loose. DOH!

List of Checks:
Battery Connections
Side Stand Switch
Kill Switch
Tank Vacuum Hose (Sometimes the check valve plugs or it gets pinched)
CDI Module

I'm guessing water in your gas. Sometimes you get bad gas at the gas station. Some stations are worse for it than others. How long has it been doing it?

Thanks for all the suggestions. We did just install a tach in January. Though we made sure all of the wires were seated thoroughly. Habuba (husband Bob) said the wiring harness was pulled pretty tight down around the kick stand sensor. He loosened them up a bit. I will check the other connections too. We go to a "Red & White" poker run this Saturday, so we will see if it hiccups on me again or not. The increased vibrations have been there through a couple of fill-ups so I dont think it is bad fuel.

Bonnyusa: The bike starts fine and runs fine. The bike has died within 5 minutes of riding to over 30 minutes. The changes are mentioned above. And it has happened both on and off throttle. On the vibe questions: the RPM has been around 4000 at those times, in fifth gear each time and on throttle. Bike doesn't really sit for too long between rides, Calif. has pretty good weather for year round riding.

Thanks heaps to all, will keep you updated.

AmyLee

A real easy check for the tank vent being obstructed is to release the gas cap right after it dies. If you hear a vacuum release, that could be your problem.

Do you knlow whether the ignition module has been replaced? '02 is the year with the unofficial recall for defective igniters. Do a search for ignition problems here and you will probably find the range of VIN numbers that were involved and the number of the buletin from the factory that called for a free replacement.

I wrote the details down on that tech bulletin for the igniters and have it in front of me.

Tech news bulletin issue #52
Dated Nov 2001
VIN numbers: 139158 - 148655

I just checked my VIN and the last six numbers are: 143458. Definately within that range. We have never replaced the module, and the bike only had 2700 miles on it when we bought it 2 years ago. That could be the problem. Will check it out

Thanks

AmyLee

PS: where do I find this Tech news bulletin issue #52?

AmyLee

Amylee
Had a similar problem to what you described, I always check the fuses first when a bike dies, especially the ignition fuse, on the TBA the second green one down, top is a spare. Anyway happened a couple of times no blown fuse, pushed it back in started, goes ok for awhile (weeks) then dies again, check fuse, ok. Thought sod this, took fuse holder off its a bit of a pain but can be done without disconnecting any of the wires, just pull it so you can see all the wires going into it, low and behold noticed the brown wire was sticking out further than the rest, you could almost see the connector part, so got a realy small thin screwdriver pushed it back in put fuse back in while everything was still hanging out, to check that it did'nt push the wire back out again, it did'nt,put it all back together, never had a problem since. It was simply a loose connection. Start with the obvious first with electrical problems. Check spades on fuse for any discolouration,or burning, usualy means its not seated properly

Andy

Hi all, Well it finally died for good. Went on that Hells Angel poker run today. (Boy do they ride faaassssttt) The bike died twice. Once going 85-90 mph, but it started right back up. Then on a twisty road going about 50 mph. At the second to last stop, the bike would not start at all. The lights all came on. Then as soon as you hit the starter button the bike went dark. You could hear some sort of relay pop also. I felt sick. Some friends came with their pickup, and we loaded her up. We did finish the run and had the tri-tip dinner. Then to top it off, when we were taking the bike out of the pickup, slowly backing down the ramp, the kick stand caught the left ramp knocking it off the tailgate. Bob lost his footing and he and the bike went toward the pavement. Our friend and I caught the bike and kept it from landing on top of Bob. The front tire was still on the tailgate. After Bob got up we all together pulled the tire down and stood her upright. No scratched paint, just the left saddlebag was scuffed on the back, and the left turn signal was slightly bent. Now we just need to figure out exactly what the main problem is. This should be fun.

AmyLee

Sure sounds like the ignitor to me.

Like piper said, check your battery and the connections. It is sounding more and more likely.

Phil, you are right on, after taking the fuel tank off and checking the wire harness installed for the new Tach, and finding nothing amiss, AmyLee reminded me to check the battery leads. After taking the battery cover off for a look see, the wiring looked good until I started wiggling wires, I then found the negitive lead loose enough to cause the problem. At this point its late so the TBA will have to wait for tomorrow night for total reassemble and test ride for conformation on the fix. Thanks for the troubleshooting. Lesson learned, always start with the battery if it's an electrical problem.
Bob

The loose battery thing got me on my car once. PRetty new car, just randomly died on me. Called the shop freakin out, they told me to check it, I did, worked fine ever since.

Glad you found it! You have to agree it's a "Doh-experience"...

I'm glad we found the problem. And to think, I could have finished my ride if we would have just checked the battery. Now my poor baby had to suffer the indignity of riding in the back of a pickup. Thanks again to everyone.

AmyLee