Electrical gremlins

[angler]

I haven't ridden in about a month.  Bike is a 2005 S2R800.  It is stored outside, sometimes covered, sometimes not.  It's a bike after all......

Well today I rode for about 30 miles - out for lunch and a romp through Rock Creek Park.  On the way back, my oil pressure light came on very faintly at first.  I stopped, checked the oil (fine), checked the wires for the sender, unplugged and replugged the sender, checked for obvious signs of oil loss and the light stayed on.  So I kept riding home.  I hit a bump and the light went off.  Then came back on.  So I hit the top of the gauge pod and it went out and stayed out (still lights during the start sequence as it should).  About this time I noticed my immobilizer light was on, but very, very faintly.  It also seemed to be white instead of the normal yellow.  That never went off.  Got home, turned it off and the immobilizer flashes and the bike starts back up.

What type of gremlin is this? 

[ducpainter]

I haven't ridden in about a month.  Bike is a 2005 S2R800.  It is stored outside, sometimes covered, sometimes not.  It's a bike after all......

Well today I rode for about 30 miles - out for lunch and a romp through Rock Creek Park.  On the way back, my oil pressure light came on very faintly at first.  I stopped, checked the oil (fine), checked the wires for the sender, unplugged and replugged the sender, checked for obvious signs of oil loss and the light stayed on.  So I kept riding home.  I hit a bump and the light went off.  Then came back on.  So I hit the top of the gauge pod and it went out and stayed out (still lights during the start sequence as it should).  About this time I noticed my immobilizer light was on, but very, very faintly.  It also seemed to be white instead of the normal yellow.  That never went off.  Got home, turned it off and the immobilizer flashes and the bike starts back up.

What type of gremlin is this? 

Moisture in the connector at the oil pressure sender.

Pull the boot and dry it out

[angler]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I would have thought water in the gauge pod, since hitting the pod stopped it and because my immobilizer light is on weakly.  I will try drying out the plug and will keep an eye on it.

[ducpainter]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I would have thought water in the gauge pod, since hitting the pod stopped it and because my immobilizer light is on weakly.  I will try drying out the plug and will keep an eye on it.

I suppose that's possible as the gauges can be an issue.

The oil light on is pretty common for bikes that spend time outside.

You might want to consider some sort of cover for the gauges.

[angler]

Good point.  I thought about baggin' them on the ride home.....

[lofty55]

You could open up the cluster and clean it. (CAREFULLY) I have done it, chasing my own gremlins. Its not so bad. Something may be contacting where it should not. All kinds of minerals and crud get left behind from moisture.

[accrocker]

I had the same issue with water in the gauge pod. A good way to fix it is stick the entire cluster in a bowl of DRY!!!! white rice. The rice acts as a dessicant and dries out the gauges. This will prevent you from having to open up the cluster which may or may not result in a torn gasket depending on how gentle you can be when pulling the cover apart.

[rgramjet]

For 4 cases of Pilsner Urquell, Ill trade you a Stack on cabinet AND a weatherproof motorcycle cover!

[Drunken Monkey]

A good way to fix it is stick the entire cluster in a bowl of DRY!!!! white rice.

I've saved two cell phones after "pool" incidents using this technique.

[angler]

For 4 cases of Pilsner Urquell, Ill trade you a Stack on cabinet AND a weatherproof motorcycle cover!

Too funny!  I have a cover, it just doesn't always make it back on the bike before a shower.  Yeah, I'm kinda lazy.....

That cabinet still up for grabs?  Which one is it?

[angler]

I had the same issue with water in the gauge pod. A good way to fix it is stick the entire cluster in a bowl of DRY!!!! white rice. The rice acts as a dessicant and dries out the gauges. This will prevent you from having to open up the cluster which may or may not result in a torn gasket depending on how gentle you can be when pulling the cover apart.

Good call. I may actually have BIG package of bead dessicant lying around somewhere.....

I've saved two cell phones after "pool" incidents using this technique.

Wish it had worked for my 5 day old Palm Pixie that took a swim with me when I rolled my canoe.......

[Drunken Monkey]

Wish it had worked for my 5 day old Palm Pixie that took a swim with me when I rolled my canoe.......

The key is to pull the battery, asap. Of course some devices (coughIPhonecough) require a soldering iron to remove the battery

[angler]

The key is to pull the battery, asap. Of course some devices (coughIPhonecough) require a soldering iron to remove the battery

And therein lies the problem.  I pulled the batt immediately, but I think I put it back in way too soon and tried to work the phone (once the visible water was gone in like 4 hours).  I brought it home and riced it.  Still no workie.  I can get the phone to turn on, but the touch screen won't respond.  Everything else works. 

[angler]

Thanks again everyone.  I left it parked in the sun yesterday and dried out the oil sender connector.  Rode it today and no gremlins.  I'll pick up some dielectric grease next time I'm at the parts store.