07 S4R died while riding - no power to ignition, please help

[Chriskups]

 Hi All,

Without any warning at all my 07 S4R just died on me while out for a ride yesterday. There was no warning signs and the bike was running faultlessly until then.
There is absolutely no power going to the ignition, turn the key and NOTHING! No dash, no fuel priming, no funny noises, absolutely nothing! The really strange thing is that the speedometer is stuck at 30km/h! I checked all the fuses in the fuse box - they all still in tact, checked the battery connections - all tight, checked all wires and connections I could for any loose ones or dodgy looking ones and all seems fine...!?!!?

Has anyone had a similar problem? Any input into diagnoses would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Chris

[ducpainter]

Did you check the large 30 amp main fuse near the battery?

[Chriskups]

Hmm no I didn't know of such a fuse... I didn't see anything glaringly obvious when I was poking about... so which side of the battery? Near the side where the leads come off it?
If that fuse is blown do you know what might have caused that? Is there a potentially bigger underlying problem? Or just a simple fuse malfunction?
I have unfortunately flown out of the state today so will have to check that when I get home on the weekend:)

[ducpainter]

That fuse protects the charging system, and is in the positive battery lead. It should have a plastic cover which is why you didn't notice it.

It could be a defective fuse, or it may be a sign of a problem with the R/R, the alternator, or harness. Electrical problems are difficult to diagnose in person never mind over the internet.

See if it's bad and if it blows repeatedly and we'll go from there.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

That fuse protects the charging system, and is in the positive battery lead. It should have a plastic cover which is why you didn't notice it.

It could be a defective fuse, or it may be a sign of a problem with the R/R, the alternator, or harness. Electrical problems are difficult to diagnose in person never mind over the internet.

See if it's bad and if it blows repeatedly and we'll go from there.

+1 to what Ducpainter said. After checking the fuse, the R/R might be your next stop.  Similar thing happened to me and it was because my R/R was kaputz.

[Chriskups]

Cheers mate, I appreciate your help! . Whats an R/R? Is that the Volage Regulator? Apologies for the dumb questions...

[ducpainter]

Cheers mate, I appreciate your help! . Whats an R/R? Is that the Volage Regulator? Apologies for the dumb questions...

R/R = regulator/rectifier. Serves the same purpose as a regulator but has the AC to DC rectifier built in.

Cars typically have the rectifier in the alternator.

[Heath]

Hmm no I didn't know of such a fuse... I didn't see anything glaringly obvious when I was poking about... so which side of the battery? Near the side where the leads come off it?
If that fuse is blown do you know what might have caused that? Is there a potentially bigger underlying problem? Or just a simple fuse malfunction?
I have unfortunately flown out of the state today so will have to check that when I get home on the weekend:)

#21

[Chriskups]

Okay, so i checked the main 30 amp fuse and sure enough it was blown. When I put a new fuse in it sparked and blew before i could even get it in properly!! 

What would be causing that and what is the next step in the self diagnosis (I understand its practically impossible to diagnose an electrical problem over the net but if I could eliminate a few things before taking it to the shop (which is 200km away!) it would save them having to do the same thing at $120 an hour)

Thanks once again

[Howie]

You have a short.  First, disconnect the regulator and try a new fuse to rule the regulator out.  Then get out the wiring diagram and start tracing.

[suzyj]

Specifically check the wiring to the r/r. If its melted together it'll blow this fuse and no others.

[Chriskups]

Managed to get a chance to look at the bike again this arvo and made some progress. Unplugged the r/r and put a new fuse in and it didn't blow! . Had power to ignition and the engine started (only let it run for one second just in case not havin the r/r connected caused issues). Tried to plug the r/r in again and it sparked, so it definitely is the r/r!

Thanks for your all your help everyone!

Next question is what would be the best r/r for an 07 S4R? There seems to be a bit of hype surrounding the shindengen unit. Are they easy to do a DIY install?

Thanks all.

[Howie]

Shindengen is a known high quality unit, but requires modification.  Ricks http://ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/part/10-008H/MDZEdWM5MTZNb25zdGVyTVM0Ug==  is also MOSFET and a direct replacement.  Yeah, I know, 1 year off, but it is the same.  Is the Rick's Hot Shot as good as the Shindengen?  Dunno.

[Chriskups]

Thanks Howie!

Think I am going to give that Hot Shot unit a go! Do you know if they ship to Australia?

Has anyone else used the Hot Shot unit and if so whats their opinion on it??

[TitanMonsterS4R]

Has anyone else used the Hot Shot unit and if so whats their opinion on it??

Hi Chris - installed the Hot Shot unit from Rick's Motorsports in my 02 S4 and 06 S4R.  Both have not let me down and it runs a decent amount cooler than the OEM one.  It's a tad smaller and as most have said it's a direct plug in.  Will shoot you some pics of it in stalled in my S4R later today if you'd like.