Help!!! 2000 RSV MM Limited Engine Dies While Riding

[marharpikon]

Hi all,

 

New member here. I have a 2000 RSV that had developed a very odd issue. While riding engine stops like there is an electrical shutoff happening. Lights and everything stay on like normal. While I'm coasting after it loses all power I notice that the check engine light has come on and stays lit for a few seconds then goes out. It does not flash. After a few seconds it goes out then I can pop the clutch out on the bike and it starts again. Has happened exactly like this a few times now. Starts, idles and revs fine. Only does this while riding. Its like whatever is making the light turn on cuts the ignition then after a second or two it corrects itself then lets the ignition fire again. Dont think misfire since engine light does not flash a code or anything. Anyone ever hear of a problem like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[djh3]

So to clarify the engine stops dead. Not a slow stumble til it quits. I would say if it is dead stop something electrical is getting hot and loosing connection. I have had ignition pickups do this on a car. If its the stumble to stop think fuel.

[marharpikon]

Not a stumble...just like hitting the kill switch then turning it back on after a couple seconds. Odd thing to me is the check engine light coming on and not flashing a code. It comes on when the engine shuts off and stays on for a couple seconds. While light is on the bike will not fire. As soon as the light goes out the bike starts firing again.

[bongobobny]

I just want to check for understanding, by the engine warning light, are you referring to the light on the left side in the middle on the cassette door side? That will help me to analyze from the wiring schematic just what the possible issue may be...

[marharpikon]

That is the light I am referring to. Service manual says that it is the "Engine Trouble" light. It doesnt flash at all giving me a code. According to my reading in the manual there are a lot of things that can make this light activate but the bike is supposed to flash the light a certain number of times to indicate what part of the circuitry caused it. The bike is not doing that...just light coming on solid when engine shuts off then light shutting off about 2-3 seconds later and engine starts firing again. This has only happened to me while riding it and never while the bike is just sitting still idling. I dont think heating up has anything to do with it because yesterday it did it to me about a mile after I left home in 40 degree weather. I purposely didnt let it warm up first just to check that. Bike runs fine other than shutting off intermittently. Idles fine, revs fine and has plenty of power when going through the gears. Ive tested the kickstand switch and ive let it starve for fuel by shutting off peacock and neither of these turn on the light when the engine shuts off. Havent figured a good way out to test the bank angle switch yet.

[bongobobny]

OK!

 

The signal for the engine light comes directly from the ignition module. I'm a little hesitant to blame the module itself as there are other conditions that can cause the module to shut down such as a bad kickstand switch, bad clutch switch, bad start circuit cut-off relay, and so on!

 

This one is going to be a little difficult to troubleshoot due to the intermittency issue. There are a few things like the kickstand switch that can be jumpered out to try to eliminate things but with each part there comes complications because you will be overriding some very important safety issues that you need to be aware of.

 

I am kind of doubting there is an issue with any of your coils because you would have to have all 4 go bad at once to kill the bike. If just one or even two go out, the bike will still keep running but not as good. Actually, if only one goes out you may not even notice anything is bad. Two definitely makes the bike run like crap!

 

To answer your first question, no, this is not a common issue at all. If you like I will give you a step by step procedure to begin eliminating the problem but it is going to be a long drawn out ordeal...

[djh3]

If I remember right the easiest to by pas to chaeck is the side stand switch. Funny I use to sometimes cuss the switch when I had the venture, but it was nice. My USA spec Victory dont have one and I find myself nervous everytime I put it in neutral and get off. The EU bikes have one.

[Rafterd]

Next time it does that, wiggle the ignition switch maybe off then on and see what happens. Could be a bad switch.

[marharpikon]

Took tank, seats and side covers off...commenced checking wires, relays, fuses, etc. Wiggled stuff, tapped components with a screwdriver thinking maybe the vibrations of riding might be a contributing factor. No luck. Also bypassed the side stand switch. No luck there either. Unplugged the emergency stop switch (tilt switch) and the bike shut off but flashed the code. Did the same with the TPS. Bike didnt shut off but flashed the code. Whatever is happening while I'm riding is not flashing a code at all. Got me stumped. Just cannot duplicate the problem while the bike is sitting still. Also tapped and wiggled the wires and key in the ignition switch. No luck. I appreciate all the help and ideas. This is a hard one to crack.

[Winddancer]

marharpikon Did you ever figure this out??

I seem to be having a similar issue.

I went to ride in this morning and went a whole 50ft before the engine just died, lights went out, but came back on in the blink of an eye, hit the starter and fired right up, to die 10 ft later, same deal, total power loss for a millisecond then all back on.

I made it about 100 yrds from my house and then turned around, that 200 yrd trip I lost power at least 10 or more times.

each time it did happen the engine and did come on, but all the lights that usually come on when you first turn the key on came on..

since it was 230am and I needed to get to work, I took another bike, but I think my first thing to check is the ignition..

please let me know if you actually figured out what it was, thank you..

Chuck

[marharpikon]

Oddly enough I think I found the problem....due to another issue. Found another problem in that the headlight was burning both the high and low beams at the same time. Traced it to the left handlebar controls. Found a solder joint that had broken loose on the rocker switch for the high beam and shorting there. Since I fixed that I havent had the bike shut off on me. Before it would shut off every time I rode it at least by 2 miles or so. Now ive ridden it at least a thousand miles with no issues at all. Weird. Your issues to me sounds like the ignition switch problem I have seen described in the forum.