Fuel Pump not Powering Up

sv61 · 03-01-2007, 5:48 PM

Certain times when I go to start my Blackbird, All the lights come on, but the Fuel Pump does not power up. The "FI" light stays illuminated. Sometimes, a flip of the kill switch fixes the problem, as you can hear the fuel pump cycle. Other times, the kill switch does not do a thing. Sometimes, turning the ignition key off and back on, will correct the issue. Then, there are other times, where neither seems to do a thing, and then after trying one or the other multiple times, the XX will cycle the fuel pump, the "FI" light will go out, and presto, it starts.

I have a friend with an "FI" Interceptor that will also do this on occasion. I seem to recall that my friend's ST1300 also did it once.

My XX doesn't care if it is hot, cold, or indifferent. It doesn't care if it has been ridden for 500 miles, or has been sitting for a month. The handlebars can be turned or straight. The Side stand can be up or down. The clutch can be pulled in, or not.

Again, it hasn't happened in a very long time, but with my friend's VFR doing a couple of weeks ago, I thought that I would ask.

I have had this happen on more than one occasion. Anyone else? It is one of those deals that you could take to your mechanic, and never solve it, because it isn't predictable enough. But it is concerning enough to possibly leave you stranded some day.

ANY light that anyone could shed, would be helpful.

John01XX · 03-01-2007, 6:23 PM

My bet is it is a corroded ground connection somewhere.

sv61 · 03-01-2007, 6:40 PM

That being said.

I have had two XXs, and both of them seemed to be corrosion magnets. Have you experienced this? I have owned new and used Hondas dating back to the mid 80s, and never had this issue with any other Honda. Just the XX seems to be affected.

I will continue to look into this.

Thanks very much for the suggestion.

John01XX · 03-01-2007, 8:48 PM

I had the FI light problem back in 2002 with my 2001 Bird and found a ground wire that was pretty badly corroded and green color. I changed the end lug from a copper one to a aluminum one and have not seen the problem since.

Yes it does seem to be a relatively common problem on the Birds with a corroded ground either just under tank or right by the battery on a frame ground.