Reset the F1 fault code.

[trousersnake01]

I need some advice please from anyone that has technical know how of this fabulous bike of ours.

Basically, my bike packed up and gave the the F1 warning light with the code for cam shaft censors.

My bike was a non start and it got picked up from home and got taken into a local bike dealer.

He has the software and lead to plug into the bike which apparently  confirmed a fault with the censors.

Both were replaced and one found to be duff.

However, he is unable to turn the fault off for the front censor and the bike is still showing the F1 fault light and a non start.

Before I get him to admit defeat, pay him for what he's done and get it picked up by a Kawasaki dealer, (as he is a pretty decent bloke) is there anything that anyone can think of as why he can't reset the bloody thing.

Its an 09 with 18k on the clock.

I just wish it got picked up by Kawasaki first of all and suffered their costs as it would have probably been cheaper by now.

Help please.........

[alibx11]

I may not be much help mate, was looking up the service manual and it states that once the fault has been fixed the F1 indicator will go out but the fault code will be stored in the main ECU memory to preserve a problem history.

Would make me wonder if the sensor problem has been fixed, does the bike turn over? or will it turn over but just not start?

According to the manual if it won't turn over it may be the crankshaft sensor rather than the camshaft sensors.

Hard to diagnose faults like that without checking each sensor fitted was working correctly upon fitting and then checking all wiring connections and connectivity which can workout expensive in labour terms.

[trousersnake01]

It turns over fine but won't start

[alibx11]

May sound silly but has he or you disconnected the battery for 30 mins or so and then reconnected it and tried again?

Reason I ask is because it has worked on some of the cars I work on.. for some reason just disconnecting the battery for a short time and then reconnecting it seems to reset the ecu and make it run a new system check of components.

Worth a try before you go to a lot of expense looking for something else.

[Richard]

 

[jonathan]

As soon as the fault is remedied the error will clear itself. It does not have to be reset. There is something else going on.

[trousersnake01]

John, are you positive on that

[jonathan]

Yes. I had an intermittent wiring problem that would cause an FI error and the bike to quit. After a few minutes the bike would start again and I would drive off. It was eventually fixed properly but the point is that I did not reset anything after these incidents before driving away.

[trousersnake01]

Thats interesting. Mine came on about 2 months ago, wouldnt start for 20 minutes then it cleared. then a two weeks later it happened again and thats where we are now.

Where was your wiring fault and how did you deal with it

[alibx11]

An intermittent wiring fault isn't the same as a sensor failing, either there is still a failed/faulty sensor, a wiring connector hasn't been connected properly or the ecu isn't recognizing that the fault has been fixed for some reason.

It could even be a failed component that doesn't bring on a fault code, then it's down to checking the basics ie; .... is there a spark, is the fuel pressure correct for the injectors etc...

Unfortunately bikes and cars have become so complicated that everyone assumes that the thing will just register a fault with any component then it's just a matter of switching the faulty part and away you go but that isn't always the case.

[Ros]

Sorry - but I always thought it was FI as in Fuel Injection rather than F1 (F ONE)

I assumed that such a message would mean such things as fuel filter clogged, not enough fuel getting through, fuel pump issue, electronics fried, injector issues.... etc.

The old FI flashing every now and then and then going away seems to be just before a service - maybe fuel filter related...?

I may not be much help mate, was looking up the service manual and it states that once the fault has been fixed the F1 indicator will go out but the fault code will be stored in the main ECU memory to preserve a problem history.

For what it's worth, I have had the FI flash up a handful of times and it has NEVER shown up in the memory.  Never any trace of it when the dealer plugs it in.

Ros 

[alibx11]

That's quite possible Ros, must admit I've had no experience yet of the F1 errors yet ( touch wood ) so have no idea if the codes are stored or not in reality but was just quoting the manual which states....

" When the repair has been done, the warning indicator
light (LED) goes off and FI warningmessage and FI warning
symbol are not displayed on the LCD. But the service codes
stored in memory of the ECU are not erased to preserve
the problem history. The problem history can be referred
using the KDS (Kawasaki Diagnostic System) when solving
unstable problems"

Hope I never end up having to pay a dealer for diagnostic work as it's not cheap..

And I think your right it is FI rather than F1, I was just copying Snakes bad grammer... 

[jonathan]

An intermittent wiring fault isn't the same as a sensor failing, either there is still a failed/faulty sensor, a wiring connector hasn't been connected properly or the ecu isn't recognizing that the fault has been fixed for some reason.

In this case it was because the wiring fault tricked the ECU into thinking that multiple sensors had failed. The "sensor failures" were all stored in the ECU memory.

After some trouble shooting the tech realized that all of the sensors shared a common ground and finally diagnosed a bad connector pin at the ECU. The ECU and wiring harness were subsequently replaced under warranty.

[alibx11]

Glad it was under warranty jonathon...

[trousersnake01]

Still cant find a cure for mine. Still showing faults. Its in with an auto electrician next week