Sudden Shutdown

Energy One
I'll be riding along fine and then suddenly the bike (2004 Ridgeback) just shuts off, I turn the key off and back on immediately while coasting and it bump starts it back up every time, or if I manage to pull over I just turn the key off and then back on and it will fire back up every time. Sometimes I can ride it for 2 months and it never does it and sometimes it will happen 3 times in a mile! WTF! Has anyone else had this issue?
 

Rottweiler

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
I'll be riding along fine and then suddenly the bike (2004 Ridgeback) just shuts off, I turn the key off and back on immediately while coasting and it bump starts it back up every time, or if I manage to pull over I just turn the key off and then back on and it will fire back up every time. Sometimes I can ride it for 2 months and it never does it and sometimes it will happen 3 times in a mile! WTF! Has anyone else had this issue?
Check or replace the key switch. They are known to cause problems.

Sent from my Life One X3 using Tapatalk
 

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
Start with ur connections on the key switch. If good, start it and wiggle the key. See if you can replacate the issue. If ur switch is iffy, hit up Eric @ HDM. New switch is like $50? I had the same kinda issue. Mine was a moving battery tho, that would ever so often bump the backbone plug. Just enough to kill the bike. New battery strap solved my issue.
 

Rottweiler

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
You can carry a short jumper with you. If you can get to the terminals you can jump it out and see if it still does it.

Sent from my Life One X3 using Tapatalk
 
I can't replicate the issue with wiggling the key, I'm thinking it must actually be in the switch itself. It has no pattern to the failure, idling, 20 mph, 50 mph going over rough road etc. nothing sets it off. I've never heard of a backbone plug? What is it and where is it?
 

Sven

Well-Known Member
I turn the key off and back on immediately while coasting and it bump starts it back up every time
Got it. How about... if it shuts down and I pop the clutch it starts? No, I tried that and have to turn the key off then on and it fires back up this way only.

So without waiting for the answer, I'm thinking like this:
a. 'No, it won't fire back up if I coast and pop the clutch'... this says it has a good ground.
b. 'Yes, every time I keyfob it, she lights off again'... it says I zero'd out a bad saved signal, turning key off rests to zero = 0000.

if I manage to pull over I just turn the key off and then back on and it will fire back up every time.
a. Kind of see how it's not a ground if fires back up?
b. See how the black box kind of resets to refire, and not the crank sensor; with a keyfob off the side of the road means; no waiting for the sensor to cool down and refire.


Sometimes I can ride it for 2 months and it never does it and sometimes it will happen 3 times in a mile!
a. At 2 months in, can't be the black box's pin to connector to black box being loose.
b. Ah, a 2004 with an OEM black box and green electrolysis may/may not flow so a few connects and reconnects kind of scrapes and drags on the pins to etch to new metal, or, you can clearly see the powder corroded on the pins.
c. The; got nothing to lose, is to take a Q-tip and swab the pins with vinegar, where it's not soaking and dripping, then finding it's way past the bake where the pins stick out of the black box. Best way is to hang the box up, pins down so no chance of backwashing. If the connector has enough room to dip it in straight vinny and watch the bubbles... oh, it looks good chasing that phantom loss, but I'm beginning to doubt it. And you'd swab with fresh water to clean the pins, and something like dip the connector in a baggie of both vinny and rinse the bag with fresh water and dip the connector to remove the vinegar and crud.
d. For da fuck if I know where the phantom-cutout is?
 
Last edited:

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
Thank you for your reply but I don't understand a word of it...
The bike does not have the OEM electrical system, I changed it out 10 yrs ago.
Check the battery terminals -- I had a loose terminal connection create exactly this scenario several years ago on an 08.
If that's not it, I'd also check for a frayed wire shorting particularly under the tank.
When you have any of the JST or other connectors apart use dielectric grease on them after you clean them as a preventative.
 

tcrowelljr

Member
My 04 chopper did that. I would hit the run switch and it would pop start. Totally random times. It was either the old Thunderheart ignition module or the cam sensor. Installed a new ignition system (in the cone where the Cam Sensor is) and it never happened again. Cheap option is replace the Cam sensor. I had also replaced the switch with no change.
 
Well, here I am a couple of months later still chasing the electrical ghost. It ran for 6wks or so without showing up and then dumps the engine 3 times in 1 day.
I just changed out the cam sensor and now the bike barely runs at all, I was careful about bolting it up exactly where the old one was, didn't move the bike while replacing it and it runs like shit! gunshot loud backfires and massive hesitation. Is it possible to get a bad new sensor? I'm going to put the old one back in and see.
I'm fast getting to where I just no longer want to ride this POS.
 

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
Well, here I am a couple of months later still chasing the electrical ghost. It ran for 6wks or so without showing up and then dumps the engine 3 times in 1 day.
I just changed out the cam sensor and now the bike barely runs at all, I was careful about bolting it up exactly where the old one was, didn't move the bike while replacing it and it runs like shit! gunshot loud backfires and massive hesitation. Is it possible to get a bad new sensor? I'm going to put the old one back in and see.
I'm fast getting to where I just no longer want to ride this POS.
Your problem seems to be in the ignition circuit. Ignition switch, Ignition Module, Coil, Cam sensor and wiring connecting these components. Re-seat and inspect each connection for defects. Pull the EHC connections and replace the dielectric grease is good for all circuits. The cam sensor was a good possible choice because of potential heat failure. The coil is also susceptible to intermittent heat failure. Looks for cracks or any obvious failure. You have inspected the ignition sw but it still could have internal issues like burnt contacts. The Ignition module itself would be less likely to have an intermittent failure going on but anything is possible.
Because your bike starts back up immediately, heat failure is less likely and also very difficult and frustrating to diagnose. One step at a time. Hopefully when you put the old cam sensor the bike will run correctly. It sounds like you took your time and paid attention when you did the job so it's probably a defective sensor or you could try tweaking the timing adjustment.
 

LHS

Active Member
Supporting Member
Does it snort pop or anything through the carburetor / exhaust right when it stalls ?
Mine was doing the same thing (2009 ridgeback ) last summer. If I was rolling down the road when it done it I would cycle the key pop the clutch and it would take right off again If I was at a stoplight when it done it I would just cycle the key and start it right back up . Sometimes it would just die sometimes it would snort through the carburetor / exhaust. I chased wiring for a month and come to find out it was just a carburetor adjustment.
Mine was doing it mostly on deceleration. Just an adjustment of the idle mixture screw and I have not had the problem since.
 

06bigdogk9

New Member
What was the problem? Mine does the same thing, already replaced the battery, coil, ignition module, ehc rip kit 4 years ago. I'm leaning towards sending the ehc out to have it checked. I see the k9 shutting down like this is a common problem, but nobody posts what the problem was if they get it fixed. Maybe everyone lights them on fire or trades them in like I'm about to do.
 

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
What was the problem? Mine does the same thing, already replaced the battery, coil, ignition module, ehc rip kit 4 years ago. I'm leaning towards sending the ehc out to have it checked. I see the k9 shutting down like this is a common problem, but nobody posts what the problem was if they get it fixed. Maybe everyone lights them on fire or trades them in like I'm about to do.
You should probably start a new thread and explain what your specific symptoms are. Several guys on the site will be able help you troubleshoot the problem. If your problem is " intermittent sudden shutdown" it may be difficult to dial in the fix. One component which could cause your problem when it heats up is the Crank Sensor. There is no reliable way to test it other than replacing it with a New or known good sensor.
 
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