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2001 RC51 FI Light

Howi152

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2004
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
20 Indian Challenger
16 ZX-10R
Name
Howard
I bought this bike in December and I have had the FI light come on and stay on a while then go away. No loss of power and if not for the light I probably wouldn't have noticed anything wrong. The bike has a PC3 but not sure which model. Is the first step to take out the PC? I read up on how to check codes, but couldn't figure out which wires I need to use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
It's the green two-pole connector near the ECU.
With the ignition switch off, jumper the contacts, then turn the switch on.
It will start blinking.
If the code is in single digits, count the number of short blinks.
If the code is a two digit one, it will have a long blink, then a series of short blinks.
If there are more than one error, there will be slight pause between number sequences.

Now remember that the ECU stores all detected fault codes, unless cleared.
For instance, if you had a throttle position sensor problem a long time ago, and it was fixed, the ECU still has that code logged in addition to the new fault code.
You may have multiple faults, but the only way to be sure is to clear the faults and let it discover them anew.

To clear the faults codes:
1. With the ignition key off, connect a jumper across the green service connector.
2. Turn the ignition key on (as you would to view fault codes).
3. Remove the service connector jumper.
4. The FI indicator will light solid for 5 seconds. During this 5 seconds, reconnect the service connector jumper.
5. The FI light will go off and then start blinking. All fault codes were erased.
6. If the FI light blinks 20 times, the fault codes were not erased. So repeat the previous steps.

Now any fault codes detected will be current.
However, from your initial problem description above, it does sound like a TP sensor related problem.
The bad TP sensor description says the engine behaves poorly when operating the throttle quickly.
Instead of using a known TP sensor position, it used a default 0 deg. position.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll open it up and see if I can figure it out and post some pics if I don't
 
Check the sensor connectors on top of the airbox and top of snorkel. Make sure they're secure. Make sure your PC is grounded directly to the battery.
 
if its a map sensor code, look for a cracked/broken/pinched/incorrectly routed vacuum line. hondas aren't known for faulty map sensors.
 
That part is $128 at Ron Ayers, and likely cheaper elsewhere.

It has been used on tons of Hondas. Strong chance I have one floating around in my bins of parts. Will try to remember to look Monday morning (a PM my way Monday morning will help me remember). Yours for very cheap if I have it.

However, I'd look hard for pinched hoses/loose hoses/wires first.

WW

edit: Actually, I'm sure I have the same sensor as you sent in the link to ebay. From one of the long gone CBR929RR's. Just looked at ebay too - and tons of used ones - all of them probably good. You already know this, but Honda part # for the Denso sensor is 37830-MCF-003
 
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That part is $128 at Ron Ayers, and likely cheaper elsewhere.

It has been used on tons of Hondas. Strong chance I have one floating around in my bins of parts. Will try to remember to look Monday morning (a PM my way Monday morning will help me remember). Yours for very cheap if I have it.

However, I'd look hard for pinched hoses/loose hoses/wires first.

WW

edit: Actually, I'm sure I have the same sensor as you sent in the link to ebay. From one of the long gone CBR929RR's. Just looked at ebay too - and tons of used ones - all of them probably good. You already know this, but Honda part # for the Denso sensor is 37830-MCF-003

Thanks for the offer, but my dumbass didn't look it up by the right part number and finally just ordered it from GP. Expensive lesson to learn about looking up parts. They will not cancel the order because it is special order. Just over $180 after tax. Just hope and pray it fixes the problem.

I looked high and low for a fuel shut off so I can pull the tank off but couldn't find one. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Well picked up and put in the new MAP sensor and took it for a ride. Wheelies seemed to be associated with the FI light, so I tried to replicate the problem. So far so good. Even made it to it's natural habitat:

 
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