Datatool system failure during riding(?)

[B0ndy]

Yesterday was interesting, riding along the motorway and all electrics were lost - dash went off, no indicators, no ignition etc.

Shaken up and sitting on the hard shoulder with my toolkit out trying to work out what was going wrong.

Five minutes later the bike fires back up like nothing happened.

I rode on but after another breakdown, this time without a hard shoulder(!), the highways man asked me to arrange recovery..


The bike is a GSXR1000 K3 fitted with Datatool alarm 3 and power commander - other than that it's stock.

Because it fires up again after 10 - 20 minutes or so, as if nothing happened, I'm inclined to think it could be the alarm BUT... I'm not entirely sure..

Threads online describing alarm failures make mentions of problems starting, battery in fob failing etc - but never a complete loss of electrics during operation.

Asking first before bypassing what could be a functioning alarm system..
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CBF 125 -> CB400SF -> GSX600F -> ZX6R (G1) -> GSXR1000 K4 -> ZX6R (B1H Stunt bike) -> VFR800 -> R1 5PW -> Sprint 1050 -> Fireblade 929 -> ZX10R C2H -> GSXR1000 K3

[sickpup]

That's unlikely to be an alarm failure. The main bike power isn't routed through the alarm so if it did fail, it shouldn't kill all the power.

Its a power fault. Loose battery connection, worn ignition/ignition wires where they go around the head stock. If the main fuse is on the starter relay, pretty sure it is on that, it could be internal corrosion, a loose plug and so many many other things but likely not the alarm.

[B0ndy]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I agree it’s unlikely to be alarm-related because if it was possible for it to kill the bike mid-ride it would be dangerous, and no manufacturer would allow it.

I’ve had this same problem with an aftermarket in-line fuse-holder designed to blow if the reg/rec starts overcharging. The first time it was a Halfords fuse holder which in hindsight was unsuitable, but the second time was with a more substantial fuse holder from a vendor I’d still trust. The fuses didn’t blow but the current found a by-pass route through the holders themselves, ultimately melting the holders. The damage was visible. I fixed the problem by doing without that fuse/fuse-holder.

Something electrical is getting hot and resistant to current. Is there anything non-OE in the electrical circuit?

[Pete.]

Whether the fault is the datatool alarm or not you'd do well to rip out that POS before it does leave you stranded. I had a system 3, so did my brother, both failed plus I've had to bypass 2 others for people wher they have failed and left them stranded.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[MarJay]

[andys675]

you can temporarily bypass an s3 and then test ride the bike
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[B0ndy]

Finally fixed, thanks for all replies.

Two seemingly separate issues happened at once, which really threw me off.

Firstly the dash wasn’t working apart from the neutral light and signal etc, which still worked. Problem was a previously soldered connection that had broken, at the connector block (below ram air duct, clutch side). The R/Bl (red blue stripe) wire was disconnected, I THINK this is 12v from fuel pump fuse.

A few threads online suggest corrosion in this area happens, and since I’ve been riding it over winter - assume it just gave up in the end.

Secondly my other problem was I had bought some cheapo fuses off eBay, while pulling them all out to test them - the cheapo one just fell apart in my pliers. But visibly it was still functional. This cheapo fuse was in IGNITION. I replaced it for a non cheapo variant and everything sprung back to life.

Hope that helps someone in the future.

Funnily enough the misses told me to get rid of the bike and get a new one, but I persevered and got it sorted in the end (stupidly ) - electrical gremlins are the worst
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CBF 125 -> CB400SF -> GSX600F -> ZX6R (G1) -> GSXR1000 K4 -> ZX6R (B1H Stunt bike) -> VFR800 -> R1 5PW -> Sprint 1050 -> Fireblade 929 -> ZX10R C2H -> GSXR1000 K3