HELP! I recently bought a 99 CBR 600 F4 (two weeks ago), 78000km and in good shape. Only negative was a non functioning reserve fuel-light and only 1 key. So, I decided to get a spare key, which is not too expensive.
Unfortunately, the bikeshop that was going to copy the key experienced something quite unusual whilst coding the key; There was smoke from the wires and some melting.....

So I now fear my small investment will become a substantial larger one, but I am not willing to pay anything before an explanation and/or presentation of ''evidence'' of what has happened. Could the bikeshop have done something wrong? Or is this just something I should expect while doing a routine operation on a 23-year old bike?

Thanks for all advice and response. I clueless, so any serious response is appreciated.

BR DrBravo

 

Yes, absolutely shop's fault.

Takes just basic troubleshooting steps and wiring-diagram to solve problem. Absolutely zero excuses for what happened. Fuel-level sensor is very basic circuit, just one wire to chassis ground and one wire to ECU.



No connection to power whatsoever! Which would have to happen to pass enough current to melt wires.

You can propose to shop that they at lease owe you bike in condition you brought it in. If they're not willing to fix that for no-charge, take it to different shop that's at lease competent enough to fix. This was 5-minute fix with multimeter. And 5-minute double-check to verify connections before turning anything on.'Then give 1st shop bill for reimbursement. Otherwise take them to court to recover.

This is modern internet world, incompetence is not tolerated. You need to immediately start posting bad reviews on every web-forum like this. And post reviews on review-specific sites such as yelp.com and google. Don't let what happened to you happen to hundreds of other people.

 

Hey, man. Thanks for your reply and input.

Just to be sure: They were not going to fix the fuel-level light, they were making and coding a new key. The bike has an ignition security system, so new keys needs to be coded to the ECU. Are you talking about this routine, or fixing the fuel sensor/reserve tank light?
If I had lost my only key, I would be looking at the cost of a new ECU instead, and that is probably above the bikes market level here in Norway, so thats why I put the bike in the shop. Really annoying😑 But om staying positive.
Since I'm a rookie rider, I have posted the same message in Norwegian forums, and all who has answered say the same; Totally shops fault, they should cover all costs.

 

Still their fault. Procedure to copy key with HISS does require some jumpering of battery to crank-position sensor (CKP). Commercially produced jumper harnesses are available with proper current-limiting resistor to make this easy. So some possibilities:

1. they didn't use proper Honda HISS programming harness

2. they didn't use proper 3rd-party HISS programming harness with current-limiting resistor

3. they probably jumpered full battery-power directly to CKP connector on harness.


If so, not only is your harness melted, ECU is most likely fried as well. This is even more serious than I thought. Nothing to do with age of vehicle. Shoppe is simply taking advantage of new owner. This is why I do all my own work on bikes.

In CA, Department of Consumer Affairs deals with these kinds off issues, Lemon Laws, etc. I'd check with local government offices dealing with auto/moto shops to get familiar with local laws on this.

At very least, shoppe owes you new harness and possibly ECU as well. Don't let them get away with this!

 

Oh wow, highly detailed response. Appreciate it!😊
This is very helpful for me, even just to understand more of what might actually has happened, and extremely useful in the event of the shop not taking the blame.
Unfortunately, since it is my first bike, I'm no mechanic, doing anything like this myself was not an option. Even so, coding a new key with HISS should be a routine operation for them. This shop is conveniently located close to my office and even listed as a Honda dealership. Everything should have been a solid home run, but here I am a week in w/o my bike, after less than three weeks of ownership.

I do have plans to contact the Department of Consumer Affairs, and I have also notified my insurance company.

Again; Thanks for your input. I'll keep you posted on how this developes.

 

You're most welcome!

Actual process is easy

1. get HISS programming cable - https://o2eliminators.com/products/h...da-motorcycles

2. HISS key programming - https://o2eliminators.com/pages/hond...g-instructions

It can be done very easily by 1st time mechanics.

Good luck! :wave:

 

The day has come!
My bike is back, and in better shape than before!
All other expenses were covered by the bike shop, and I just had to pay for the key and coding.

So, no problems at all, other than the emotional scar of being without my CBR 600 F4 for 2-3 weeks 😅
Thank god...🤣

Thanks for your replies, ride safe!

 

The day has come! Yesterday I got a mail from the shop: My bike was ready!
I immediately went to get it, and said: ''I'm here to get my bike before you fry more of it!'' (tounge in cheek, of course). We all shared a laugh and I paid for the key and coding, and nothing more. Very pleased, and now my bike is also in somewhat better shape then when I dropped it of

Happy ending!

 

ahhh, glad to hear it worked out!!!

 

Thanks! Thank you for your input!