Author Topic: 2014 Vstrom 1000 Electrical Connectors - Waterproofing (Read 26654 times)

Roadrocket · « **on:** November 07, 2015, 11:02:48 »

The new DL1000 is a great machine,however despite the efforts of Suzuki improving the overall feel and ride of the bike, there is a hidden weakness, the dreaded electrical connectors. This has been topic of discussion between Veek owners. Later models seem to have had this issue rectified. Photos would be appreciated to compare later models with the first gen veeks.

Owners have reported all sorts of strange happenings, bike cutting out, ignition coming on by itself,lights flashing etc. Upon lifting the tank and removing the airbox sit an a collection of electrical connectors , some waterproof,some not. Now why these aren't all waterproof I don't understand as they should be! Given they are mounted just above and behind the radiator and under the air intake,they are exposed to harsh weather. Some owners have posted photos of the white connector almost totally corroded after 11000 miles of winter riding.
So I took the preventative steps to water proof mine given its only done mostly dry miles.

With the tank removed you can see the connectors the white one (ignition key loom) is not a waterproof sealed type,whilst the grey one is.

With the airbox removed exposes them all, it's a water trap here,bad location to mount any connectors. Bear in mind also that water will run down the cable looms from the handle bar controls and end up straight into these connectors. So even when you're washing your bike down, they are bound to get wet....

Thankfully the connectors here are in good condition given the bike is 12months old with 1200 Summer miles on the clock.

I applied some grease to the connectors then cut up an old bicycle innertube, sleeved the connectors then tie wrapped the side facing the elements.

The connectors on the right are waterproof having rubber gaskets within the connectors however I would advise ALL the connectors are split and sealed within a rubber tube. Hopefully this should cure corrosion and stop chafing.

Finally on the airbox I noticed a cable had been rubbing on the tank,you can see white paint on the sleeve

So little rubber was placed for protection

I've done this mod on my DR250 all weather bike and have never had a problem since with random electrical faults, particularly in the winter riding months.

Fingers crossed I've improved wet riding reliability a little! Please post photos of your modifications it would be nice to see what Suzuki have done on later models to rectify this issue

Hondaman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:50:08 »

A bit of nice preventitive maintenance there Roadrocket, the connectors are much the same on the 650s - I sprayed mine with grease when I bought the bike but will sleeve them properly over the winter.

Phil

wurzel · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2015, 20:22:57 »

Brilliant thread, and thanks for the time to post this.

Laava · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2015, 11:04:22 »

Well done that man! How easy was the airbox to remove? I had my tank off yesterday fitting a TRE and looked at pulling the airbox to sort this wiring, but it looked like a PITA so I left it for now. I am the bloke who had the misfortune of having the wiring loom rub through on the tank. Lucky for me the Suzuki shop had a good troubleshooting mech who not only found and fixed the problem, they were very upfront with me about it and did it in one day! I have a thread on here somewhere about it. Cheers, Al

Jacksnipe · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2015, 11:08:33 »

Roadrocket, V Good thread, useful advice and great pictures.

Thank you

JS

Roadrocket · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2015, 15:45:22 »

No problem pleasure to help. Laava the airbox wasn't too much of an issue a set of long ball ended Allen keys is all you need thinks its between 3 - 5mm the longer the better so you can release the clamp between the airbox and the air intake, just cover the intakes up with a clean rag to prevent any foreign objects being accidentally dropped into them

zippy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2015, 18:50:58 »

hi blokes, the front cylinder air box rubber don't undo the allen key ,just push the rubber boot through the airbox simples way way easier than getting to the allen key
cheers

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2015, 20:50:18 »

Good thinking Zippy. My Glee has a screw on the front of the airbox and an allen key at the rear. I spent forever (around 40mins) trying to undo it with an allen key

At some point I ought to do this, especially after my recent issues (see thread C41 error fault if you're in doubt as to whether worth doing). Mine currently have ACF50 in the connectors and ACF50 Corrosion Block smeared at the back of the connectors.

Chatty · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2015, 22:12:44 »

I spoke to the main tech bloke at the Bike Show today and he gave me the impression that Suzuki recognise this failing and told me to get mine in to get the shop for them to fit the waterproof boot to the connectors above the radiator.
Chatty

SimonW · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2015, 22:59:30 »

Who did you speak to Chatty?

Chatty · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2015, 11:43:23 »

I think he was called Peter Fox.

Chatty

SimonW · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2015, 20:37:00 »

Ah, thanks. I wondered whether it was Martyn Ogborne, though I thought he'd retired. Now he was an interesting chap to talk to. See: http://www.suzukibulletin.co.uk/2012/02/20/meet-martyn-ogborne/.

SuMo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2015, 23:56:28 »

Seems Suzuki Australia got the balls to step up first and call the connector and scuffing problems in a recall.

http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1080679

The Menace · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2015, 06:57:57 »

I know these connectors vary in size, but any idea what range of diameter of tubing I should use that is heat shrinkable? I'm looking at buying a heat gun from Screwfix for £9.99.

Hondaman · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2015, 08:10:48 »

I'm sure others have just used cycle inertube & tie wrapped the ends, that's what I was going to use on a 650 anyway

wurzel · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2015, 10:31:08 »

That's what I did Hondaman.

SimonW · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2015, 20:56:18 »

Heatshrink can be a nightmare to get off sometimes, too.

Lifebiker · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2015, 21:14:21 »

My bike was the first one to receive the ecu mod and I have had the throttle bodies replaced and I spoke to Peter Fox at the bike show and he told me the same about waterproofing the connectors but my (very excellent) dealer has not been instructed to carry out this mod. They waterproofed the connectors with a spray solution, I have not ridden my bike since the throttle bodies and motors were replaced but I have been assured that I should not have any further problems.

arran66 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2015, 19:04:43 »

Hi there really great post I love this forum

Can you tell me if this cured the problem of stalling or and the electrical issues

Thanks

arran66 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2015, 15:14:39 »

Done the tank removal today and low and behold the dreaded wire chaffing

This is, well let's face it, a really really bad design fault along with the exposed block connectors

To be honest I really don't expect this sort of school boy error's from Suzuki

Very badly designed and obvious too I can't believe it really not too happy but I think I caught it in time

Any longer and who knows this could have really damaged ecu wiring loom maybe even fire

Not happy but I just love the bike hope this fix sorts it out otherwise I'll be trading it

Kawasaki versys 1000 if I get anymore trouble

hope the bikes listening