04' VLX VT600CD Engine shutdown while riding

[Coolal]

2004 VLX VT600CD, 14040 miles.

This morning I was heading to work.
I merged on the highway and was traveling at 70-75mph and engine shut-off, no stumble no jerk movement just shut down.
As I slowed down to about 45 mph I hit the start switch and the bike turned on again and decided to head back home (my ride to work is 40miles).
As I started to head home doing about 50 mph the bike shutdown again. I pulled to the side of the rode and started again and continue to ride back home.
This is the second time this happened to me.

The first time I was riding and when I got 50 miles and the engine cut out the same way doing about 55 mph, but it would not start up at all.

Things that I have done so far.
-When I got the bike the owner was running 91 octane and I switched to 87 octane and a oil change.

The first time after the engine shutoff. I got it home on a uhaul and changed out the battery and sparkplugs and did another oil change.

Trying to figure out where to start to check for the problem.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

[Scrapdog2grand]

Just the engine shut down? how about lights and indicators? oil light come on, turn signals still work?
I wouldnt be looking for a fuel problem

[old dad]

check both battery posts connections

[craig s.]

sounds like somethings possibly shortin out somewhere..maybe kill switch..idk..im not a mechanic or anything,but ive had other things do this and it was electrical in nature.

[Tom Szymborski Sr.]

use lock Tight on your battery

[Coolal]

Originally Posted by Scrapdog2grand

Just the engine shut down? how about lights and indicators? oil light come on, turn signals still work?
I wouldnt be looking for a fuel problem

Only the engine shutoff.
Lights and indicators worked. Oil light came on and used turn signal to move over to the side of the rode.

[Scrapdog2grand]

Originally Posted by Coolal

Only the engine shutoff.
Lights and indicators worked. Oil light came on and used turn signal to move over to the side of the rode.

If I were putting money on it , I go with the Ignition pulse generator, IF you have the 2 wire style.
I have to diff wiring diagrams for the same year VLX, one shows 2 wire, one shows a 4 wire. they get hot and stop working.
I'd do some more research and see if you can find out if this is has been the case with simalar complaints and symptoms.
It could be the stop run switch, but I doubt its a problem b4 the switch, as the black and white wire that feeds power to the stop run switch, also feeds power to the starter switch. I dont think your problem is here, but could be. I hear its a common problem.
wouldnt hurt to take it apart and clean it properly, if you have the tools and are capable.
It could also be a wire shorting to ground, chaffed and rubbed through.
Anyody have some info on the IPG, 2 wire or 4 wire?
How about failure rate, common enough?

[gmck]

my vlx has a fuel pump, that could be the issue too, not sure if later ones still used the pump or gravity.

[John Hopkins]

No way of telling you what is wrong with your bike..these intermittant faults are always the hardest to find..put the bike on the centre stand and start the engine, then with the bike ticking over move the sidestand to see if the bike cuts out..if you only have to move it a small amount it could be dropping or bouncing because of vibration, touch the connectors to the earth or frame points to see if any are loose enough to stop the engine, look at exposed connectors first, the weather may have damaged them..then look at things that have been worked on recently to make sure nothing is shorting out, then loose fuses. try to keep the bike ticking over while you do all this. pull firmly at the wires you check, sometimes the outer sheath remains undamaged while the inner wires fray, they remain in contact held in place by the sheath until they vibrate apart.

Take your time and do it right, it's worth it.

John.

[LIMagna]

Originally Posted by gmck

my vlx has a fuel pump, that could be the issue too, not sure if later ones still used the pump or gravity.

The 04 should be gravity fed. However, if there's an issue with the tank vent (cap), that could cause a problem such as this. Also, the vacuum petcock would be something to look at too. You would need to determine whether fuel starvation is the cause of the problem or if it's electrical. From the description, it doesn't sound like starvation since it would probably stumble a bit before dieing.