Sudden engine cut outs

[Athame57]

About four times in a couple of weeks now I've been riding along and engine stops. I coast to a near stop, go into neutral and hit start button engine fires up again. Fuel starvation I would rule out and probably electrical as well (?) any ideas?

[SteveW]

Check the fuses, mine did this.
Fuses looked intact but when you removed  them from the fuse holder the ends just fell off.

[Laverdaroo]

About four times in a couple of weeks now I've been riding along and engine stops. I coast to a near stop, go into neutral and hit start button engine fires up again. Fuel starvation I would rule out and probably electrical as well (?) any ideas?

Well it's one or the other!

I'd start with fuses and check all the connectors attributed to the ignition circuit and clean before putting back together. Make sure everythings connected and making contact. Either that or the neutral switch, side stand switch if it has one or the clutch switch, again, if it has one. That would be where I would look first.
Even if you have it ticking over and wiggle everything and try to reproduce the fault, simple fix and cheapest way to start for me.

[Nurse Julie]

Definitely check the fuse George. The metal caps can vibrate and come loose, so they still have contact but not all the time.

[Bryanj]

My guess is ignition switch or connector too it

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Have you replaced the fuse box? - my DS aftermarket one failed when fitted -wires not soldered on properly at the back on the ignition circuit.

[SteveW]

Dodgy kill switch?

[Athame57]

I've checked a few things like my battery leads and fuses, I couldn't really find anything wrong but I changed some fuses anyway. I did find a few snails taking refuge under my panels though..... I'm not sure what to think of that! 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've checked a few things like my battery leads and fuses, I couldn't really find anything wrong but I changed some fuses anyway. I did find a few snails taking refuge under my panels though..... I'm not sure what to think of that! 

No ring of Table Salt around your bike for snail protection!

[Cappodimonte]

Sudden stop failure points to electrical issue not fuel, that’s usually a stutter or misfire. Best to start with battery and it’s connections especially the earth strap to the frame, it could be as simple as it has loosened a little and/or rusted at the frame.

[Oddjob]

Need more info, does the engine stops but the lights etc stay on? Just an engine stop could mean the kill switch contacts, full shut down is most likely an ignition switch fault

[Cappodimonte]

Just a thought but, how long has the battery been on the bike ? Is it an old lead/acid or new gel type
If it’s been in situ for a fair while and is lead/acid it could be a battery plate has part failed and vibration causes a separation, short and immediate stop. The other fail points are kill switch or ignition switch, check ALL connections however and clean them up, electricity can build up resistance at rusted or corroded connection points
If it’s a gel battery then get it professionally checked out, anything electrical can fail anytime, these things can really wind you up.

[Athame57]

Just a thought but, how long has the battery been on the bike ? Is it an old lead/acid or new gel type

I put the current battery in four years ago, it looks alright but I've never had a bike so long as this, I'll change it. I see on DSS the battery they offer for the CB400F is a gel type now, anyone experienced this offering of theirs yet? Now and then the starter button doesn't respond, usually first push of the day, by moving the kill switch and pressing....then putting it back and pressing it works again. I've opened it up but can't see anything wrong as meets the eye though. Maybe try some WD40?

[Laverdaroo]

Sounds like thats the culprit. Clean it towithin an inch if its life and re test then move down the wires. Cheap and easy.

[400 Cafe Racer]

Just a thought but, how long has the battery been on the bike ? Is it an old lead/acid or new gel type

I put the current battery in four years ago, it looks alright but I've never had a bike so long as this, I'll change it. I see on DSS the battery they offer for the CB400F is a gel type now, anyone experienced this offering of theirs yet? Now and then the starter button doesn't respond, usually first push of the day, by moving the kill switch and pressing....then putting it back and pressing it works again. I've opened it up but can't see anything wrong as meets the eye though. Maybe try some WD40?

Failing all else, as a belt and braces solution, you could wire a "Secret Hidden " bye pass switch, concealed from view. Wired direct from the battery - through its own seperate fuse - and connected to the ignition switch output wire.  This would enable you to get home without being stranded.  If the Ignition switch or fuse or anything on the live side fails you would be covered.

Dennis