CB1100 Idle speed instability problem

[Hatred66_imp]

Just wanted to post a quick update here. As every year, when summer and high temperatures are fading here in SoCal I've noticed the low idle issue with my '14 CB1100 is back to minimum. The opposite process will start to kick in from April-May again, so at least I have a few months to relax.

I know we all have shared our experiences, feedback from the dealer, non-response from Honda (unreal), etc. so I was just wondering if this will be an unresolved problem forever or at some point someone either from Honda or with enough knowledge from the forum (unfortunately I don't have it) will find what is the root cause of this issue.

At this point I'm used to it, and since the bike doesn't fully die I think I'm going to accept it as a part of our bike's personality. I honestly prefer having this thought instead of the frustration of owning a pseudo-defective bike with no support from the MotoGp world champion brand.

I hope someday we'll get an answer, or Honda will decide to take a look at something that many of us have reported. Otherwise Mulder and Scully would be the last option...

Just venting before this thread dies and we all give up.

Ride safe everyone, gasssssss

[peterbaron]

Hi everyone,
NO, I do not provide ready answer for the idle problem that my 2013/50Km has never experienced. I only use top tier gasoline, never more than up to 10% of ethanol and always 94 or 91 octane rating , unless I am stuck in a desert......
Fuel injector cleaner 1-2 per season.
Here is a link that may interest you all::

http://www.toptiergas.com/


Happy & trouble free riding to you all,
Peter

[the Ferret]

I wonder how regularly you have to use Top Tier gas, to see any benefit, and/or at what point someone who hadn't previously used top tier gas could begin using top tier gas and see a benefit?

[jeffmazz_imp]

Has anyone with this idle instability issue had their ECM re-flashed and solved this problem? Or, another question, does anyone that had their ECM re-flashed still have the idle problem. I ask because I have the issue and I'm thinking about having the ECM re-flashed to eliminate the restrictions Honda programmed into the system. Just wondering if this will eliminate the idle problem as well.

Thanks

[Lord Popgun]

That Jeff, is an interesting question. We know that for one member in Europe, Honda reflashed his ECU with an updated program and fixed his problem. Another member talked to Honda of America and they denied any update and said they couldn't do it anyway (speculation here was because of emissions, but IDK.)

I don't think anyone with the problem has had Don Guhl reflash the ECU. If they have I sure don't remember them reporting it.

[jeffmazz_imp]

popgun,
I'm going to have Don Guhl re-flash my ECM. His shop is only about an hour from my house. I'm debating whether I should put a Yosh full exhaust system (very expensive in my opinion) on before having it done. I will take the bike to him to dyno tune if I go with the pipe. We will find out if the re-flash eliminates the idle issue one way or the other.

[Lord Popgun]

Please keep us updated. Sooner or later we are going to figure this out, as it looks like Honda isn’t going to help.

[postoak_imp]

Has anyone with this idle instability issue had their ECM re-flashed and solved this problem? Or, another question, does anyone that had their ECM re-flashed still have the idle problem. I ask because I have the issue and I'm thinking about having the ECM re-flashed to eliminate the restrictions Honda programmed into the system. Just wondering if this will eliminate the idle problem as well.

Thanks

I asked that question up above and someone, I forget who, said they had the Guhl reflash and subsequently had the idle problem.

[Magnus_imp]

Yes, I had the Guhl reflash and several thousand miles later developed a constant high idle (1500rpm) problem. I've never had a low idle or stalling problem. The high idle problem persisted for about six months during which time I tried replacing the Idle Air Control Value (IACV) and the Engine Operating Temp sensor (EOT?) to no avail. Then about a month ago out of nowhere it fixed itself and has been perfect since... go figure.

I would be very very surprised is a Guhl reflash would make any difference one way or another with idle.

[postoak_imp]

And the IACV and EOT replacement did nothing either? There's got to be a clue in there. What else is there? Or maybe the part of the ECU dealing with idle is no different with the Guhl changes and the problem IS with the ECU.