California 1400 Custom won't rev past 4000 rpm (updated 12/4/15)

[bsanut]

Maybe it's been like this for awhile, I don't rev the bike that much.  But after last fillup this evening I wicked it a bit to find the machine WILL NOT rev past 4000 rpm, like it's in some kind of limp mode.

No warnings of any kind on the dash, does it in all gears (both Turismo/Veloce), runs just fine below 4K.  Also seems to rev out ok in neutral? 

Bike has maybe 2500 miles on it, bought it with about 1800.  It surely wasn't this way when I bought it. 

Any help?  It still has warranty, but of course the dealer is not very close, and they always have a waiting list anyway.

Joe

[elvisboy77]

Has to be programmed to rev limit at 4,000...... I'd take it to a shop.

[guzzisteve]

Find someone w/software & reset self adjusting perimeters, relearn the throttle and the rest of the stuff that is done in an inspection. In other words, jack w/it electronically til it runs right.

[pat80flh]

Don't overlook the possibility of a restricted exhaust/ clogged catalytic converter, that will prevent the engine from revving up. Unhooking the headers will tell pretty quick, or if you have oxygen sensors, take them out, give the exhaust somewhere to go.

   Another possibility, restricted intake, mouse nest in airbox.

[Kiwi Dave]

Hell, I didn't even know there is a California 1400 Sport.  More models appearing than I can shake a stick at.

So what's different between the Sport and the Audace?  Or the Custom?

[Vasco DG]

Don't overlook the possibility of a restricted exhaust/ clogged catalytic converter, that will prevent the engine from revving up. Unhooking the headers will tell pretty quick, or if you have oxygen sensors, take them out, give the exhaust somewhere to go.

   Another possibility, restricted intake, mouse nest in airbox.

Don't do this.

[pikipiki]

What about if you rev it in neutral, get any more revs?
Rev out ok you mean it will rev higher or not?
What happens when you hit 4k does it rev even or not?

[Lcarlson]

I'm also confused -- what is a California 1400 "Sport"?

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm guessing he means Custom. At any rate, I personally would begin with a conversation with a dealer. Then move forward from there.

Is the bike still under warranty?

ZZ

[yogidozer]

are you sure it doesn't say Harley Davidson on the tank?

[pikipiki]

   Another possibility, restricted intake, mouse nest in airbox.

The size of those pipes! Easily mistaken for a Hamster run.

Have heard of dead fish in airbox but only need to check that if there's a psychotic ex in your recent past.

No seriously sounds like I think first poster said -
Probably related to electronics / software, throttle sensor confusion, may be simple to fix?

[bsanut]

Nuts.  1400 Custom.  Sorry.

And yeah, I am NOT going to start removing exhaust parts.  I have an appointment with Munroe in San Francisco, will burn up half a day getting there and a train home.  But the bike is still under warranty, will have them look at a couple of other things, as long as I have to bring it in anyway.

Will let ya'll know what it turns out to be.  The WS manual refers to so many widgets for error codes, crazy how complicated.  But I knew that...

Joe

[Kiwi Dave]

Don't suppose it's gone into the "limp" mode?  If so, I would have thought you noticed the dreaded red triangle on the dash.

[mtiberio]

mouse nest in airbox

[Zoom Zoom]

A quick mention to my dealer about this yesterday. He said there is an extra wire somewhere in the charging system that Guzzi wants disconnected. (I **think** he said there was a TSB on it.) Evidently, it can cause weird things to manifest. There is no rhyme or reason to the weirdness. I guess it takes the dealer 20 minutes or so to check and disconnect if not already done. If that TSB has already been performed, then real trouble shooting can begin. (Yes, I need to get mine back to him to check also.)

We'll be interested in hearing the result of your trouble.

John Henry

[elvisboy77]

Let us know what the dealer finds.

Zoom zoom, could that be the tsb regarding routing of the cable from the alternator to the battery?  I had that one done.

[Zoom Zoom]

That is a good question. Phil said it had something to do with actually disconnecting an additional wire from (maybe) the alternator. He said that was the only TSB out there on my bike. Odd as I know our two bikes rolled off the line next to each other.

John Henry

[bsanut]

No service triangle.  Bike backfires a fair amount on deceleration now, which didn't happen before.  Also doesn't idle well when cold, also new.

Appointment Tuesday morning, but I may have them look a small oil leak near the pan, so I'll likely have to leave it.

Joe

[jones525]

Something is amiss...

My California Custom is just out of warranty and I had an event which turned out to be an issue with the ride by wire unit. In fact, the first bike that I was supposed to take home wouldn't even start once the tech brought it back from the pre-delivery ride. Ended up needing a new ride by wire unit. Fortunately, they (Four Seasons) had another in the color I wanted and off I went.

Fast forward 7500 trouble free miles, accelerating from a stop sign 100mi from home, all of a sudden the throttle goes away, and the dash began flashing "Urgent Service". I pulled in the clutch, the engine stayed at 4000rpm, I coasted to a stop, hit the kill switch, key off, key on, restarted, and the throttle came back with a normal idle RPM. The "Urgent Service" had changed to "Service". Everything felt ok, so I continued on.

I rode for another 20mi or so, then stopped for fuel, which had me switch the bike off for 5mins or so. Upon key on, the red triangle was off, "Service" was gone and it was as if nothing had even happened.

I headed over to the dealer a few days later to have my service wrench reset and they pulled the code and annotated my service record as the season is almost over here. I've ridden 100+ miles since w/no issues whatsoever.

Your situation sounds different than mine, but I bet its the ride by wire unit behaving badly... Go get her checked out and report back!

[pauldaytona]

If you are not near a dealer get Guzzidiag, that lets you checkout errors, and reset some things too, and even let the throttle relearn if needed.

[jones525]

At least for now. That may change in the future...

[jackson]

Sounds like it's going to a limp mode.
Remove the negative terminal from the battery for 15 minutes and then re-connect it.  See if that clears the problem.  If that solves it, ride it for a while to make sure it doesn't return before you cancel your appt. with the dealer.

[pauldaytona]

At least for now. That may change in the future...

Well the difference between knowing nothing and able to see what is happening is big.

[Kiwi Dave]

A quick mention to my dealer about this yesterday. He said there is an extra wire somewhere in the charging system that Guzzi wants disconnected. (I **think** he said there was a TSB on it.) Evidently, it can cause weird things to manifest. There is no rhyme or reason to the weirdness. I guess it takes the dealer 20 minutes or so to check and disconnect if not already done. If that TSB has already been performed, then real trouble shooting can begin. (Yes, I need to get mine back to him to check also.)

We'll be interested in hearing the result of your trouble.

John Henry

Here is the bulletin.  Apparently without the modification, the extra wire can cook the alternator when the ignition key on for extended time.



I'm yet to do the mod myself. 

[pauldaytona]

Not for all cali 1400 as I read it. The bike needs to be looked up in the warranty system to see if it is needed

[bsanut]

I'm not going to start monkeying around on my own, disconnecting this and that, I'm not stuck in the middle of nowhere.  And there is the existing warranty to consider.

It runs well enough to get to SF, I'd prefer to have a pro tell me what it is. And the small oil leak.  And the goofy rumble coming from somewhere near the front end at low rpm.  And install the proper bolts holding on the rear fender support, that fell out whoknowswhen... 

The bike is great, a real carnival ride and I'm happy with it, but not so impressed with the quality thus far...

Joe

[elvisboy77]

Well said, bsanut.  I wouldn't touch it either, you are right. Let the dealer sort it first.  Interesting problem, good luck and let us know how it goes on Tuesday.

[fotoguzzi]

Guzzi, a real carnival ride and I'm happy with it

[bsanut]

It was a spark plug wire. 

I had to buy a set of wires for my earlier Stelvio because I apparently botched their removal during valve adjust, though I thought I was damn careful.

I've not yet worked on the Custom so I'm wondering if the selling dealer or original owner did something wrong during maintenance, or if the wire 'just went bad'.  Dunno.  Far as I know, Piaggio didn't complain about the fix, they paid for it.

For now, all is well.  The ride home from San Francisco was a joy.  The 1400 is SO different from either my Victory or V-strom.  As I said before, carnival ride.

Joe

[elvisboy77]

It was a spark plug wire. 

I had to buy a set of wires for my earlier Stelvio because I apparently botched their removal during valve adjust, though I thought I was damn careful.

I've not yet worked on the Custom so I'm wondering if the selling dealer or original owner did something wrong during maintenance, or if the wire 'just went bad'.  Dunno.  Far as I know, Piaggio didn't complain about the fix, they paid for it.

For now, all is well.  The ride home from San Francisco was a joy.  The 1400 is SO different from either my Victory or V-strom.  As I said before, carnival ride.

Joe

Thanks for letting us know, glad it was a simple fix!  I am sure you are glad you didn't start messing with it.....