Connector on right side

[Vidrazor]

Hi folks, I've been away from here since this precious moment (scroll to the top).  I've been riding an SV650 until now. I just managed to pick up a 2000 Bandit S 1200 in pretty mint condition, with only 4300 miles. I stupidly towed it home on an open trailer, and it got salted coming home.

As I was washing it off, I noticed an open connector on the right side of the bike, underneath the tank. There doesn't appear to be anywhere this thing connects to. The previous owner felt it was a diagnostic connector for dealers. It strikes me odd that it's just open without a cover if so. For some reason I couldn't insert pics in this message, so below are two links to pics of the connector.

If anyone can clue me into what this is, it will be appreciated, thanks.

http://s75.photobucket.com/user/vidrazor/media/connector1_zpscwqqidos.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s75.photobucket.com/user/vidrazor/media/connector2_zpstyw39mdx.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[ventYl]

(I originally posted this as PM but meanwhile replying was fixed)

I think that the connector you are asking for is throttle position sensor as all Bandits 1200 have it since ever the dawn of big Bandit. There should be matching plug somewhere near the bottom of rightmost carb. Clean both the connector and plug before connecting them and don't be surprised if bike will go rough / bad after you plug it in. I think that the fact that bike has only 4000+ miles after 15 years is that there was some problem with carbs and only unplugging the connector solved the problem for time long enough someone will buy it without noticing.

Bandit MY 2000 (regardless of model) doesn't have any diagnostic connector as these bikes are carburated there's nothing to be diagnosed.

[Vidrazor]

Thanks for your reply. Well, the carbs were rebuilt, according to the seller. It had been sitting around for 10 years when he got it and had a bunch of stuff done to it. The bike seems to run OK as is, what exactly is this supposed to do, and if the bike runs rough with it on, what is the point of it? I'm a bit at a loss on that. Is it supposed to straighten itself out as you go along? Thanks again for your reply.

[ventYl]

Purpose of this connector is to let CDI (ignitor control unit) to know what is the position of throttle flap. It can then alter ignition advance accordingly.

If carbs were rebuilt then nothing should change after plugging it back. I only supposed that previous owner disconnected the connector in order to "fix" some kind of problem but if carbs were rebuilt it is possible that he only forgot to plug it back. Due to subtle nature of ignition advance change it is possible that bike would run without connector plugged anyway (if everything is okay - no hidden problem on a bike).

[Vidrazor]

Well, there is no throttle position sensor on my bike. Interestingly, my mechanic looked up the 2000 Bandit 1200 intake system on his database, and that year has no throttle position sensor. We're deducting perhaps the wiring harness may have been shared with other bikes that did. It showed up on the 2001 model tho.

[ventYl]

This is quite surprising to me because I know that Bandit 1200 96+ had this sensor and later Bandits 600 have it too. Maybe different market has different setup.

edit: while i found this: "Note: The throttle position sensor is fitted to all 1200 models and the GSF600Y/SY onwards." i think that you may have carbs somehow altered? Maybe from different bike model? IIRC B12 should use Mikuni BST36SS carbs (i am not really sure about diameter, maybe it is 34).

[Vidrazor]

Well, yeah, I've been thinking this bike has been hacked, although I must say it looks surprisingly stock regardless. However the database is not listing the throttle position sensor on my model year, so therein is a mystery.

[chevsuz12]

 i believe that was only used on certain emission regulated models...think california.  there are no electronics on 1st gen bandit carbs.

[RDUBandit]

Throttle position sensor.  2nd gen. bikes have them.  They can be removed (I did it on two of my 1200s) with no effect in performance or gas mileage).  I even went so far as to remove all the wiring to the ignition module.

[ventYl]

I know one B12 1998 or 1999 which has TPS mounted (and I doubt anyone would fiddle to retrofit it). Workshop manual also mentions TPS being mounted on all B12s (for B6s only from model year Y onwards) but maybe for US market it was all different.

[Cincykz]

I know old topic and probably resolved by now, but there is a small connector towards the right side (~1/4") to that supplies power to the carb heaters (if equipped-most bikes don't have them.)

The TPS plug is over 1/2" across, and I haven't seen a 2000/1st gen model with TPS.

If you don't have carb heaters, the small plug just floats around by carb 4.