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Author Topic: A Little Nervous!  (Read 1547 times)
t-man403
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Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« on: September 30, 2015, 04:13:42 PM »

Took the bike down the street to fill her up and after doing that I hit the start switch and all that happened was I heard a click and lost all electrical......no headlight no nothing. I got the headlight to come back on several times by moving wiring around under the side cover but every time I hit the start switch it would loose all the electrical. Finally, I held the wires in place that I was pushing on when the light came back on and she fired up!
Today I when out to the garage and turned on the key with the bike in gear and hit the start button, light goes out, release and it comes back on like it should. Wiggled wiring all over the place and the light stayed on throughout ..... not even a flicker. So now I a little nervous to take her out as I would like to figure out the problem first. I'm going out to see if it will actually start now as I just got home from work.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2015, 04:39:54 PM by t-man403 » Logged

"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
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« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2015, 04:17:38 PM »

Have you done a starter switch cleaning ? I've had to do it a couple times in 60k on my standard. If not I would try that first. Be careful of losing the little parts.  cooldude
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t-man403
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Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2015, 04:22:57 PM »

Have you done a starter switch cleaning ? I've had to do it a couple times in 60k on my standard. If not I would try that first. Be careful of losing the little parts.  cooldude

Yes, "troutdude" took care of that last year on his visit up here.

One thing I did do that morning was a good wash with the pressure washer but I don't blast the switches.
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"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
t-man403
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Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2015, 04:35:46 PM »

Okay just went out and she did not start. Push the start button and this relay chatters (zip) and the light goes out. I give the relay a wack with my Leatherman and the light comes on immediately, but no start. Starter relay I'm assuming?

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"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2015, 04:41:13 PM »

Okay just went out and she did not start. Push the start button and this relay chatters (zip) and the light goes out. I give the relay a wack with my Leatherman and the light comes on immediately, but no start. Starter relay I'm assuming?


I'm a novice when it comes to electrical issues. But I remember someone posting that you could "jump" the connectors on the relay and get it to start. I don't know if that determines if it's the relay or the switch that's bad though.
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sandy
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Mesa, AZ.


« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2015, 04:46:40 PM »

Check the battery cables too. The neg cable has a tendency to corrode inside the insulation, down at the engine end.
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Patrick
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VRCC 4474

Largo Florida


« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2015, 05:12:57 PM »

I'd recommend cleaning the relay connections and giving them a greasing [ vasoline/di-electric] as well as removing and cleaning the battery terminals including the ground at the engine [ near left foot peg] as mentioned.

I also get real nervous when I hear about using a pressure washer.
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indybobm
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Franklin, Indiana VRCC # 5258


« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2015, 06:13:23 PM »

I would definitely take the red connector off of the starter relay and check the terminals. These can get corroded and the added electrical
 resistance results in heat that can melt the red connector.
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Gryphon Rider
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2000 Tourer

Calgary, Alberta


« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2015, 08:38:14 PM »

If the bike will start when you short those two terminals, you will know the battery is good.
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knockdolian
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« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2015, 12:00:33 AM »

Classic signs of loose battery lead. Check battery terminals are tight and the earth is good. If all good short the two big leads together on the starter relay. If it spins your probably looking at a interlock fault. Clutch, side stand
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Bone
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« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2015, 01:59:09 AM »

How old is your battery ?
Mine started fine and then acted as yours is acting 20 minutes later. Stopped at a local battery shop to have it load tested. Hooking it up the guy said it's only showing 9 volts the battery is toast. Checking my records I installed the battery 6.5 years ago.
2 weeks earlier I took a 900 mile trip guess I got lucky breaking down in my hometown.
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t-man403
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Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2015, 07:49:07 AM »

Classic signs of loose battery lead. Check battery terminals are tight

Nailed it!  cooldude

Read this this morning and thought it can't be that .... I just put in the battery this spring. Funny thing is, the positive cable was loose but the bolt was tight! I had to back it off and then re-tighten it. I must have double thread it.  Embarrassed
Weird how it took so long to show up.  Undecided

Thanks for the input every one!  Smiley
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« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2015, 08:23:35 AM »

Awesome ! I love fixes that are cheap and easy  cooldude
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t-man403
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Valk-a-maniac

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2015, 02:13:18 PM »

Come to think of it, my bike has been running like crap and I've been blaming it on bad fuel.
Could it be bad spark due to the battery cable being loose? The pipes sounded lousy as well.
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"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
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