97 Tourer - Total Power Failure

[StormRiderCA]

Hi guys,

Just needed a little advise.
I went to start my Valk last night as part of my winter maintenance...
Inserted Key, turned on ignition, lights came on everything powered up and I pushed the starter button and lost all electrical power.  No lights, No starter, nothing.

Checked battery - OK

I expect I've blown a fuse or relay, but now I need to figure out which one...
I think it's the 'red' fuse, right side harness (starter fuse/relay?) but I need some help.

Thanks in advance for the support.

[Bighead]

Did your lights come back on when you released the starter button? (Reason I ask is it could be stuck in between contact on and off) I was on a trip one time and the stater button had a short of sorts in it just played with the button flipping it in and out several times and it started working again. When I got home from my trip I took the switch out and cleaned the contacts and it still works today. Just a thought.

[StormRiderCA]

No lights, no dash, no power whatever at this time.

Removed key, checked battery (ok) retry, no electrical power at all.

[Gryphon Rider]

Disconnect the battery, then have a good look at the starter relay and attached fuse.

[HayHauler]

You need to check both ends of the battery cables.  Mine did the exact same thing and the positive cable was a little corroded.  I cleaned up all 4 ends and she fired right up.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[MarkT]

You need to check both ends of the battery cables.  Mine did the exact same thing and the positive cable was a little corroded.  I cleaned up all 4 ends and she fired right up.

Hay  
Jimmyt

Yep.  My money's on the engine ground - back of the aluminum engine block.  Move it to a steel ground - closest is the driver's footpeg bracket mount (If on the side of the road) or add a ground strap from the end of that ground wire to the steel ground.  If you do the first, change to the second when you get home so you have a better ground between engine and frame.  And improve/clean the connection at the engine block - a star washer would be good here.

[gordonv]

Kill switch turned on?

Which model Valk? A buddy recommended to press the start button before turning the ignition on, to avoid the sudden power draw and any arching on the starter switch.

My thought is still the starter switch, like mentioned.

[Attic Rat]

Yep Jimmy I had the same thing happen to me several years ago. Cleaned both ends of the positive and negative battery cables. That fixed the problem. Mine was on the negative cable on the engine that was corroded. Cleaned it and all has been well now for several years.

[StormRiderCA]

Some new info after attempting some troubleshooting:
Checked ground connection, removed bolts and re-set.

I used a volt meter to test for the following:
Battery = 11.4v (OK)
Battery to frame (ground) = 11.4v (OK)
Checked starter relay fuse = OK

Here is what I noticed when I turned on key:
No dash lights or any other power apparent.
When I pushed the starter switch, the dash light came on briefly.

I checked the battery  and noted the following:
Battery = 11.4v when ignition key is OFF
Battery = 2.4v when ignition key is ON

This looks to me like a short, now I just need to find where.
Could this be a bad starter relay
or
Bad starter switch?

Any thoughts....?

Thanks.

[Ricky-D]

Sounds like a bad battery to me!

***

[indybobm]

I think that if you had a short that would pull the battery down to 2.4 volts you would be blowing fuses and burning wires. Looks like it time to get a new battery.

[pouch]

could have an issue with on and off switch happened to me going around an 18 wheler was not good but by passed switch and rode off. pouch

[Bocephus]

Starter Relay.http://www.amazon.com/Starter-Solenoid-GL2003/dp/B007473OWI/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_4_S9RB1500-Valkyrie-1997-

[StormRiderCA]

Congratulations Ricky-D!

After all the troubleshooting and metering I dug out the jumper cables....
Much to my chagrin, she started up right away.

Bad cells in the battery!  Enough juice to power a meter, not enough to power the bike.

Now.... how foolish do I feel????!!

Thanks all for your help and suggestions!

[jdp]

Check your kick stand switch might have just came loose,easy check