Possible Electrical Problem

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  • barn63
    #1

    Possible Electrical Problem

    Hello. I have lurked on the forms for a while but I finally have a question you all might be able to help me with.

    My father has a 79 GS850. I was helping him trouble shoot why his bike wouldn't crank. He just replaced the starter solenoid.

    I tried to jump the post on the solenoid to see if the starter would even crank it it sparked and now we have no lights.

    I have replaced all the fuses. When the key is in the off position, the voltage at the main fuse is 12 volts. When you turn the key to the on position, the voltage drops to 0 volts. If I remove all 10 amp fuses and leave the main fuse, the voltage stays at 12 volts.

    What can I look for or is there a troubleshooting process I can use? Thank you.
    Tags: None
    • Guest
      #2
      Keep replacing the fuses one at a time and when you lose voltage you will have found your bad circuit

        Comment

        • barn63
          #3
          Thank you for the response. If I put any fuse in besides the main one, I get no voltage. When I look at the wiring diagram, after the you turn the key, power returns to the fuse box on the third fuse. However, like i said, any fuse causes zero volts. By the way, I am getting zero volts on the solenoid post that the battery connects to and where the fuse box pulls power from.

            Comment

            • lemonshindig
              #4
              ...dead battery?

              If any of those lower three fuses causes the symptoms you describe, then the problem is upstream of the fuse box. If you look at a wiring diagram (google Bike Cliff, you can find a wiring diagram on that site), you will see that those three fuses are all connected on one side, and that wire should be the output of your R/R... I think.

                Comment

                • Steve
                  GS Whisperer
                  • Jun 2005
                  • 35924
                  • southwest oHIo
                  #5
                  Originally posted by lemonshindig
                  ...dead battery?
                  That's what I would suggest, too.

                  First of all, your battery should be OVER 12 volts, more like 12.6 or 12.8.

                  Try a simple test. Find a headlight bulb or even a tail/brake light or turn signal bulb.
                  Use jumper wires to connect the bulb straight to the battery, watch the voltage as you connect it.
                  My guess is that it will do the same thing.

                  One more test? Use jumper cables to connect your bike to a car, but LEAVE THE CAR ENGINE OFF.
                  I'll bet that the bike works just fine.

                  Get a new battery for the bike. If it is a normal "wet" cell battery, be sure to initialize it properly before using it.

                  .
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                    Comment

                    • barn63
                      #6
                      Thanks for the suggestions. I will give those a try and provide you with more detailed information.

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