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    Main electrical help wanted

    Last week I had the GS in Colorado and it performed flawlessly with the exception of two times when I pushed the start button, I got nothing. With the 2nd attempt, it started just fine.

    Now back home, I went to take it to a car wash and riding up the hill from my house, I approached a stop sign and remembered my headlight was off. When I turned on the switch to the headlight, it acted like the main fuse had blown.

    I got back down the hill, trying to bump start it and nothing would happen--just like the kill switch was in the off position.

    Fuses are all OK and the only way I can get power to anything is with the handlebars fully turned and the key in the park position towards the right. In this position the tail light will come on. Other than that, I cannot get anything to work. No horn, no lights, nothing.

    I have done a little bit of testing but cannot find the fault yet. Any advice??????

    BTW, the battery is new and showing 12.7 volts.

    Appreciate any good advice.

    Thanks
    Larry

    '79 GS 1000E
    '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
    '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
    '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
    '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

    #2
    Connector under the tank on the right side, usually 9 pin square type could be pulling apart and loosing connection or corroded and causing the issues you are expeiencing.
    2018 Honda Africa Twin AS
    2013 DR 650 Grey, sold 1981 GS 650E Silver,

    1980 GS1000ST Blue & White, X2

    2012 DL650 Vstrom Foxy Orange, in storage
    1981 CT110 X2 "Postie Bikes" Gone to a New Home.
    2002 BMW 1150 GS Blue & White - Sold
    1975 BMW R90/6 Black - Sold 1984 GS1150EF Sold
    1982 BMW R100 Africa trip, Stolen - Recovered- Sold
    1977-1980 Suzuki GS550, GS1000E, GS1000S GSX750, GSX1100,s
    Hondas ST90, CR125 CB175 , CB350 CB750, NSU Quickly, Yamaha RD's 350/400,

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Kiwi Canuck View Post
      Connector under the tank on the right side, usually 9 pin square type could be pulling apart and loosing connection or corroded and causing the issues you are expeiencing.
      I just checked this 9 pin connecter and it is still clean and has dielectric grease still in it from 3 years ago when I cleaned all the plugs and connections. It appears to be OK.

      Anymore suggestions? Thanks in advance.
      Larry

      '79 GS 1000E
      '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
      '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
      '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
      '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

      Comment


        #4
        Larry,

        Possibly the ignition switch, if you look at the wiring diagram, you maybe able to jump the wires to bypass the switch and see if the issue goes away.

        Looks like jump R&O and Gr & Br if I read that correctly.



        It should be possible to remove the bottom of the ignition switch and check if the wires are still making good connection and that the contactors and in working condition.

        Use a multimeter to see if the contacts change when you switch the key on and off, the parking circuit appears to be be working properly.

        David.

        Edit, I have a spare ignition switch so let me test it to verify the operation, but first I need to make a key for it so will get back to you this afternoon.

        Once you remove the black plastic cover from the bottom of the assembly it's easy to test as the terminals are there.
        Last edited by Kiwi Canuck; 08-17-2017, 11:40 AM.
        2018 Honda Africa Twin AS
        2013 DR 650 Grey, sold 1981 GS 650E Silver,

        1980 GS1000ST Blue & White, X2

        2012 DL650 Vstrom Foxy Orange, in storage
        1981 CT110 X2 "Postie Bikes" Gone to a New Home.
        2002 BMW 1150 GS Blue & White - Sold
        1975 BMW R90/6 Black - Sold 1984 GS1150EF Sold
        1982 BMW R100 Africa trip, Stolen - Recovered- Sold
        1977-1980 Suzuki GS550, GS1000E, GS1000S GSX750, GSX1100,s
        Hondas ST90, CR125 CB175 , CB350 CB750, NSU Quickly, Yamaha RD's 350/400,

        Comment


          #5
          Hey Larry, are you sure the fuse is okay? I had a main fuse problem on my 1000. The fuse didn't blow, but the solder inside the glass melted from heat. I cleaned the fuse clips and everything was good again. Maybe worth looking at. Good luck buddy👍
          My Motorcycles:
          22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
          22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
          82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
          81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
          79 1000e (all original)
          82 850g (all original)
          80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

          Comment


            #6
            Broken wire in the main harness only allowing contact when the bars are turned? Should be easy enough to track down the root cause.
            De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

            http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Kiwi Canuck View Post
              Larry,

              Possibly the ignition switch, if you look at the wiring diagram, you maybe able to jump the wires to bypass the switch and see if the issue goes away.

              Looks like jump R&O and Gr & Br if I read that correctly.



              It should be possible to remove the bottom of the ignition switch and check if the wires are still making good connection and that the contactors and in working condition.

              Use a multimeter to see if the contacts change when you switch the key on and off, the parking circuit appears to be be working properly.

              David.

              Edit, I have a spare ignition switch so let me test it to verify the operation, but first I need to make a key for it so will get back to you this afternoon.

              Once you remove the black plastic cover from the bottom of the assembly it's easy to test as the terminals are there.
              I have removed the bottom cover of the switch and noticed changes in the connections when switching the key off and on. I must admit that I do not know what I am looking for when testing those 4 connectors under the cap. I just put my leads on one of them and the other lead went to another contact. Voltage would change so I guess the switch is not the problem????

              Originally posted by storm 64 View Post
              Hey Larry, are you sure the fuse is okay? I had a main fuse problem on my 1000. The fuse didn't blow, but the solder inside the glass melted from heat. I cleaned the fuse clips and everything was good again. Maybe worth looking at. Good luck buddy
              Norm, the fuse clips all look clean and I switched all 4 fuses with new ones and it made no difference. Thanks for your suggestion.

              Originally posted by rustybronco View Post
              Broken wire in the main harness only allowing contact when the bars are turned? Should be easy enough to track down the root cause.
              Not necessarily easy for someone with my small knowledge of electrical stuff.

              The reference to the bars turned was just showing the parking light is working when the key is turned all the way clockwise, past the on position.
              Your input is appreciated.
              Last edited by alke46; 08-17-2017, 04:57 PM.
              Larry

              '79 GS 1000E
              '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
              '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
              '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
              '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

              Comment


                #8
                I am running out of time right now to find the answer to my problem. I have to get busy doing other things as I will be traveling to Ind. for the weekend. Hopefully on Monday, I can get back to trouble shooting this problem.

                Keep the suggestions coming though as I can use all the help.

                Thanks
                Larry

                '79 GS 1000E
                '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Take the fuse box off & have a look at the back of it... Sometimes they melt back there & you get an intermittent. You can re-solder (and in my case I filled the case up with epoxy as well).

                  1980 GS1000G - Sold
                  1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                  1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                  1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                  2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                  1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                  2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

                  www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                  TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by salty_monk View Post
                    Take the fuse box off & have a look at the back of it... Sometimes they melt back there & you get an intermittent. You can re-solder (and in my case I filled the case up with epoxy as well).

                    Checked that and all the soldered ends look good. Thanks anyway.
                    Larry

                    '79 GS 1000E
                    '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                    '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                    '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                    '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      As it all went dead at the time I was switching the headlight on, I am wondering if it is something in that housing or maybe in the starter button housing since I had two different times when I hit the start button that it failed to make contact, then on the next attempt, it contacted and started right up.

                      Scratching my head here trying to make sense of the whole thing.
                      Larry

                      '79 GS 1000E
                      '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                      '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                      '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                      '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Seems like the horn should at least work though and maybe the turn signals. IDK!.
                        Larry

                        '79 GS 1000E
                        '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                        '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                        '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                        '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Clarification...
                          Fuses are all OK and the only way I can get power to anything is with the handlebars fully turned and the key in the park position towards the right. In this position the tail light will come on.
                          Does anything light up/work when the key is in the on position?

                          Does the bike crank? If it doesn't, have you tried jumping across the starter solenoid with a screwdriver to see if it will crank?
                          Last edited by rustybronco; 08-17-2017, 10:51 PM.
                          De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

                          http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by rustybronco View Post
                            Does anything light up/work when the key is in the on position?
                            No, nothing will work. This includes the horn, turn signals instrument lights and brake light. Nothing.

                            No, have not tried jumping across the starter solenoid yet. That will have to wait until Monday as I am leaving town for the weekend. Thanks.
                            Last edited by alke46; 08-18-2017, 06:36 AM.
                            Larry

                            '79 GS 1000E
                            '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                            '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                            '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                            '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Any further update?
                              De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

                              http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

                              Comment

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