Washed bike thoroughly; won't start

[Phare Est]

I gave my XS1100 a good washing yesterday, but it wouldn't start afterward. Absolutely nothing happened when I pressed the start button (kill switch was in the RUN position). It's not the battery, since it was fully charged and all the lights worked when I turned the key to the ON position. I took the seat off and noticed a bit of water on top of the battery and wiped it off. I removed the side covers, but all seemed dry. I also removed the spark plug cables; there was indeed water on the plugs, so I wiped that off too.

I let the bike dry off for 24 hours, but it still won't start. Could the problem be inside the right handle switch assembly? Where else could it lie?

Thank you !

[natemoen]

Pickup coil wires are probably failing and when it gets wet the coil ground out. There are many writeups on different ways to fix them on here. Do a search and find which way works best for you.

[Radioguylogs]

. Could the problem be inside the right handle switch assembly?

Since your starter motor is not getting any juice, that's the first place I would look - at the kill switch.

It only takes a minute to take it apart and jumper past the kill switch to diagnose.

Let us know if this doesn't work.

[jetmechmarty]

Put the bike in gear. Squeeze the clutch lever and see if it starts.

[jetmechmarty]

The harness got wet. Bottom left side of the engine. Off the top of my head, I believe it will start if you disconnect the neutral switch. The neutral switch is bottom left as well.

[sethhope]

May also be the ground at the handle bar switch. I had that problem after i first got my bike and cleaned it. Turns out it's kinda finicky.

[Phare Est]

Problem solved

First off, thanks to everyone for the suggestions, which helped me find the trouble spot.

The problem was under the gas tank where the switch assembly wires connect to the harness. I had to disconnect and reconnect them, then bend the wires in a certain way for the starter motor to finally fire up. I suppose some water got under the gas tank and into the connectors when I washed it. I'm glad it was an easy fix!

[motoman]

First off, thanks to everyone for the suggestions, which helped me find the trouble spot.

The problem was under the gas tank where the switch assembly wires connect to the harness. I had to disconnect and reconnect them, then bend the wires in a certain way for the starter motor to finally fire up. I suppose some water got under the gas tank and into the connectors when I washed it. I'm glad it was an easy fix!

.....for now anyway. That plug-in being the issue completes the running circuit and is directly connected to the run/stop switch on right side of handlebars. So as to not get stranded somewhere from nowhere, I suggest you unplug that connection and clean those contacts on both wires with CRC electrical cleaner. Plug back together and add a small dab of dielectic grease around outside where connector is where wires go into the plug-ins.

[Phare Est]

Thanks motoman! I'll be sure to do that.

[motoman]

Thanks motoman! I'll be sure to do that.

Same goes for the kill switch too. Remove from bars and take apart and clean. Watch for the teeny spring inside switch.