Taillight works and that's all.

[Mike Woodman]

New to this forum. I'd been looking for an XS 11 Standard that I could afford for a long time and finally found one toward the end of last summer. I rode it no more than 6 times. The last ride being a bumpy one. When I went to start it again the neutral light etc. would come on but when I hit the starter button all lights went out and I had no juice at all. I put it up for the winter and now when I turn key to on the taillight come on but nothing else. The PO put individual fuses inline and they all seem OK. I get juice on one side of the Solenoid but not the other with the key on. I took out the solenoid but I'm thinking that might not be the problem. Does this sound more like the ignition switch? Any help would be appreciated. I'm easily baffled by wiring. PS has anyone upgraded to a breaker box?

[skids]

Re: Taillight works and that's all.

Welcome fellow xsive!

Chances are that the battery is dead. Have it load tested at the place that sells batteries. If it is dead, you can trade it in (core)and save a trip. I can tell you the trash man does not like used batteries...

Yes, you can upgrage the fuse box. Go with spade fuses and try to get the type that has individual inputs instead of one common input with several outputs. You can attach the new fusebox to the old fusebox's back plate with a little modification. No big deal.

Originally posted by Mike Woodman
New to this forum. (snip) PS has anyone upgraded to a breaker box?

[Dragonrider]

Possibly a loose battery cable connection...maybe the ground at the frame?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mike,

And Skids,

Check out this thread!
Replacement Fuse Block Thread
T.C.

PS, check all of your connections, pull the wires off of the battery, corrosion can form between connecting surfaces where you can't see any on the outside of the junctions!

[Mike Woodman]

I'll have at it again today with a fresh brain. I've got a light bulb grounded to the frame and get juice at the pos batt terminal, so the grounding is OK. I thought I'd left electrical problems behind when I sold my last Triumph.

[rockjok]

Any chance your bike has a fuse under the LEFT side cover? I've had this problem but can't recall what it protected or which models have this setup.

Rob

[Mike Woodman]

I'm back to the solenoid, and I'm pretty sure it's faulty. If I connect a wire from battery + to the red wire on the solenoid, all lights up as it should and if I hit the starter button it activates the starter but of course I wouldn't hold the button for more than a second. Now I guess I'll start the search for a solenoid. There's a seperate fuse below the solenoid With two screws on the bottom of the housing. I can't find any mention of it on the wiring dia gram. I'll be sure to post the results of my solenoid search and wheather that cured my problem. I WANNA RIDE!!! Thanks for the help.

[Mike Woodman]

I'm scratching my head, but with a big smile on my face. I installed an aftermarket fuse block, wired the solenoid back up, put a seperate spade fuse in the ign switch curcuit and when I turned the key I had instrument lights. It started right off and everything works like it should. So I really don't know what was wrong but I'll keep my fingers crossed on my first few rides. First I have to put the seat etc back on. Thanks for all your help guys.