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  • Voltage problem

    Hi xs eleven riders,

    I own a 1980 xs elven GS. It's in a very good shape though i'll have to change the timing chaine next winter.. But that's not my questionning issue.
    I have a electrical problem i'd like some advice to solve. My headlight doesn't turn on at idle like it should. When i rise up the rpm a bit, the light comes on. The flasher lights turn on but don't flash. They may sometimes flash with I rev up the motor pass 4000 rpm.
    My battery voltage is good and the alt seem to charge. My guess where the problem is would be the voltage regulator and rectifier.

    What do you think ? (Thanks in advance for your advices)

    Mugsy, Qc, Can.


  • #2
    That would be my best guess.

    Patrick
    The glorious rays of the rising sun exist only to create shadows in which doom may hide.

    XS11F (Incubus, daily rider)
    1969 Yamaha DT1B
    Five other bikes whose names do not begin with "Y"

    Comment


    • #3
      Hey Mugsy,

      Sorry, but seems to charge doesn't quite get it! Do you have a multimeter, or a simple voltmeter and or ohmeter? You'll need to do some real tests, across the battery posts at idle....probably 12 volts, but should get to 14.5 at 3k+rpm. The headlight relay latches when it gets a power signal from the ALTernator. There are 3 big white terminals behind the fuseblock where the ALT connects to the harness...they get corroded, can even melt if enough resistance builds up. Also, grounds on the reg/rect as well as the many wires that connect to the RR's mounting screws, and other ground connections, like the rear of the engine to frame at starter motor, not just the negative to ground on the frame at the battery.

      Your RR may be okay, but corrosion may be robbing you of needed power.
      How old is your battery, weak batteries can also actually cause charging problems.
      T.C.
      T. C. Gresham
      81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
      79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
      History shows again and again,
      How nature points out the folly of men!

      Comment


      • #4
        Voltage problem 2

        Hey, thanks TopCat, too bad i don't have you as a neighbor...

        I'll check on following your tips...My multimeter runs wild when i stat up my bike, and the terminals aren't even touching anything. It's like the meter was picking up static in the air close to the bike. I tried to test the voltage regulator as the clymer books recommends, but too much static... But i'll begin by checking any corroded leads like you said...

        Thanks again...

        Mugsy

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Mugsy View Post
          Hey, thanks TopCat, too bad i don't have you as a neighbor...

          I'll check on following your tips...My multimeter runs wild when i stat up my bike, and the terminals aren't even touching anything. It's like the meter was picking up static in the air close to the bike. I tried to test the voltage regulator as the clymer books recommends, but too much static... But i'll begin by checking any corroded leads like you said...

          Thanks again...

          Mugsy

          Are you using resistor plug caps or at least resistor plugs? That could be the problem with the meter but thats a new one for me!
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

          Comment


          • #6
            Problem solved

            Hi all of you who replied to my voltage problem solving request...

            It turns out that my voltage regulator is working ok.

            My flasher didn't work because of my flasher relay... the rest of the electrical outfit of the bike is A1.

            A new one is about $115 CA. I bought one for $9,00 CA without the auto shut-off. What the heck... The new bikes don't have it either...

            Still proud of my 1980 XS eleven GS...

            Thanks to the ones who took the time to answer my request....

            Mugs...

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Mugsy View Post
              Hi all of you who replied to my voltage problem solving request...

              It turns out that my voltage regulator is working ok.

              My flasher didn't work because of my flasher relay... the rest of the electrical outfit of the bike is A1.

              A new one is about $115 CA. I bought one for $9,00 CA without the auto shut-off. What the heck... The new bikes don't have it either...

              Still proud of my 1980 XS eleven GS...

              Thanks to the ones who took the time to answer my request....

              Mugs...
              Did you ever figure out why your headlight was not working at low RPMs?
              Nathan
              KD9ARL

              μολὼν λαβέ

              1978 XS1100E
              K&N Filter
              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
              OEM Exhaust
              ATK Fork Brace
              LED Dash lights
              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

              Green Monster Coils
              SS Brake Lines
              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

              Theodore Roosevelt

              Comment


              • #8
                Headlight at low RPM

                Hi Natemoen,

                Funny that I read your message about the headlight not running at low RPM. Because, just tonight, after a ride back home, my headlight went out as the lignts on my instrument panel.

                My guess would be some bad ground connection. I'll have to shake and test every connection between power and these lights.

                Hours of pleasure to come....

                Unless some of you guys have encounter this problem before...

                Mugs...

                Comment


                • #9
                  Just put a new battery on my eleven....
                  Did the job...hope the problem's fixed...

                  Gotta get on the road...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hopefully that is the end of those electrical gremlins, they can be tough to chase away sometimes! Good luck man!
                    Nathan
                    KD9ARL

                    μολὼν λαβέ

                    1978 XS1100E
                    K&N Filter
                    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                    OEM Exhaust
                    ATK Fork Brace
                    LED Dash lights
                    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                    Green Monster Coils
                    SS Brake Lines
                    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                    Theodore Roosevelt

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Electrical gremlins

                      I think i really found the electrical problem on my SG.

                      My headlight would go out at low RPM, like when the engine in not quite at running temp. Last sunday, I went city cruising, the weather was just wonderfull. Lots of stop lights and all, not running at high speed made my brand new battery go low... Back to checking fuses and relays....

                      There's a some kind of a relay hooked under the tank, left side, with two red wires coming out of it. One of the red wires was twisted and the inside seemed broken. I spliced it open and repared it... now the light keeps on even when I shut off the motor.

                      I'll keep looking at my battery condition if all this is related...

                      Live and learn....

                      Thanks for the moral support....

                      Mugsy.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Sounds like one of those troublesome things we call a short!! Sometimes it is reassuring to know more than just my body starts having problems after 30 years.
                        Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

                        When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

                        81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
                        80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


                        Previously owned
                        93 GSX600F
                        80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
                        81 XS1100 Special
                        81 CB750 C
                        80 CB750 C
                        78 XS750

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