Battery is good but bike wont start

[Sebastian_99]

Hey everyone, I just picked up a 79' XS-1100 Special today and it was running fine and when I pulled up to stop I accidentally stalled it out. After I stalled it it suddenly wasn't getting any power whatsoever (no lights, no neutral light, no starter trying turn the engine over, nothing). I grabbed a voltage meter from the car part store across the street and first checked the battery, it is fine. I then traced the wires to what I assume is some big relay...still getting power. All the visible fuses were fine as well. Any ideas on what the issue may be?
I need to get this solved ASAP cause its sitting in a parking lot.

[cpmaynard1980]

Have you checked the ground connection? if the battery has power but no ground then you wont have power anywhere. You could do a continuity check between the - side of the battery and somewhere on the frame away from the battery. or run a jumper wire from the - side of the battery to another point on the frame. I ran into a problem like this when i put coated bars on one of my bikes. The electric starter wouldnt work without a jumper. just an idea. Hope it helps you.

[DGXSER]

could be the main fuse, or the key switch. If it has the factory fuse box, it is not uncommon for the fuse to look fine, but the end is actually loose, or the clip is not tight and conducting.

[Sebastian_99]

I can try that out. How would that explain it working and ten suddenly crapping out though?

[graybird78]

main power fuse .not in fuse box.try under left side cover.its by itself

[Sebastian_99]

could be the main fuse, or the key switch. If it has the factory fuse box, it is not uncommon for the fuse to look fine, but the end is actually loose, or the clip is not tight and conducting.

I checked the main fuse and tested it on the voltage meter and it was good to go. The contacts were a bit corroded but nothing too crazy. What is the key switch and where/how do I make sure it is ok?

[Sebastian_99]

main power fuse .not in fuse box.try under left side cover.its by itself

At the risk of sounding like a complete fool but what does it look like? Any chance you have a picture? That would help me immensely.

[bikerphil]

Your 79 has the main fuse in the fuse box under the RH cover, only the 80-81 has it seperate under the left. It should be a 30 amp fuse.

Edit: You can check the connector for the key switch in the headlight bucket, red, brown and blue wire. The connector can melt and cause power loss.

[DGXSER]

on the 79 the main fuse is in the fuse panel, its the 30 amp fuse. Key switch = main switch, where you put the key and turn to ON to power the bike.

Highly recommend to check for power at the wires where they go into the fuse clips. the clip may not get power to the wire.

If you have power at the tan wires going to your fuses, the key switch is probably not the issue.

[MaximPhil]

C|ould it be as simple as knocking the "Kill Switch" on the handle bar ?
Try wiggiling the wires that go to that switch too.
Phil

[Newbee]

won't start

You say no power you didn't hit kill switch by accident?I also have coated bars which I have to sand every year or I don't get anything even after need to twist starter button housing to make contact.

[Sebastian_99]

I just stopped by to check those fuses...no luck. They are good though the main one is a bit corroded on the inside. Unfortunately I couldn't just swap them becyase the part store was closed already. As far as the wiring out of the key switch, it seems fine. However I peeked under the seat and there is a melted connector there with green wires. Might that e the issue? On another note how do I even pop the seat up?

[Sebastian_99]

I apologize in advance...electrical issues are beyond me.

[crazy steve]

If the bike still has the OEM fusebox, check for 12v power to ground at both red wires connected to the 30 amp fuse. If good, then turn on the key and check for power at the brown wires at the top of the box. If no power, then the ignition switch or it's plug has failed.

If the wiring has been hacked at all, then you'll have to dig out the diagram and start tracing....

[natemoen]

This is going to sound weird, but, don't check the fuse, check the contacts on the outgoing side with the meter. Check the volts to ground. I am betting the fuse and/or connectors are good enough to pass a continuity check but cannot pass enough voltage to run things.