electrical failure

[kevxs]

I've had a loose wire (big red one) going into my fuse box that was causing my bike to not work recently, i re crimped it best I could with the toolkit pliers and kinda forgot about it. yesterday I get gas and after I hit the started i hear a click and I lose all electrical power. I fiddle with the wire and ignition key and get power back, but everytime I hit the starter the same thing happens (total electrical power loss). I fiddle around and get power back and use the kicker to start it up and got to work and home that way.

This morning I go out and crimp the wire good and tight and hit the starter, I hear the click, lose all power and now it seems I cannot get the power to come back on at all.

Had to leave for work so forgot to check the fuses but obviously there is something else wrong here. Perhaps that bad connection built up resistance and melted something? The click noise was coming from the left side of the bike as far as I could tell, I would expect a click from the solenoid but it didn't seem to come from there.

Anyway, as always looking for some ideas on where to start troubleshooting.

thanks!

[Tenorman]

My thoughts....

My first thought would be to check the battery connections...

Secondly, take off the left side cover and check the main fuse (the one in the black holder) and make sure it is good and not corroded.

Third, maybe check the nearest ground from the battery to the frame....

Sounds like a bad connection...maybe the one you have already have checked.

Hope this helps!

Tenorman

[dbeardslee]

You might try pulling the fuse block mounting plate off and checking the connections behind it as well. The connector that goes between the alternator and the regulator rectifier is notorious for getting corroded, then getting hot, then melting. It's the one with the three heavy white wires going into it. If it goes your battery may not charge. Might be something as simple as a low/dead battery.

There are several other connectors behind that plate too, and they're often neglected. JAT

[motoman]

All of what above posted MAY be related. My thought falls more along the line that that the early model of xs11's need bar assembly grounded for start button,high beam switching,etc. This ALSO includes the kill switch and start button grounded.

[kevxs]

need more help

So far battery, fuses and connectors all look good, nothing melted behind the fuse box. Not seeing this main black fuse under the left cover tenorman mentioned. I am getting power again to my dash and i assume it will start again with the kick starter but i need to determine why pressing the starter button causes all the power to go out.

[kevxs]

im curious to check the wire going to the starter motor but i believe the carbs will have to come off for me to access it. can anyone help me trace the ignition current path?

[dbeardslee]

You might try jumpering the starter relay just to get the handlebar switch out of the loop. Might help you determine whether the problem is in the starter circuit or the handlebar switch. JAT

Or it could be the ignition switch itself (where you put the key). I know mine was pretty grungy and required cleaning. On a standard there's a bunch of wire connections inside the headlight bucket, and I recall some issues there too. I'm not sure where those connections are on a special, though.

[DiverRay]

Your main fuse is in the fuse panel on the '79. '80 and up have a fuse under the left cover for the main.
I would check ALL your ground connections by loosening them, clean any rust, apply anti-seize or no-ox and re-tighten the bolts.
The ignition switch is held on with 2 10mm bolts that can be had from underneath with a 6" extension on a 1/4" drive ratchet. It has three heavy wires on the connector, make sure all three are NOT discolored or melted. Pulling the switch apart, you will have some springs trying to fly away to a new home, so work on a clean area with a backstop. I use crocus cloth to clean the contacts, putting it on a FLAT surface and move the switch back and forth over it.
But first, get a Volt Ohm Meter and see what you have for voltage. check the battery as you try to start the bike, does it stay above 11 volts? what is the voltage difference between the battery and the connector at the switch, how about the connection at the fuse panel? These are things you will need to check.

[kevxs]

thanks guys, I'll get to work over the weekend.

[motoman]

I've had a loose wire (big red one) going into my fuse box that was causing my bike to not work recently, i re crimped it best I could with the toolkit pliers and kinda forgot about it. yesterday I get gas and after I hit the started i hear a click and I lose all electrical power. I fiddle with the wire and ignition key and get power back, but everytime I hit the starter the same thing happens (total electrical power loss). I fiddle around and get power back and use the kicker to start it up and got to work and home that way.

This morning I go out and crimp the wire good and tight and hit the starter, I hear the click, lose all power and now it seems I cannot get the power to come back on at all.

Had to leave for work so forgot to check the fuses but obviously there is something else wrong here. Perhaps that bad connection built up resistance and melted something? The click noise was coming from the left side of the bike as far as I could tell, I would expect a click from the solenoid but it didn't seem to come from there.

Anyway, as always looking for some ideas on where to start troubleshooting.

thanks!

Careful of that excessive amperage draw from a poor connection...........can fry more than it already has.

[kevxs]

Fixed!

simple cleaning of the battery terminals did the job. thanks everyone!

[motoman]

So far battery, fuses and connectors all look good, nothing melted behind the fuse box. Not seeing this main black fuse under the left cover tenorman mentioned. I am getting power again to my dash and i assume it will start again with the kick starter but i need to determine why pressing the starter button causes all the power to go out.

'lookin' good' ain't gonna cut it my friend. Your gonna have to take apart connectors and clean. The stop switch wires plug-in under tank on upper right side of frame needs to come off and apart and cleaned also.

[dbeardslee]

simple cleaning of the battery terminals did the job. thanks everyone!

Simple is good. Glad you nailed it.

[motoman]

Simple is good. Glad you nailed it.

Corrosion of THAT alone means you better pull apart others before they fry some 200miles from nowhere..

[BowlingSS]

simple cleaning of the battery terminals did the job. thanks everyone!

Glad it is running now.

Bill