just quit running

[jeffe]

After all my struggles with carb problems I got my 78E up and running early last month. For miles it ran great. But coming home last night it shut off and would not restart. No missing or loss of power. I checked for spark and did not find any. I switched out a known goos TCI box [ the original ] for the lower milage one I had instalalled, no change. I did as good of job checking fuse, connections as I could along US 40, could not find any thing obvious.
I installed new pick up coils last year, checked those wires, still ok. Bike has an almost new battery. The only odd thing was that the tach was acting a little strange, wandered a little bit. I have heard about th infamous tip over switch but was not sure which one it was. Also if the ballast resister went bad would it go dead like this or would it fire on engine cranking and then quit?

[jeffe]

One good thing out of this a couple of good Samaritains stoped to help. While the wife stayed with us he wnt home to get his trailer and took us and the bike home. About a 50 mile round trip for them. Would not take any $. He gave me his number and said if I have to trailer it to the shop give him a call and he will help me out. This made a bad day livable. There are still good people out there.

[Ken Talbot]

Maybe the main fuse - the one in its own in-line holder under the left-side side cover??

[jeffe]

I forgot to mention that it cranks over fine, all the light etc work ok. Would it still do this if the main fuse was blown?

[fxrer]

It’s good to hear there are still Samaritans out there who will lend a hand. I’m sure that lessened your anxiety.

Assuming obvious things like fuel is flowing, and the kill switch is “on”. Does the starter crank the motor over? If so, put a screw driver in one plug cap, hold it near engine ground, crank it over, and see (or listen) if there is a spark. If so, it’s gas or air problem, if not:

Ballast resistor is under tank, under left frame rail, near front down tube.

Tip over switch, also under tank, is rubber mounted to rear side of frame cross member. You can disconnect electrical connector , located on right side of frame member, just forward of the switch. Jumper the connector and see if it works.

Also, there are two fuses to check - the main fuse, 30 amp, in the rubber holder under the left cover, and the ignition fuse, 10a, forward most in the fuse panel under the right side cover.

[jeffe]

I have checked for spark and there is none. 3/4 tank of fuel,does flow, bike did not stutter or anything, quot as if hit kill switch, it is in run postion. Engine cranks fine I replaced fuse box with inline fuses last summer, have checked connections and fuses, seem ok. Will check main fuse,see previous reply with question about it. Will check tip over switch.

[fxrer]

Tip over switch is "normally open" - if bike leans 60 deg, switch closes, gounding out ignition.

To test, disconnect and remove switch, put ohmeter across the leads. In vertical position, resistance should be infinite; if resistance is zero, swtich is your problem. Tilt switch 60 deg, switch should close, and resistance drop to zero - then switch is OK.

[skids]

Re: just quit running

Check the charging current, although it could be as intermittant as the tach has been. Note that when the battery volts drop below 10.5(?) the black box will send no spark! I suggest a check and cleaning of the connectors at the regulator and at the clips behind the fuse panel.

Originally posted by jeffe

I installed new pick up coils last year, checked those wires, still ok. Bike has an almost new battery. The only odd thing was that the tach was acting a little strange, wandered a little bit.

[TopCatGr58]

Jeffe,

I concur with Skids, sounds like the charging system is down. The erratic tach is a warning sign, cause it runs off pulses from the charging system, when the volt/reg/rect is acting up, it messes with the charging and also the TACH. You had enough power while the battery was charged, but as you rode, the battery slowly drained until the voltage dropped below the TCI's level of operation...shutdown! May still have enough juice to push the starter motor...probably slower, but not enough to fire the TCI! Recharge battery, and then after it starts, do a charging system check!!
T.C.