My ole girl has an electrical problem
#1
03-13-2012, 05:08 AM
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Montgomery, AL USA
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My ole girl has an electrical problem
Well, my sweetheart has laid down on me!
Here's the facts:
When I turn on the switch I get dim dash lights. I can wiggle the main plug and other wires around or just wait a bit until I get full lights, but hitting the starter button knocks all the lights back out and then gives me dim dash lights again.
At the time I checked the battery after running it down some, it had 12.3 volts at the battery.
When I turn the switch on the voltage drops to about 3 volts.
I cleaned the battery terminals.
I cleaned the main plug with electrical cleaner.
Past history:
Replaced rectifier about 6 months ago with the UK brand.
Periodically when I hit the starter button, nothing would happen on the first push of the button, but 2nd try usually worked. Probably a corroded contact somewhere.
Rewired the 3 wires coming out of the key switch a couple of years ago after someone cut them trying to steal it. No problems since.
I havent pulled the starter/kill switch apart yet. And what will I check when Im in there? I also plan on checking the rectifier connections when I have time.
Any other ideas? Sorting out electrical problems is not one of my strong points.
I think the fact that the battery voltage drops hard with the switch on is telling me something, but I just dont know what.
As always guys, thanks for the help!
Here's the facts:
When I turn on the switch I get dim dash lights. I can wiggle the main plug and other wires around or just wait a bit until I get full lights, but hitting the starter button knocks all the lights back out and then gives me dim dash lights again.
At the time I checked the battery after running it down some, it had 12.3 volts at the battery.
When I turn the switch on the voltage drops to about 3 volts.
I cleaned the battery terminals.
I cleaned the main plug with electrical cleaner.
Past history:
Replaced rectifier about 6 months ago with the UK brand.
Periodically when I hit the starter button, nothing would happen on the first push of the button, but 2nd try usually worked. Probably a corroded contact somewhere.
Rewired the 3 wires coming out of the key switch a couple of years ago after someone cut them trying to steal it. No problems since.
I havent pulled the starter/kill switch apart yet. And what will I check when Im in there? I also plan on checking the rectifier connections when I have time.
Any other ideas? Sorting out electrical problems is not one of my strong points.
I think the fact that the battery voltage drops hard with the switch on is telling me something, but I just dont know what.
As always guys, thanks for the help!
#2
03-13-2012, 05:19 AM
Retired Super Moderator - At large E=MC2
Sounds like a combo of bad connection/loose wire and battery is failing.
I'd go through the entire harness, inspecting and cleaning all of the connectors. Then packing them with di-electric grease to guard against corrosion. Check all of the wiring runs for frays/broken/damage. If the battery is over 3-ish years, probably time to consider replacement.
Hope this helps, Ern
I'd go through the entire harness, inspecting and cleaning all of the connectors. Then packing them with di-electric grease to guard against corrosion. Check all of the wiring runs for frays/broken/damage. If the battery is over 3-ish years, probably time to consider replacement.
Hope this helps, Ern
#3
03-13-2012, 05:55 AM
#4
03-13-2012, 03:33 PM
Join Date: Jul 2008
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#5
03-13-2012, 04:27 PM
Softball - don't remind me Ronnie - just finishing the Basketball travel tournaments with
mine then back to the majors for softball - great fun tho '
always worth it.
think your starter button and switch may be the culprit , or intermediate harness plug
to the RR or the ignition switch itself
MotoBatt MBTX14AU if you are getting one - awesome battery
not to leave anything out here - but Venus & Jupiter might be to blame as well
mine then back to the majors for softball - great fun tho '
always worth it.think your starter button and switch may be the culprit , or intermediate harness plug
to the RR or the ignition switch itself
MotoBatt MBTX14AU if you are getting one - awesome battery
not to leave anything out here - but Venus & Jupiter might be to blame as well
Last edited by Sprock; 03-13-2012 at 04:30 PM.
#6
03-13-2012, 07:32 PM
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Sprock,
Where's a good source for the MOTBATT? I was thinking of buying another Westco battery but price IS an issue right now.
I'm off work tomorrow and will spend some time troubleshooting. But again this afternoon when I got home from the game I had the same symptoms of voltage dropping and hooking a car battery to it and immediately being able to start it that way.
Where's a good source for the MOTBATT? I was thinking of buying another Westco battery but price IS an issue right now.
I'm off work tomorrow and will spend some time troubleshooting. But again this afternoon when I got home from the game I had the same symptoms of voltage dropping and hooking a car battery to it and immediately being able to start it that way.
#7
03-13-2012, 07:54 PM
Both mine came from Ebay one was 62 bucks the other 68
Hell not much on Ebay for them right now other than an 80 dollar one
Here's a better search !
Impact Battery seems the one - 62 bucks shipped
Hell not much on Ebay for them right now other than an 80 dollar one
Here's a better search !
Impact Battery seems the one - 62 bucks shipped
Last edited by Sprock; 03-13-2012 at 08:00 PM.
#9
03-14-2012, 03:35 AM
Hey:
It is alot of times the switch is corroded or worn so check there. next this might be a option for the battery, know of a few that have used them with good success but they are fairly new so don't know how long they will last but are a good AGM and thats always better than a lead acid, just check the sizing.
good luck on whatever you choose, YTX14AHL-BS YTX14AHLBS GTX14AHL-BS UTX14AHL YB14L-A2 AGM Battery Replaces YUASA | eBay
Dub
It is alot of times the switch is corroded or worn so check there. next this might be a option for the battery, know of a few that have used them with good success but they are fairly new so don't know how long they will last but are a good AGM and thats always better than a lead acid, just check the sizing.
good luck on whatever you choose, YTX14AHL-BS YTX14AHLBS GTX14AHL-BS UTX14AHL YB14L-A2 AGM Battery Replaces YUASA | eBay
Dub
#10
03-14-2012, 05:36 AM
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Thank you pmcg for the offer. I may take you up on it.
Dub,
I'm tempted to try that battery due to the price! I normally dont like cutting costs on batteries, but my wife and I bought a used 4 wheeler a few weeks ago and it used up some of my spending money. then I found out my daughter needs braces, and thats gonna cost a fortune!
As always, thanks for all the help and support guys! Gonna clean electrical contacts today and I may mount a battery from my Yamaha in the Hurricane today for test purposes. And, I will probably just go ahead an order a battery today since it hasnt been replaced since bought the bike about 3 or 4 years ago.
Dub,
I'm tempted to try that battery due to the price! I normally dont like cutting costs on batteries, but my wife and I bought a used 4 wheeler a few weeks ago and it used up some of my spending money. then I found out my daughter needs braces, and thats gonna cost a fortune!
As always, thanks for all the help and support guys! Gonna clean electrical contacts today and I may mount a battery from my Yamaha in the Hurricane today for test purposes. And, I will probably just go ahead an order a battery today since it hasnt been replaced since bought the bike about 3 or 4 years ago.