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!

 

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

 

+1. Sounds like the battery is toast and a connection is bad. Charge and test the battery. Could be that the battery cables are loose or dirty as well.

 

I wish I had more time to work on it, but I have to run to my daughters softball game. I jumped it off with a car battery so I think you guys are right-the battery for one.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

I have an extra starter switch that I know works. I can send it to you for test purposes and you can send it back to me when you're done.

 

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

 

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.