Electrical Help Needed

[Uesque]

Here's what's happening. The motor will just cut out completely, usually on deceleration almost always in the middle of an intersection. Tach drops to zero even if the bike is still in gear and the engine moving. If I turn the key off and back on, it fires right up. I doubt it's a fuel issue as when I run out, the tach still registers engine speed if it's moving.

This morning I replaced coil, plugs and wires. That did nothing. What next? Ignition switch? It happens no matter which of the on positions the key is in.

[SafetyMan]

Sounds like it's in the ignition due to everything going dead blank.


Maybe a loose connection?

[Uesque]

Originally Posted by SafetyMan

Sounds like it's in the ignition due to everything going dead blank.


Maybe a loose connection?

Well now you have me curious because the tach goes dead, but I don't think the lights do. Now I have to go for another ride.

[SafetyMan]

....any excuse to ride is worth it.


Glad I could help.

[Ancient Iron]

I'd give your grounds a good inspection also.

[Dinero]

Too old for idle/air mixture so I'm guessing severe drop in voltage/amperage. Maybe ground or battery connections.

[Uesque]

Further info. As suspected, none of the other electrics go out when it happens. Lights, turn signals, etc. all work fine. It does make a really big bang if you don't remember to ease off the throttle while turning the key off and on.

[Crabby Appleton]

Originally Posted by Uesque

Further info. As suspected, none of the other electrics go out when it happens. Lights, turn signals, etc. all work fine. It does make a really big bang if you don't remember to ease off the throttle while turning the key off and on.

what year and model?


sorry.....I'm new

[Uesque]

Originally Posted by cwilks

what year and model?


sorry.....I'm new

'89 FXRS-SP. I've been looking through the wiring diagram for a likely culprit, but it just gives me a headache.

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by Uesque

'89 FXRS-SP. I've been looking through the wiring diagram for a likely culprit, but it just gives me a headache.

Almost seems like killswitch circuit. But why does it start after you cycle the key? You have not changed handlebars recently have you?

[Crabby Appleton]

what kinda ignition?

[Uesque]

Originally Posted by Jonas

Almost seems like killswitch circuit. But why does it start after you cycle the key? You have not changed handlebars recently have you?

I'm starting to suspect that as it behaves identically to turning off the kill switch. I haven't changed the bars but I did replace the throttle cables which are on that side.

Edit: Happened again on the way to work this morning and cycling the kill switch worked. Three times. I need to get in there and clean up the switch and check the wiring I bet. I just did the turn signal switch on the other side and it was pretty cruddy in there. Not only did I have the right housing apart to do the throttle cables, but put on quite a few miles in the rain since then.

Originally Posted by cwilks

what kinda ignition?

Bone stock.

[fxr4mikey]

did you find the cause of this problem ?
have you fixed this problem ?

[Uesque]

Originally Posted by fxr4mikey

did you find the cause of this problem ?
have you fixed this problem ?

Not yet but when the bike gets wet, the problem goes away for a while. With school, I haven't had time to dig into the kill switch.

[jasilva]

I doubt it's your kill switch if cycling the ignition switch fixes it. I bet the contacts in your ignition switch are worn and the bouncing of the keys in the switch cause it to loose contact. Bypass the ignition switch with a jumper wire, take it for a ride I bet the problem doesn't occur. The other possibility if your bike has a bank angle sensor it could be bad. Those kill the ignition when they sense the bank angle is beyond 45 degrees, the tach goes dead then.