Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech america dieing now

A while back I talked about my America missing. And just turning the key off cured it for the time being. Well now it die's and the same thing turn key off and away I go. I've changed thew batter and spark plug's it runnes really go and just die's. I havwe a led volt meter it's say'es I'm still charging when it died. It startes good and runne's good but I'm not going to take it on any long trip's tell I get this problem fixed. You will see me on my Harley and everyone will just need to deal with that. None of them or made for pushing. Rudyr

Let me give all you expertes some more info. on my dieing America. When it die's I've tryed dimming working lights brake switch light dipper switch horn carbi heaters wires ,wiggel the key. But when I tryed the kill switch it would star and run but not over 30 sec. to a min. But turn the key off and on it may run 5 miles or so. And the turn signel also. But when I got home I did look a very dirty voltage regulater so cleaned it but didn't take it out. Having a beer instead, and talking to some really silent experts. Rudy

Could there be some intermittent short in the ignition key switch?

Take a look at the key switch. Unbolt it from the frame and take it apart if you have to. Check to see if the plug is properly attached to the switch also.

When the engine dies, what else quits?
1. Do you still have power to the lights, the horn, signals etc etc.
2. When it quits, will the engine still turn over?

Giving as much detail as possible helps in the diagnosis.

is it sunny out?
Has the old lady up the road flushed her toilet?
Is the recrapitator cycled?

I've got right at 50,000 miles with no issues, until now. Lights or working when she dies it's genering 14.5 got oil pressur turn signel working everything is work but the engins not fireing. I even put in netural and moved the kick stand down and up no chang the no oil pressur light came on, turned key and put it gear and she started right up. And away I went as if nothing was wrong, till next time. Rudy

my brother had a problem like that but it was the fuel vent plugged. It would go down the road, stall, then start a few minutes later. found the problem by leaving the gas cap a little loose and it ran great. just a thought
jeff

Good point Jefferson.
Rudy, check the vent hose to see if it's pinched.
Look under the right side of the tank, you should be able to see it and follow it with your hand.

Make sure the battery cables are clean and tight and the fuses are not corroded. Check the solenoid connections too.

Lights stay on? Alternator still connected to the battery? Starter still cranks but no start? Then you cycle the key switch and all is fine?
So, what happens when you cycle the run/stop switch instead of the key switch? If that also cures it, I would be suspicious of the run/stop switch contacts or maybe the ignitor is getting confused and needs a reset.

If only cycling the keyswitch cures it, I would start by cleaning up the fuses and fusebox contacts, then start cleaning the connectors involved with the ignition wiring. This includes the wiring all the way back to the switch.
It may be that cycling the switch causes an arc across a bad contact that burns a path for the electric power, then the path heats and oxidizes to the point of opening up again.

The problem could also be not really related to the switch at all, just the time it takes to try a few things and then work the key. Like maybe a pinched tank vent hose or a loose ground.

I pulled the tank and unplug and pluged the igniter a couple of times and found one plug wire wasen't setted so pushed it in tight. Got about 200 miles and no problems. may a fix . Rudy