 Electrical Problem
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152 |
Went to start my 2004 Speedmaster yesterday and as it turned over everything went dead. Battery is 12.5 volts, all the fuses are good. So I started wiggling wires and got the lights to come back on. Then I hit the starter and hear an arcing sound and dead again. More wiggling, power back, hit starter and arcing sound. I can't tell where it's coming from.
I'm hoping someone has had this problem before and can tell me where to start and maybe save me some time in tracking down the bad connection or short.
I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Headlight relay, adjacent to the turn signal relay on the frame spine, underneath the tank? That seems to be a trouble zone for many, including me, twice.
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Sounds like a battery cable is loose or corroded either at the battery or solenoid. Could also be a bad ground. Other possibilities but those would be my first suspects, don't forget the main cable at the starter itself.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152 |
The battery cables and connections are good at the battery and the solenoid. Hopefully I will have time dig deeper after work.
I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,482 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,482 Likes: 5 |
Check where the wires enter the headlight bucket. 
'04' Black America
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152 |
Well I feel silly now! Get home and start tracing wires from the ignition and battery. Can't find anything that looks sketchy. Check the battery with the volt meter and it's 12.3. Check the cable to the starter, it looks good. Decide that I will use a trick that I used on my 64 Ford, I jump across the solenoid with a screwdriver. Nothing. Take the cable off the solenoid and touch it straight to the battery, nothing. Check the battery again and it's 12.3 volts. I'm beginning to think I have a starter problem but I thought I would do one last thing to rule out the battery, I jumped it. Started right up!! Did I mention it had 12.3 volts the whole time! Apparently it had the volts but not the amps. I don't know how old the battery is but it's at least 4 years old. That's how long I have had the bike. I guess it's time for a new one.
I have been working on cars and motorcycles for over 30 years and this a new one on me!
I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Voltage doesn't always tell you much with no load on the battery.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
You really need a hydrometer to test the electrolyte, a volt meter will not give a proper answer to how much sulfuric acid is in solution. Once the sulfur starts bonding to the lead inside the battery a meter will give misleading results just like you've experienced.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Similar problem with my (ten year old) battery I just replaced. My trickle charger kept telling me in was charged, but I'd just get the rapid clicking. New battery and BOOM the thing started right up, after almost a FULL YEAR of sitting. I've never had it start up that well even after just a winter's nap... Electricity is tough lol
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
12.3 volts with the battery at rest means it's dead.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
12.3 volts with the battery at rest means it's dead.
This right here! I had some "electrical issues" myself around a year ago and through a lot of research found that a good 12 volt battery should be at least 12.5 volts and more like 12.6-12.7 volts. Another common mistake is to check a battery without any load on it. I have seen some read 12.5 volts across the terminals and then drop down into the 11s just by turning the key over. You may also want to check out your regulator/rectifier and upgrade to a mosfet unit as well.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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Re: Electrical Problem
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
12.3 volts with the battery at rest means it's dead.
 mine had 12.4,it was nine years old.
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