 Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Quote:
How do I set up a multimeter to simple continuity? Where do I turn the dial?
set it to the lower left blue area and start with the lowest setting(resistance) like 200. If you have good continuity, itll read 0.0. The problem is you can still have good continuity even if only one strand of a wire is still connected. which obviously wont supply a good power path. something to consider when checking wires.
If your looking for voltage and find it with a meter, verify it with an inline bulb as others have suggested.
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
That multi-meter Erwin posted there can be bought at Harbor Freight for about $2 and it does the job, I had one to use where I didn't want to take any of my good stuff.
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
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It would be cool if someone knowledgeable like... oh I don't know, maybe Ken (DEcosse) took the rest of us all the way around the dial on that meter. I betcha there's a lot of folks here that could benefit from that.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Quote:
That multi-meter Erwin posted there can be bought at Harbor Freight for about $2 and it does the job, I had one to use where I didn't want to take any of my good stuff.
I have a pretty good Fluke I use. I just got that pic from the internet for a pictorial reference for John
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I wasn't knocking that meter, it works very well and can't beat the price.
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
My good one is an old Dayton.
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I've got a whole new set of questions but I've got somewhere to be. Stay tuned...  
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Okay, before when I said I pulled the headlight module and everything worked, it didn't stay working. The thing is dead again. I tested all the fuses (just with a test light, not a meter) and I found one 10A fuse that I replaced. Still nothing. No lights no horn no starter. With or without the dash wiring, with or without the rear harness plugged in.
I went through the rear harness and verified everything there, and recovered it with that plastic automotive style sheathing. Still hosed. The battery still checks out as full. None of the fuses are burnt. Saturday the first thing I'm going to do is actually crawl underneath and check the ground. Then I'm going to double check that none of the wires have pulled out of the back of the fuse block.
After that I've got no clue what to do.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
After that I've got no clue what to do.
Buy that R3 while your working out the bugs on the America. 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
As long as you make the payments while I'm spending my severance pay in July-August. 
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
Did you make sure the pos cable is tight and clean at the solenoid?
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I will but it seems to me that would only mess with the ability to start, not use the horn.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Member
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Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75 |
This should help identify where the issue is:
Set you multimeter to volts dc and clamp the black probe to the negative on the battery. Leave it here for all tests.
With the red probe test the positive of the battery (lead not terminal). You should have better than 12v.
Move to the fuse terminal. Check both sides of fuse 11 (brown cable). Should be +12v.
Check both sides of fuses 2,3, 4 and 5. Should have 12V both sides.
With the ignition off, you should have no voltage across fuses 7, 8 and 9. Turn the ignition on and test again. You should now have voltage across these fuses. If not, there is an issue with the ignition switch or the cabling between the fuse box and the switch.
Let me know how you go here, and I will think about the next series of tests.
Softens your hands while you do the dishes - You're soaking in it!!!!
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Buckers has nailed it. Two words ... Ignition switch. Failure of these is a known problem - see the thread here on the RAT forum. That would explain all your symptoms.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
This afternoon I prevailed upon my BFF who is an electrician as well as gearhead to take a look at the bike. He spent quite a while tracing out circuits, starting with the ignition switch, and narrowed it down to the turn signal relay. I'm hoping it's a common enough part (haven't checked the Tech Vault yet) that NAPA will have one tomorrow. I'll report back whether or not a new relay fixes it.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Bugger - wrong again. Do you get anything with the ignition switched to Auxiliary (Park)?
I can't see how your whole electrical system would fail because of a faulty turn signal relay. Maybe the faulty turn signal relay is just a result of the main problem.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
This afternoon while I was checking things out myself, testing fuses, checking grounds, checking for wires disconnected from the back of the fuseblock, etc. it still wasn't working. Then I started rearranging wiring to work better with Tom's battery bracket, unplugging, moving and replugging things. When my buddy showed up the other circuits were just working. Maybe I didn't have a connector together all the way. But the headlight, brake light and horn work and the starter turns over. As soon as we turned on the turn signals, the 10A fuse for that circuit would blow (sometimes we'd see a flash of turn signal light). This behavior was completely reproducible and as long as we didn't touch the turn signals everything else works. He tested for consistent ground and power throughout the system and it all seemed to check out fine.
So I'll get a relay and hopefully that will be the end of it. I'll probably try that headlight module out again in a week or two.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
How do I set up a multimeter to simple continuity? Where do I turn the dial? I hate these things and never use them.
I found some frayed wires (actually worn away insulation) in my rear harness. I've isolated them but I want to make sure they still go through before I rewrap them.
I'm sorry but I just gotta laugh at that one. I have been an electronics tech all of my life and in our trade we refer to "Idiot meters" and also "Idiots with meters". Both just as useless .....
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 507
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 507 |
FJ - Did you have to mess with the wiring on the rear turn signals when you installed the lay down plate? If you had to resplice anything make sure you didn't cross + and - anywhere.
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
No, I traced out the wires with the wiring diagram for the rear signals but the grounds are pretty consistently colored. And regardless, I still had the same problems with the rear harness completely unplugged.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Quote:
How do I set up a multimeter to simple continuity? Where do I turn the dial? I hate these things and never use them.
I found some frayed wires (actually worn away insulation) in my rear harness. I've isolated them but I want to make sure they still go through before I rewrap them.
I'm sorry but I just gotta laugh at that one. I have been an electronics tech all of my life and in our trade we refer to "Idiot meters" and also "Idiots with meters". Both just as useless .....
Hey Pat? 
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Just went through the same BS on my '06, faulty turn signal relay.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Bugger - wrong again. Do you get anything with the ignition switched to Auxiliary (Park)?
I can't see how your whole electrical system would fail because of a faulty turn signal relay. Maybe the faulty turn signal relay is just a result of the main problem.
Don't be so quick, you might be right after all. New relay didn't fix anything. But it probably didn't break anything either.
So I came home from my FLAPS with a new relay. First turned the key on: lights (sans turns), horn, starter okay. Turned it off, plugged in the new relay.
Nothing.
Nothing at all. And this time all the fuses are good.
Plugged the stock relay back in just to see if I could get that fuse to blow.
Still nothing.
Crap.
Maybe it is the ignition switch after all. My buddy tested all the wires but it could be a contact plate issue as was described in that TRat thread. Not sure how to diagnose that without tearing it apart or replacing it.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Wiggle wires around while testing. You may have a poor connection inside a connector. Ive seen this happen many times when wires are rerouted. The "new" bend in a wire will cause the connector to move in a different direction and lose contact.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I was just out there trying that. Nothing so far.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
It's just really weird that it worked and then 30 seconds later, after changing NOTHING but plugging in that relay, I have no power.
The only other "change" was turning the key.
Last edited by FriarJohn; 05/15/2011 2:44 PM.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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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 |
So when I put on my spotlights I used an after-market relay and I had to change the pins in the connector to make everything work properly. The relay pin out was different than the original connector and I used a jeweler's screwdriver to release and change the order of the contacts.
The new relay will have a schematic printed on the side, does it match the old relay?
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
That's the frustrating thing. NEITHER relay has a schematic.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Anybody know of a cheap bike for sale near me?
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
There should be numbers pressed into the plastic where the blades come out - vewy vewy small numbers hard up against the pins. But if not. pop the covers on both relays and have a look inside and compare.
Last edited by foglefar; 05/15/2011 6:48 PM.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
That's the frustrating thing. NEITHER relay has a schematic.
This is just about universal:
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
Anybody know of a cheap bike for sale near me?
this sounds just like what i went thought a few years back..
it was my 30amp fuse not making a good connection in the fuse box..
Ed 
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Anybody know of a cheap bike for sale near me?
No, but freedom might let you borrow his ignition switch. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Actually, he offered the whole bike for Arizona.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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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 |
John,
Place both relays side by each and compare the numbers from Bill's chart...that will tell you if it's the relay pin-out that's the culprit.
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: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Actually, he offered the whole bike for Arizona.
Good man that young at heart hippie is... But your ride is, well, yours! I know John lives a bit north from you, but borrowing his switch would instantly tell you if that is the culprit. And you could then order one (or have us scour the web for you) while you are in rally rolling mode so it is there upon your triumphant return home. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 853
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 853 |
You should be able to jumper cross the key switch. If you have power then it is the key switch.
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Re: Feeling pretty dumb right now (electrical)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
The ignition switch has been completely traced out for continuity across all operating conditions. It doesn't appear to be the issue. In fact, my friend used jumpers to bypass the switch completely. No joy.
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