Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech TA wont start

Hi all.

Started my TA this morning but noticed headlamp going out when I put side-stand down to close garage door...blown bulb [thinks I], drove approx two miles then stopped at a garage, and when I came back out bike wont start.

Roadside assistance got the bike home, and have been advised that it is probably the starter solenoid, as rear light, horn and indicators all still work.

Anyone any similar experience?

Thanks

Check your battery connections... that's pretty common problem.

There were a few threads on the old forums about problems with the kickstand kill switch. Our bikes have a switch that will cut the motor and ignition if the kickstand is down and the bike is in any gear besides neutral (all other electrics work fine). There have been a few cases of this switch killing the engine because it shorted out (usually because it's really dirty).

And, not to drive you crazy, but some have also reported a build up of corrosion and fuzz on the back side of the fuse box.........

How old is the battery? You may need a new one. I had to replace my battery after about 3 1/2 years.

Thanks for the replies.

Solenoid under the tank is main suspect though, as bike starts and runs no problem when arc is formed between connections on starter solenoid, headlight still wont come on though.

Make sure the starter relay under the tank is plugged in good and the contacts are clean. If this connector is loose or corroded, it can kill both the headlight and the starter. The relay itself is probably OK, as it would either kill the headlight only when you push the start button and not pull in the solenoid or just not do anything and leave the headlight on.

Have replaced the starter relay under the tank but now fuse for headlight keeps blowing

Have that sinking feeling that this is the start of a litany of electrical problems

Any tips would be much appreciated guys. Mechanic says he has checked all obvious sources of short and cant find what might be causing fuse to blow.

Anyone any similar probs?

Hooly, one time I had the high beam go out on my bike and I had to change the bulb. Somehow I crossed the wires in the headlight and it caused my headlight fuse to blow. You might double check the headlight wires. What year is your bike?

Located the problem PES. There was a damaged lead in under the tank.

She's May 2004. Any ideas where I might get a workshop manual? I've tried Haynes in the UK but they haven't published yet.

The only one I've seen is the factory manual from Triumph. Glad your bike is taken care of.