 '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
Hello guys, I have an 07' Speedmaster which just turned over 4000 miles. I was riding home about a week ago in the rain when the engine lost power & quit. I pressed the starter button & the starter engaged but the engine wouldn't fire. When I released the starter button, the starter remained engaged.  The starter button itself seemed ok as the headlight would turn off when pressed, but the starter wouldn't disengage. I flipped the kill switch on the handle bar and nothing happened - the engine was still turning over on its own and not firing. The only way to shut down the bike was to turn the key off. When I turned the key back on, the starter again started cranking. I hauled the bike home and after sitting in the garage for a day the starter button & kill switch would work properly but the bike still wouldn't fire. After sitting another 24 hours it fired up and runs like a champ. Obviously, I have a water/electrical issue. Anybody had this happen to them? Any recommendations where to start looking for the problem? Is the solution a healthy dose of dielectric grease? Thanks in advance for the help! David B Bloomsbury, NJ
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 Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Welcome David! Sure sounds like things are shorting out there in the right handlebar controls. This first thing to do is take the control housing apart and have a looky-see. While in there, clean every and all contacts and yes, hit them with dielectric grease. Also look for anything that might be amiss. Did you buy the bike used? Just asking 'cause you never know if a previous owner did something in there.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
Thanks for the help, Mountainman. That's the first place I was going to check but my gut is telling me that's not where the problem is as the starter button seemed to work ok. I say that because when pressed, the headlight would go out as it should have even though the starter wouldn't disengage. I have a feeling it's a relay somewhere downstream of the handlebar. Like I said, I'll start there though. Thanks again for the help.
David B
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Well that's true, the problem could be down the line. Maybe a sticky solenoid. There are many others here with much more experience than I, but relays and solenoids have been known to stick. The other day I helped a buddy with the horn on his bike which wouldn't shut off. Turned out to be a sticky relay. Replaced the relay and all is well. Do you have a Haynes or shop manual to help you along?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
Yep, I picked up the Haynes manual. Great book. I'll figure it out eventually.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Yep, I picked up the Haynes manual. Great book. I'll figure it out eventually.
When you do, post your findings. I could help someone else down the road!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246 |
You might need to tighten down the battery connections.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099 |
Quote:
You might need to tighten down the battery connections.
After you clean them.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
Well guys, I think I have it figured out. One of the relays on the right side beneath the tank came loose. The rubber mount which holds the relay and slips onto a tab on the frame had fallen apart and the relay was resting on top of the engine and very susceptable to rain. I applied dielectric grease to all relays (only 2 or 3 on the bike had any on them). After the relays were greased and back together I wrapped the joint with a strip of electrical tape as an additional measure of preventing moisture from getting in. All three rubber holders on the right side of the frame which secure the relays to the frame were falling apart so I also wrapped the rubber holders with electrical tape for support before putting them back on the tabs beneath the tank. I also secured the relays to the tabs with zip ties. Kinda a belt & suspenders approach, but it couldn't hurt. Sorry, I didn't think to take some pics to post.
My bike is an '07, those rubber holders are pretty crappy if they're falling apart already.
I checked everything I could think of. Knock on wood, hopefully everthing is relatively water tight now.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896
phoenix
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phoenix
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896 |
Quote:
Well guys, I think I have it figured out. One of the relays on the right side beneath the tank came loose. The rubber mount which holds the relay and slips onto a tab on the frame had fallen apart and the relay was resting on top of the engine and very susceptable to rain. I applied dielectric grease to all relays (only 2 or 3 on the bike had any on them). After the relays were greased and back together I wrapped the joint with a strip of electrical tape as an additional measure of preventing moisture from getting in. All three rubber holders on the right side of the frame which secure the relays to the frame were falling apart so I also wrapped the rubber holders with electrical tape for support before putting them back on the tabs beneath the tank. I also secured the relays to the tabs with zip ties. Kinda a belt & suspenders approach, but it couldn't hurt. Sorry, I didn't think to take some pics to post.
My bike is an '07, those rubber holders are pretty crappy if they're falling apart already.
I checked everything I could think of. Knock on wood, hopefully everthing is relatively water tight now.
After the accident i had to get a new tank.This being said..these little rubber relay,holders sure leave a lot to be desired for holding these important parts aaayyy mine were rotten, and the relays had laid on top of the engine for a time..And i have a 2004 
bob s
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
Gotta love those zip ties!
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Thanks for the info David, and glad you got it sorted out. Did you also grease the electrical connections as you put things back in place? If not, it's a good idea for repelling water from electrical contacts.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: '07 Speedmaster Electrical Problem
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6 |
I did. I applied dielectric grease to all the connections I came across as. I didn't do anything with the coil though. Probably a good idea to apply some there as well, correct?
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