electrics cut out when ignition key turned?

[roddney62]

Hi folks, I hope someone can help me please? I went to start my 1987 k100 rs, and when I turned the key in the ignition everything cut out (clock went off and unable to start it no lights) so I put it on charge, came back turned key and got lights tried to start it and it died again, put it on charge a bit longer and it started (after wiggling the fuse box) any ideas what's happening please? Is it a lose wire or is it the battery? Help greatly appreciated! Rod

[johnny]

greetings roddney62...

welcome to motobrick.com...

this may become your #1 resource... click here...

just about everything can be found in the lieberry... click here...

in the event of electrical whackness the first thing i do is the backspin on the starter... click here...

it is important to have moto on center stand with side stand up and side stand switch verified as working or bypassed in neutral ignition key off kill switch in middle position... then its a process of elimination... clutch switch ignition switch kill switch fuse starter grounds battery connections...

now the battery... in your case it starts after being on the charger a long time...  how old is the battery... how long have you had the moto... what and when was the last work done on it... are all the hots and the grounds tight... we just needs more info...

k1100 fuse locations... dont think they are all 15 amp though...



j o

[mjydrafter]

Johnny has you pointed in the right direction.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the problem I will add:
If the battery is good (this is important!), then I would also check out the ignition (key) switch.  The grease that was put in at the factory is dried bugery smutz by now.  Also the contacts can get fubar'd/burned/carboned up.  That will go along well with checking the other safety switches.

Go through all the electrical connections and if you're anal (like the rest of us :hehehe) clean and protect all of them with De-oxit.  It seems like there are a lot of connections, but it's not bad and you may just find the problem accidentally poking around.  The connections "should" be self cleaning, if you undo and redo them.  So the De-oxit isn't necessarily needed, but I had it around anyway. :yes

[johnny]

not working the switches is what causes whack...

everyday i ride my moto i make sure i sit there and work each switch before i roll a foot...

ig all way left all way right 4 or 5 times...

kill all way left all way right 8 or 10 times...

flash to pass... high low high low 8 or 10 times...

left blinker right blinker cancel 4 or 5 times...

j o

[roddney62]

Thanks for the help guys, checked the battery it's reading 12.36 volts, it's raining at the mo so can't do much tonight (bikes under shelter but no room to work without me getting wet!)

[Zipster]

Hi chum, I had a similar problem recently - my bike stayed on a tender every night and was ridden regularly but one day wouldn't start / turn over. It read 12.5 volts across the terminals but on applying starting load at dropped to 4 volts. The battery was sulfated and beyond much redemption. £50 sorted me out with a new battery and I've had no problem since.

[roddney62]

Zipster, I remember having this problem before but can't remember how I solved it! Doh![emoji15] I've ordered a new battery in the hope it's the same problem! I'll also de oxit all connections visible and see if the combo works.

[subforry]

yes I agree, 12.36 resting voltage is a little low.  Connect you volt meter then add a load like trying to start the bike.  I expect the voltage will drop.

[roddney62]

Ok thanks folks, it was the battery I'd had the bike apart for a couple for weeks as I've just added some different mirrors, indicators and changed the fork oil. Went for a ride today man does it handle so much better!