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Will Not Start

21K views 224 replies 34 participants last post by  TravelinLite 
#1 ·
Will not fire at all. It's like the kill switch is on. When I push the starter button the headlights dim and nothing turns over. I had just pulled in from a 200 mile ride back from the weekend. I pulled into the driveway and shut the bike down using the sidestand. I got off the bike and asked the wife to turn the key off and she did. I went about unloading the trailer and unhooking it and just as I was ready to pull the bike in it started pouring rain. I jumped on bike when it started raining and put up the side stand and put the bike in neutral and hit the starter. Nothing except headlights dimming. I hooked charger to battery later after blowing all nooks and crannies out with compressed air and tried starting with the charger hooked up and still nothing. Any ideas where to look now. I am going down now to check the sidestand switch again and maybe clutch switch if I can figure out how. I haven't tried pushing it to start it as if I get down the hill near my house I'll not be able to push it back up if it doesn't start. Bike is 2002 GL1800. No mods that I know of except I put a plug in the left from pocket for my GPS and it has trailer wiring. I did notice a 30 amp fuse wired to the battery terminals and wires going up under the seat but I haven't checked to see where those wires are going yet.
 
#27 ·
Yes, for measuring voltage. Now we need to figure out why your "A" relay is not energizing. You are going to have to verify the energizing voltage coming to the "A" relay. It comes from the starter button switch when pushed and is on the yellow/red wire seen coming to the relay below:



If it is there, then you will have to verify the ground that comes to the relay on the green/red wire. It is only there when you turn on the key and in neutral. You will have to ohm it out to ground or the neg side of the battery. Don't push the starter button while ohming it out or you will blow the fuse in the meter.
 
#30 ·
Oh, man, looks like that will require removal of the left saddle bag to get to the relays. How daunting a task is that? Do you think the test of the battery by the Walmart auto tech was sufficient. It did test at 12.85 volts and 415 CCA so I am guessing it is good. I got nothing when I put it back on and it was at 12.85 volts. Checking it just now it has 11 volts after testing the relays a few times. Thats having the key on approximately 5 minutes tonight and lights on during that time.
 
#33 ·
12.85V is enough to at least energize the "A" relay. Put your battery charger on it and pull fuse #9. That will help the battery stay up longer. The CCA from the Walmart test looks way too high. There are bolts at the top and bottom that hold the saddlebag on. If you can verify that voltage coming from the starter button, the saddlebag may not have to come off. The yellow/red wire is in the red connector in the picture.
 
#34 ·
I am assuming this picture. The wires are taped up pretty good but I think I can remove the battery and get to them. I'll get to it. I had charged the battery last night before taking it in for test today.

 
#35 ·
There are two yellow/red wires there, one going into the red connector and one into the white connector. Would it be the one into the red connector?

 
#38 ·
Ok, I am getting 12 volts to the yellow/red wire at the connector. Now check the ground correct?
 
#40 ·
Yes, and I am assuming that is the other wire in the same plug? If that is the case there is continuity there when ohmed.
 
#42 ·
The battery wasn't connected I just put the red lead to the red/green wire and to black lead to the negative cable and pegged the multimeter.
 
#44 ·
I am only guessing but this may mean I need to head towards the starter to trouble shoot now...ouch.
 
#46 ·
Will not fire at all. It's like the kill switch is on. When I push the starter button the headlights dim and nothing turns over.yet.

Looks like you got plenty of good help here but I'm just curious about your comment on the lights dimming. Under normal conditions, the lights should not dim, they should go completely out when the starter is depressed. It's a small point but if they are in fact dimming, the conclusion could be totally different.
 
#47 ·
I don't have a repair manual and the bike owners manual doesn't number the fuses, where do I count from? I found 9 by trial and error...
 

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#49 ·
Can I strike that post, my old eyes aren't what they once were, I just looked closer to the fuse bank and found the numbers. Duh.
 
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