No Electricity!

[IsaacB]

I have a 1982 GS650L.
Problem: put key into the ignition and turn it but nothing lights up! no signals, head lights, wont start, nothing. Worked fine last weekend.

Bikes been working fine since I got it near the end of last summer. Two weekends ago I had to re-wire the brake light because some of the wires had corroded and no longer made contact with other wires.

I want to ride please help!!

edit: I used jumper cables on the battery and confirmed that there was a spark indicating there is a charge in the battery.

[Steve]

You have a voltmeter or at least a test light?

Check your fuses first, especially the MAIN fuse, which is the fourth fuse from the top.

Don't just LOOK at them, actually check them with a light or a meter. They have been known to fail behind the cap, where you can't see it.

.

[bonanzadave]

I had to re-wire the brake light because some of the wires had corroded and no longer made contact with other wires.

If you handled that ya gotta be able to operate a battery charger. Check the water level before you charge it.

Edit: Never mind. I see your edit. Follow Steves advice. Id actually spend a couple bucks and change all the fuses.

[IsaacB]

I wont be able to get a meter till the morning. I have looked at the fuses as you suggested and they all seem in decent shape from what I can tell. Both ends of one of the fuses however is loose and I can spin them around with my fingers although the wire does not seem to be broken (I was checking earlier and I believe this was the bottom fuse, the one under MAIN).

[Steve]

If it's loose, it can easily be corroded.

If it's corroded, it's dirty, and electricity can't get through.

A test light will be your quickest way to check, I just can't imagine a tool box without one. Just clip it to the negative side of the battery (or any good chassis ground), touch the positive side of the battery. This will do two things: 1. it shows you that the light is working (I have an old light, the contacts on the light get dirty, too ) 2. you have enough juice in the battery to make the light burn brightly. Now move the test light to the MAIN fuse, check both sides. The AUX fuse can also be checked, but it won't affect whether the bike works or not. Turn the key ON, check both sides of each of the other three fuses. Report back with your findings.

.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I know it sounds tedious, but it's always a good idea to check and clean every electrical connection and ground on the entire wiring harness. Corrosion is electricity's enemy. And just because you can't see rust doesn't mean it's not corroded. After you've cleaned your fusebox and replaced all the fuses, get yourself a volt/ohm meter (or digital multimeter) and go through the troubleshooting procedures in The Stator Papers to test your charging system. These bikes love good, clean electricity. You get better spark and fewer charging problems. There are a few articles with pictures on my website about cleaning/repairing your wiring harness, cleaning the fusebox, testing the stator, etc. Please help yourself.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[IsaacB]

Fixed. Got new fuses for all the slots and it works now. Thanks for all the help! the fuse that was bad was the "main power," kinda obvious huh?

Thanks!

[Sam Dorn]

Do you have a generator? I started thinking about purchasing one after the latest fire disaster, it was really tough to live 4 days and 4 night without electricity (and heating, and hot water). I looked through some cummins onan reviews and seems like they have good deals now.

[cowboyup3371]

Do you have a generator?

Just so you know to not expect an answer, this is a 12-year old post from a guy who is long gone.

[Grimly]

Do you have a generator?

He found the fault - in 2010.