Dead Starter?

[Cronos]

Hey now Tom, just cause you're around 99% accurate doesn't mean anything... Sorry I didn't respond to the fuses question, yes I checked them and replaced the main and ignition even though they looked fine. The wiring in the kill switch has me now questioning that because I have been using that as the main means of killing the engine and Im ashamed to admit it but the bike spent a few days exposed to the elements during what I've been told is the rainiest weeks they've seen here in San Diego in forever... Now I'll just have to get to my other friend's house so I can tinker with the bike now that it's been sitting nice and cozy in their garage. Will check the kill switch wiring and post on it asap

[Steve]

Do you have a test light or a voltmeter?

A light is quicker and easier for this, but pull your gas tank, locate the coil wires (the smaller input wires, not the spark plug wires). Put your test light probe in with the orange/white wire, turn on the ignition key, make sure the RUN switch is ON. If the test light does not come on, work your way through the system.

Current flow for the ignition system starts at the ignition fuse (the middle one), then goes up, through a couple of connectors, to the RUN/KILL switch, back through some more connectors to the coils and ignitor. With all those connectors, there is a good chance of a bad connection. Follow that orange/white wire, check each side of every connector, you might find where the light no longer lights.

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[argonsagas]

Let's look inside the possible fuse concern.

Open the fuse box and check the contacts. It is not uncommon for them to corrode to the point that little or no electricity moves past.

When I first got my GS1100 I found that the inner terminals had so much surface resistance that they overheated and melted part of the box.

It is worth a few moments to open the box and check, although it make take a few extra moments on your bike it the box must first be removed from the bike.

[tom203]

Do you have a test light or a voltmeter?

A light is quicker and easier for this, but pull your gas tank, locate the coil wires (the smaller input wires, not the spark plug wires). Put your test light probe in with the orange/white wire, turn on the ignition key, make sure the RUN switch is ON. If the test light does not come on, work your way through the system.

Current flow for the ignition system starts at the ignition fuse (the middle one), then goes up, through a couple of connectors, to the RUN/KILL switch, back through some more connectors to the coils and ignitor. With all those connectors, there is a good chance of a bad connection. Follow that orange/white wire, check each side of every connector, you might find where the light no longer lights.

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Cronos, do what Steve says! It only takes about ten minutes to remove gas tank which lets you get at those orange/white wires that power the ignition circuit ( once key and run switch are On). Even if it turns out to be at kill switch (likely), this is a good time to clean up connections to coils to ensure decent ignition.

[Cronos]

So I disassemble the kill switch and wiggled some of the wires around there and voilą it started right up, I'm wondering if there's a loose connection or if it's just the contacts. I'm going to just avoid using the kill switch for now until I can thoroughly go through it but how much of a pain in the ass do you think it'll be to run new wiring at least through there?

[cowboyup3371]

Why not fix it now while you are already in there and have it apart?

[tom203]

Why not fix it now while you are already in there and have it apart?

What a novel idea! Cronos, if you can't fix it now, at the very least join those two o/w wires together so the bike doesn't cut out next time you ride thru fog bank! You can get replacement switches easily. When you get bored, go thru the wiring on the ignition circuit.
After this long journey, how do your tires look? and how did bike do crossing Rockies?

[Cronos]

I'm going to twist them together as soon as I get it back to my main crash pad, it's been sitting out on some back street for the last couple days, I'd rather do it in the familiar comfort of my friend's garage. The bike held up just fine the whole way here but a rear tire change out is definitely due, almost smooth in the center after so many highway miles out here. Utah was amazing and I highly recommend 12 which leads through escalante, beyond gorgeous.

[tom203]

I'm going to twist them together as soon as I get it back to my main crash pad, it's been sitting out on some back street for the last couple days, I'd rather do it in the familiar comfort of my friend's garage. The bike held up just fine the whole way here but a rear tire change out is definitely due, almost smooth in the center after so many highway miles out here. Utah was amazing and I highly recommend 12 which leads through escalante, beyond gorgeous.

Sounds like a great adventure- stay safe!!