1981 GS850 no start, ignition, battery??

[Polishpower77]

Hi looking for some help, assistance, ideas as to what my issue is with my GS. So it was running fine a few weeks ago. I let it sit 2 days, went to start it and nothing. When I turn the ignition to actual on position I get faint lights (headlight, tailights)...charged the battery to a reading of 13.50 something off the bike. So I placed the battery back in the bike, fully charged and tried ignition, still nothing. I checked voltage to battery and it sits around 13.00V in ignition ON position, however when I put the ignition in the auxilary position and measure the voltage it's at 3.00 something....strange?? Any help is appreciated, not sure where to start. Is it just the battery or do I have bigger problems? The battery is 1 year old. Thanks all!

[terrylee]

might try taking the ignition switch off and cleaning it. The bottom comes apart so you can clean all the contacts inside. Really is a good idea to take all the wiring apart and clean it. At least clean the the inside of ign. and wires from there and where they plug into the wiring harness. Also check all your ground wires and make sure they are clean and making good contact. terrylee

[Polishpower77]

Thanks TerryLee I'll try that. I appreciate the response. I'll report back after doing so.

[spyug]

This is very common and I've just gone through it myself. As TLee says you need to clean everything up in the way of contacts. Definitely the ignition switch but also in the area of the kill switch and start button since they are all part of this circuit.

You should really also check contacts at the fuse block and the connectors in the harness at the headlight as the ignition circuit runs from the fuse block to the ignition and kill switches back down to the fuse block with a branch to the coils on the way. Dirty contacts and connectors will cause voltage drops that can make starting and running difficult. Check the voltage at your coil contacts (orange/white wire) and don't be surprised if you note a voltage drop of 1 or even2+ volts. Low voltage at the coils, of course, translates to weaker spark, harder starting and less than optimal running.

If you find voltage drops to be an issue at the coils, first try cleaning all the contacts in the areas mentioned and if that doesn't resolve things you should consider doing the "coil relay mod" as outlined on Cliff's site.

good luck with it.
Spyug