Testing electronics

[Guest]

Do I need to have the engine installed to test the electric system? I'm rewiring and want to be sure everything is working and routed before I replace the engine.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Outside of checking battery voltage and whether or not your lights, signals, and horn work, I'm not sure what you hope to check. As far as I know, no part of the charging system can be checked unless the bike is running. You could ohm check the stator but I think most believe that's not a useful test anyway. Of course I've been wrong before and I'm sure I'll be wrong again.

[VABushPig]

I'm just looking to test lights, signal's, and horn, baby steps.

[LAB3]

I'm just looking to test lights, signal's, and horn, baby steps.

Don't see why not, hook up a battery, jump box etc and give it a try. Can't think of a way you'll harm anything.

[Uncamitzi]

Engine doesn't really draw anything from the electrical system when it's not running. coil load, but I think that's static while engine is not running?

[fbody_mike]

Just be very careful of disconnected wires shorting to ground. Like the starter wire, etc. If spark plug wires are just hanging they may arc when you switch the ignition off.