Electrical Issue? Need advice please

[greggo2208]

I'm new to the GS resources, and new to the GS world period. I recently bought an 83 GS 750ES. Things were good until my ride to work this morning. Out of nowhere, my tach quit working, along with all my lights except the headlight. No turn indicators on instrument cluster, no gear indicator, no neutral indicator.. Nothing? Any one have any ideas where to start trying to track down the issue?

[darkwolf]

I would check the fuses first. Since so much has gone out right away, I would think that first.

After that, in order to explain the fuse blow, I would check the wiring harness under the gas tank, as I think....that's where everything hooks up to the indicators. At least, that's what my bike looks like underneath there.

[greggo2208]

Thanks for the tip... I'll check it out.. I had to replace the clutch cable last week and I probably pinched wires under the tank or something...Thanks again

[nabrams]

If it is the fuses blowing then something is causing them to blow to begin with.
It may be that your R/R is shot and is letting too much voltage through.
If your voltage at the battery is more that 15 volts with the bike at 5000 RPM then you know your R/R is toast. Ride the bike that way and you'll boil your battery dry. See other posts on this topic.

[kichigai]

I have a 83GS1100es with the exact same problem. I noticed on the freeway that at high RPMs like when I goose it, it ran funny. A short while later my all of my guage lights, tach, gear indicator turn signal went dead except the head light. Bummer!! Im with you my friend.

[Road_Clam]

A bad R/R is not going to be an immediate problem. A bad R/R will simply slowly drain the life of the battery, as now there is no charging. I am thinking you have a bad connection somewhere, possibly inside the headlight bucket, aka "the RATS NEST". Also clean all the frame grounds. Bad grounds are another common issue on a 25 year old bike.

[nabrams]

Road_Clam,

A bad R/R can let too little voltage through OR too much. If it's too much, then it may be such that it's not enough to blow the main ignition fuse but IS enough to blow others. I have seen this first-hand.
By the way, both scenarios (too much or too little voltage) will lead to a drained battery. The "too little" is obvious. The "too much" will eventually boil the battery dry, which will prevent it from taking a charge.
I've seen both of these.

[rustybronco]

And they can short to ground blowing the main fuse, I have seen it first hand on mine.