Electrical Problem

[estagor]

I'm riding a 1983 GS750ED which I picked up two weeks ago and was out for a ride.
While sitting at a light the bike dies no power nothing dead as a door nail. I popped it open thinking fuses etc....everything was fine but still no power. Well being 32 degrees celsius what a great 4 km walk home with my bike.... Anyway I have cleaned the battery leads changed the ends on both as they were not the best shape and the battery is running at 12.5 volts.

I have removed all the fuses cleaned the box and cleaned the fuses.

I have the repair book on the bike and the diagram.

So checking the voltage on the red wire to the fuse box - good
Ignition off I get the following readings
Top of fuse box
Head - No reading
Signal - No Reading
Ignition - No reading
Main - Good both sides
Power Source - Good both sides

With the ignition ON same readings on fuses

The other larger red wire to the starter relay has good readings 12.5 volts on the connection but the black coming out nothing. the b/y and g/y to a white connector has nothing with the ignition off or on.

Now does this mean that the starter relay is toast or do I need to go further. I have read using the search feature that the ignition could be the problem should I be up in that area to verify...things

I bought the bike thinking it was good but the salvage place couldn't run faster from me when I called.... crooks....love to post there name but this is not the place....

Any advice would help, I had a 1981 GS750ES that died a month ago cam chain broke in many pieces and toasted the engine..parts are available

anyway any help would be great!!

[estagor]

Opps just a little note no power to lights, signal, ignition or to console...totally gone

[Clone]

Check the wiring to the bottom of the ingnition switch and the kill switch wires. Also check the big flat plug behind the headlight under the guages.

[rustybronco]

I'm riding a 1983 GS750ED
I have the repair book on the bike and the diagram.

So checking the voltage on the red wire to the fuse box - good
Ignition off I get the following readings
Top of fuse box
Head - No reading
Signal - No Reading
Ignition - No reading

With the ignition ON same readings on fuses

Head - No reading
Signal - No Reading
Ignition - No reading

Opps just a little note no power to lights, signal, ignition or to console...totally gone

you would be correct...

you have the wiring diagram, do you have a volt meter?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

You are going to have to systematically go through your entire wiring harness, checking and cleaning every electrical connection and ground. Take off the tank and the seat to expose all of your wring harness. Check for melted or brittle insulation due to heat caused by resistance-increasing corrosion. Look for worn insulation that may have been caused by wires rubbing against something during vibration. Look for wires going over or through areas with sharp edges that may have been partially cut and therefore grounded.

You might have a bad ignition switch. Test it with your multimeter. Start with a fully charged, known good battery and go through the Stator Papers. I wish you luck.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[estagor]

Thanks for the suggestions, yes I have a voltage meter and have the tank off everything seems to be wrapped up nicely in the main cable so i will start with the console. I'm having trouble getting it off because the faring has the front signal lights in the shell and the book is not very clear on the removal but it will happen.... The kill switch just cuts the engine no the main light correct? Nevertheless I will clean and WD things and get back for an update. This site helped alot getting my 81 up and running so I look forward to the help on my 83

Thanks again

The battery it came with is good but I'm using my new gel battery which is solid...

[rustybronco]

The kill switch just cuts the engine no the main light correct?

It cuts off the ignition, correct.

I only have a 82 gs750ed wiring diagram to work from so this may not be correct, but it should be close enough.

the current path...
Battery to> main fuse to> red wire from the other side of main fuse to> ignition switch to>orange wire out of ign switch to> top three fuses(which have no voltage )

time to break out the voltmeter...

[estagor]

Ok I have the faring off and it looks like the previous owner was doing some wiring on the front signal lights I will verify with my wiring diagram to make sure it is not screwy. I checked the ignition switch and kill switch wiring..no cracks cleaned connections and will start to work my way down. Rusty my 83 diagrams is consistent with your diagram. So I have power from the main but it is not get up to the ignition switch I will check the wiring down to fuse box in the morning...calling it a night. I just find it strange that all power is gone lights etc...anyway life is full of challenges and the reward is riding my GS .!!!!

I will give an update tomorrow...

[rustybronco]

Rusty my 83 diagrams is consistent with your diagram. So I have power from the main but it is not get up to the ignition switch

You do have power on both sides of that main fuse don't you?

[estagor]

Yup, I have power on both sides of the Main and the Power Source Fuses. I was checking the ignition button last night and will look at the ignition key etc... and work my way down.

[estagor]

I have success I have power to the bike. The plastic connection to the ignition switch was dirty and burnt. I used the one off my 1981 and I have power. I'm checking the line to make sure there are no breaks cracks in the cable. The voltage from the fuse to ignition is the same so no lose between the two. The bike turns over but will not start, I'm sure the plugs are fouled so I will change them after "the honey do list" I will let you guys know what happens... Thanks again this is the truly amazing site!!!

[estagor]

Just an update to this thread the bike is running well I have to do some work on the carbs but I can deal with the funny idle. Out of the electrical problem I have the left signal light no flashing but I'm sure it is a easy fix. Thanks again to all that replied.