G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » XBoard » Archive through December 02, 2010 » Electrical gremlins have invaded!!!or « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 04:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

so today being one of the last few semi warm days we are going to have I'm guessing. i thought it'd be a great day to go spend riding......

the motorcycle gods had other plans....

i rode to the gas station (about 2 miles) and noticed my brights light was on on my dash the entire way, even though i had the brights off. At the gas station i looked at my lights and neither of them were on....: ( so i headed home to fix this.

for a while my battery terminal connection has been bad (i just needed to tighten it) so i decided i should do that. I took off my seat and noticed there was a little corrosion on the terminal so i went to undo the bolts and clean them. the left hand side would not unscrew, so i got a box wrench and went at it......long story short the bolt broke off in the terminal....

so i taped it out and got that all situated....

the bike started and runs fine yet the brights indicator still says my brights are on....but i still don't have either headlight working...

when i hit the kill switch after the bike has been running my headlights both come on, but are very very dim...

i have no idea what the deal is other than guessing some bad connection someplace...

anybody have any ideas? i really want to ride tomarrow!!! : (
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 04:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

not sure how "or" got in my title?....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ourdee
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 04:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You didn't wash your hands after working on the bike, and have now cross contaminated the computer.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Andymnelson
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 05:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I agree, have you recently handled another computer that had a virus?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 07:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

.......nope......if my bike had a problem with being dirty, it would never run!......its prety dirty at the moment...

any other ideas?...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Greg_e
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2010 - 09:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bad relay?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Obiewan
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm with Greg-e on this one, check the left side relay.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

alright thanks guys, how do i check it?....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gunut75
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 01:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Swap it with the other one.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 02:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)





are these the two i need to switch?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150089569306753&ref=mf

this video basically shows what my problem is (its linked to my FB page, idk how to embed videos...) I didnt say it in the video, but when the lights are on before i start the bike, they are pretty dim, and not up to par...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150089554956753

then there is this one.....idk what the deal is here, but it made me laugh and go WTH?....

(Message edited by iman501 on October 31, 2010)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Greg_e
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 03:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What you pictured are wires, not relays. Not sure where the relay box is n your bike, on the R models it is left of the gauges in a small black plastic box.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Greg_e
Posted on Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 03:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Also assuming it is an 03 R like listed in your profile, then the low beam should be on any time the ECM has power, they run off the same supply wires, only the highbeam runs through the relay. There are a few places where that yellow wire attaches to other wires, there might be a problem at one of the joints.

I would suggest getting the service manual out and tracing the wires back, also check the ground point for the lights and for the chassis to chassis connection between the front mounting frame and the main frame.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iamarchangel
Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 10:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

R?

My guess/experience.

Headlight wire subassembly: four wire connector (4 in, 3 out): black wire on main side is corroded inside the connector: works when wiggled.

Fix: cut back a bit more than an inch: make a jumper over the connector.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 09:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

yea sorry it is an 03 9R guys, i'll ave to check out some of your seggestions when i find time this week! i'll let you guys know what i figure out later!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2010 - 05:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Check the ground wire connections directly behind the headlights on the steering neck. They tend to break over time and won't show their problem until you start to take out the grounding screw.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2010 - 09:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

well etennuly....your suggestion sounded the easiest, so natrually i tried it first...

no luck though it was pretty clean and very solid : ( thanks for the idea though!

I was going to try to swap my Race ECM out with my stock one to see if it was a brainbox problem at all, but i cant get the race ECM detatched for the life of me!...is there some sort of trick to it besides the tabs on the side?...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 09:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Iamarchangel, i think that you may be onto something! i was looking at the part you mentioned, and the wires are total crap on it! theres part where the copper in the wire is actually showing, and i cant even get the connector apart (my guess is to much corrosion)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Littlebuggles
Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Iman, PM sent.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

got it all sorted out guys! thanks for your input!!

and iamarchangel, you where correct with your theory, i never did get the connector to pull apart but i just ended up cutting the wires, then splicing them dirrectly together, all is good now. lights work as they should along with everything else!

thanks again you all rock!!!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Greg_e
Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hmmm.... Maybe I better think differently about the way I am going to connect my new lights, maybe I need to go back to that 4 pin connector and do everything back there.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Andymnelson
Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 11:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Glad you got it sorted. Sorry I wasn't any real help : p
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iamarchangel
Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 06:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You're very welcome. Glad to help.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2010 - 11:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

andy i appreciate the advice none the less!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gringo
Posted on Monday, November 29, 2010 - 03:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Get them working yet?
this sounds like a very typical grounding problem. you live in a place with lots of corrosion, even in the air the salt attacks your metal parts. there are lots of ground wires all over the bike each is important. between the headlights and frame the ground is commonly broken, but in linkin land the corrosion between a steel screw and aluminium frame will make contact weak. go to home depot and get a special grease made for this, remove the screws for ground to frame and grease them up after cleaning off the gook. most electrical connectors will benefit from this grease by the way, but dont go overboard with it.
also you can just connect a longish wire direct to battery ground and use it to diagnose each ground point to find if it helps problem.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Iman501
Posted on Monday, November 29, 2010 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

gringo, i did figure it out, there were some wires that had melted or something and were touching, causing stuff to short out and all, so i just cut them off and spliced in new wire, works perfect now!

(but i have the bike put up for the winter now)
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration