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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Troubleshooting (Poor Starting/Running/Handling/Ride Issues) » Archive through April 15, 2009 » Electric Gremlins « Previous Next »

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Edgydrifter
Posted on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So the Uly left me stranded at work last night, which was a real bummer.

Symptoms:

1) Turning key to "on" position, gauges sweep, ck-engine lamp cycles normally, hi-beam indicator also lights up, though headlights do not come on and headlight switch is in "low" position.
2) On first try, starter button triggers solenoid, motor does not turn over.
3) On subsequent tries, starter button does nothing.
4) Turning key back to "off" or "lock" position and removing it, idiot lamps on dash stay lit for several minutes.
5) Reinserting key and turning it to "on" position, idiot lights go out, gauges sweep but ck-engine lamp does not cycle. Starter button does nothing.

I'm guessing a bad ground connection or a short somewhere in the harness. Thoughts, anyone?
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Sparky
Posted on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 02:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One thing to check is the group of relays in the Relay Center. If the Uly is similar to an XB9R, there are 3 relays for key switch, starter and ignition.

I'd start by removing each and reinserting them in their original positions. Then try to start the bike.

If that doesn't change anything, remove each relay and put in a different place. The relays are all the same type so it won't fry anything by doing this. Chances are the symptoms may change by swapping them around. If so, then it's a matter of elimination to find the defective relay.
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Edgydrifter
Posted on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 04:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the suggestion, Sparky. I just popped out the battery and it shows 12.2 volts on my multimeter, so it's obviously low on juice. I'll try the relay switcheroo if I'm still seeing the same symptoms after the battery is charged up.
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Edgydrifter
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Battery charged up, but still no go. The idiot lamps go out when I remove the "start" relay, so I swapped that one with the "aux" relay, but it made no difference. I'm towing it to the dealership today.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Did you load test the battery? Most auto parts stores can probably do it for you if you bring it to them out of the bike and topped off.
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Edgydrifter
Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 07:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes, the battery tests good--not perfect, but still serviceable. The problem turned out to be two ground wires that had rattled loose. Cleaned them and added star washers, and now everything works beautifully. That will be the first thing I check in the future!
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