powers up, then dies! My bike, not me

[BadBrad]

Looking to the pound for some electrical guidance. Here are the symptoms: 2005 Pitbull, fairly new battery (4 months) always on a tender when not under my ass, has been riding great up to this morning, turn the key on, dummy lights come on, hit run button, red light comes on EHC, hit start button and after a "click" that sounds like it may be coming from the coil, all power shuts off including the red light on EHC. Sometimes, it will re-power (dummy lights back on) by itself, sometimes it will re-power when I push the run button and sometimes I have to turn the key off, wait a sec, then back on to re-power, but only to get a "click" when I push the start button. My battery cables have been checked, are clean and tight. Again, all power shuts off after hitting the start button including headlights/taillights, dummy lights and EHC light. When I feel around for the click, it seems to be coming from the coil, but not positive. Could just be somewhere close. Alright pound, you haven't failed me yet. Matter of fact, I just got rid of that "spit"/cough that I had from the first day I got it after reading all the threads on carb jets. Used the "how to" to remove the carb and re-jet the carb. Finally, no more spit/cough, but now NO MORE NOTHING! Help!

 

[BadBrad]

After another check, I believe the click that I hear is more like the starter, not the coil. Still, all power is a loss after pushing the start button as if I turned the key off. The first time I push the start button after turning the key on, the click is "strong", but if I let the power try to restore without using the key (either a couple of seconds wait or by pushing the run or start button) then the click is very "light". Still waiting for the pound. Not sure here.

 

[BadBrad]

One more note! Didn't think much about it before, but lately, my key has been covered in what appears to be black grease when I pull it out. I thought that maybe the shop had sprayed some wd-40 or something in it last time it was in for repair, but I never had a problem with the key being hard to extract, so I really doubt that anything had been sprayed in the key hole. Could this all be connected to the starter switch in any way? Just more shit to ponder on while sipping your suds reading the forum.

 

[stlmikie]

I think the starter is the issue. Just read another thread with identical issues and the starter pooped. You may be able to have that one rebuilt if that is the issue.

 

[lee]

try these tests

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/11356-how-check-your-starter-solenoid.html

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks guys. I love those "how to's" on this site. I'll give it a try when I get home today. I sure hope that's it. I get the EHC chills every time something electronic fails.

 

[BadBrad]

I did drive in the rain on Sunday morning, then took a ride later that eveing with no problems. I copied the line above from another thread because my rubber button on my speedo to reset milage came off and I got a little moisture in the speedo. slight condensation on the inside face. Could this be a culprit? I read another thread about the tach board getting wet and causing wierd electrical issues.

 

[BadBrad]

Update: Before retiring last night, I went out to see if there was anything else I could add that may help you guys help me. When I turned the key on this time, nothing!!! No lights (dummy, headlights or taillights) and no power to the run/start switches. It's like a slow death. I keep thinking the key switch or ignition module but don't have enough experience to make the call. If I have power when I get home, I'll try the above test on the starter but with no power to the bike, I would have to think my problem lies somewhere else.

 

[BadBrad]

Looks like I'm going to fill the whole first page with just my replies to myself. One last thing to mention here....for now. When the bike got wet from rain on Sunday and I would press my signal for a left hand turn, the tach would flash off and on (very bright) in sequence with the turn flasher. Once the signal quit, the tach would resume to normal again. I'm reading as many threads as I can to try and figure this out. Right now, the closest issues I've read that are similar to mine point to the key switch or the tach board. C'mon dogs, I'm needing some help here. Just someone to hand me beer while I keep reading threads would be a good start.

 

[lee]

first thing I would do is make sure the bettery is good - just because its fairly new doesn't mean a lot. I would also take a closer look at that key switch - your key shouldn't be covered in shit when you take it out - take it off and clean it all up and check the connections. I wouldn't of thought the speedo issues would cause all this but could be wrong. When I get caught in the rain my neutral and oil pressure lights stay on all the time and last time, after I turned the bike off the tach lights were dancing all over the place - the bike wasn't even running! Everything else was fine though.

 

[BadBrad]

Lee,
That's why you are a senior member! You smart SOB! UPDATE: The battery showed 12 volts but when I checked the voltage while pressing the start button, it dropped to 4 volts. Attn: Drag Specialties Batteries sucks!!!!!!!!!!! I put my wife's battery in and BAM! IT started right up. Woohoo!!!!!!!! Back on the road again, Can't wait to get on the road again. All those symptoms just because of a faulty battery. Take note dogs, I may be the last one to figure this out, but a faulty battery can give all kinds of mixed eletrical messages. Damn! Grinning here!!!! If England wasn't so far across the pond I'd come buy you a beer. Thanks all!

 

[lee]

sweet - I do take paypal!!

 

[Can-Dog1]

sweet - I do take paypal!!

:roll::roll::roll::roll::roll::roll::roll:

Good one Lee.

 

[BadBrad]

PayPal? What's that? Just kidding. You're a funny guy. Thanks again for your help. The dog is running great again!

 

[DemonK9]

Same shit

My bike starts and then shuts off after about 30 seconds, and then fkn honks at me. I found that my starter wire was broken off and then the rubber protection on the starter is all cracked and fucked up so heat shrunk that shit bike starts again now! and then shuts off" honk" tired of messing with it!

 

[Raywood]

Both of you need to put a voltage meter on the battery and verify you have 12.8 volts. Then do it while hitting the start button and see what it drops to.

 

[Five Five]

Brad....glad to hear your up and running...