Baffling Electrical Problem--need Advice

I’d be buying a ‘power probe’ first to start fault finding. That’s a tool that detects both poles at the same time and tells you what it is either green (negative) or red (positive). It also lets you power up components on a rocker switch. It’s one of those tools you’d never want to be without.
I’m guessing from the problem that it could be in the starter switch circuit meaning when the starter button is pressed it cuts out ‘non important’ circuits and it might be faulty therefore when the ignition it switched to on the starter might already be part way through it’s dismissing circuit.

 

Short in the harness ?
I found this in my harness on my 09 America

The brass crimp connector was wrapped in factory blue insulation tape , this was all that held the green wire that can be seen on right just above connection.
Symptoms were : ignition cutting out momentarily when handle bars move. There were two other multiple connectors , what the hook together unknown , but possibly sources of electrical problems ?
Check wiring , in my picture , the bare black wire , if in contact with the green , caused headlight to go out/off , but it would flash and only left indicator's would Work , no brake light or starting .

 

Sounds like you have a corroded block connector?

 

Only a guess without going thought the lot with a meter but by your description i would have gone strait for the ignition switch, but as you have replaced it i would say you need to fault find....but it sounds like a short to me.

 

Hello,
just another idea you say the battery is "good" have you tried another battery.

 

I would agree the battery needs load testing just to rule it out.

That said, it often helps to think of bike electrics as ‘ignition circuit’ + ‘starter circuit ‘ + ‘ancillaries ‘.

When you switch on the ignition circuit is energised, when you press the starter the starter circuit is briefly engaged. The ancillaries (including charging) meanwhile loiter in the background but mostly only come into play with a running engine.

So, if the lights flicker, your battery is either giving out or you have a basic connectivity issue in the feed to or from the (permanently energised) ignition circuit/switch and back to the battery via earth. By separating the circuits in your head you can stop chasing irrelevant issues like ignition coils which have no influence on the symptoms you describe. Your problem logically starts in the ignition circuit.

My working suspicion is a duff connection - have you plugged/unplugged and cleaned all the multiplugs from igniter to headlamp shell and under the tank in the harness plus any chafing/stretching round the headstock? You should also check the Earth strap for corrosion on the gearbox stud just forward of the swingarm.

 

I think we’ve lost the OP!!