XBR Electrical problem

[guest18]

Hello all,
Well I finally managed to get my XBR outfit into my (freezing!) garage and started to look at it this morning. When I last tried to fire it up the battery was a bit low so I attempted to jump it from my other bike and upon doing that all the electrics died on the XBR. No idiot lights, no horn, lights etc, nothing.

Now I've charged the battery and checked all the fuses under the cover by the igntion key and they all check out, I took out the 30a fuse under the left hand sidepanel and although it looked ok it didn't seem to have continuity so I replaced that, I still have no power 
Is there a main fuse hidden somewhere else?
Or where do I start searching now 

Normally I would of course start pulling multi plugs apart and doing general investigation but as everything is brittle with the cold (including my fingers!  ) it would be nice to focus the effort 

Ta muchly, Smudge

[guest18]

OK, been out again and this is the story so far....

The fresh fuse is ok (continuity checked)

With a voltmeter negative on the battery post and positive across both sides of the main 30a fuse, 12v both sides.
As above but positive on either of the two terminals closest to the fuse, 12v showing.
As above but positive on either of the two terminals furthest from the fuse 0v (but not unexpected with the plug seperated to get access to the terminals!)
Positive on the ignition switch multiplug (loom side) 12v showing, so we have power to the switch.

So I checked the switch for continuity and it appears ok (eg ignition switch off, no continuity, on, continuity over 2 out of 3 terminals, I expect the other one is for the parking light)

Still no electricals at all, not even a glimmer (checked lights, horn, starter etc)
Decided to check with a booster pack connected in case it was a knackered battery/low current issue, no change.

Checked parking light without and with booster pack connected. Nothing 


I think the electricery pixies are teasing me!!

[SteveC#222]

If you have power to the ignition switch it must be a fault on the return side? A couple of thoughts.

I had a similar complete loss of power last winter when I was about to come home from work. I found that if I wiggled the earth terminal on the battery with the ignition switched on the light would flicker.  Even though the earth lead felt fairly tight,an extra nip up with a spanner fixed the problem.

Will the bike start? You can start an XBR with a completely flat or disconnected battery. If it won't it may be a broken wire or multi connection on the earth side.

Don't you hate electrics!!

[CHRIS211083]

OK, i think i know what this could be. smudge i could come have a look some time next week if you like but i think you will find a bd connection on the ignition plug. you will find that one of the wires might have broken through corrosion. pull each wire at the connector block and one will pop out and be green? If not i can come as sort it out next week??? Chris.

[guest18]

Hmm, thanks lads, both possibles...

I'll re-check that I get voltage with earths taken from other parts of the bike. (I have a memory I already have but a re-check will do no harm and provide definite info  )
I am wondering about a component failure as the initial electrical collapse happened when I connected the jump leads, (no damage to the other bike). It wouldn't start hence the attempted jump, so I'm trying to get the electrickery sorted before going onto the (easier!) mechanical job of starting the blighter 

Chris, I might take you up on that sometime next week... will see how things go(!)

[CHRIS211083]

Just let me know when your in and ill pop round as im only working mornings this week. I honistly think its a broken connection through corrosion. Though ill need to look for sure!

[guest18]

Sorry for no phone call Chris, family festive duties and swmbo and myself both having stinking colds have slowed down work on the garage front!! 

Had another quick look this morning though, power def getting to the ignition switch multiplug, terminals look ok and the wires into both sides of the plug seem firm. Battery earth is good (tested by voltmeter on pos battery terminal and earth probe tried on various parts of bike, all showing 12v.

I wonder what the next component is "downstream" from the ignition...  Time for me to re-read the manual maybe 

[crackedhead]

Hi,

I have a spare wiring loom and fuse box for the XBR that you could borrow, if that would help diagnose the problem (I'm in Livingston). I'm not sure what model it is from though.

Good luck.

[guest18]

Thanks Tony, I'll keep it in mind 

Seems there are a growng band of TC'ers north of the border! 

[Steve Lake]

First thing I'd do is check EVERY earth point, TWICE, clean the contact area, put new crimps on the earth cables or clean them with emery if they don't look too bad, don't forget the battery negative earth point.

[guest18]

Re-checked the ignition switch multiplug continuity (strangely the electrickery diagrams show a multi-wire plug/switch but mine has only three  ).
It all checked out so I stuck it back together then decided to swing it over on the kicker a couple of times to circulate the oil. WHOO-HOO it has an ignition light, and main lights, and even an instrument light! 

Looks like the pixies have taken sympathy on me  booster pack is on charge and tomorrow I'll go and get a gallon of fresh fuel and maybe later this week I can get her to run again  (maybe not, but I'll try lol)