Electrical Issue Scenario... this ever happen to anyone?

So, I got my bike running a few months ago. It was running amazing. I started to warm it up one night and I went inside to get changed. I came outside and my bike was all warmed up but it was turned off (key still on). So I toggled the key a little, and the light came on again. I started it, it turned over once, and then the power was gone again.

I did this a few more times, and now no power will come on the bike. you think I need a new fuse box? My ignition had been acting up a little bit. You had to wait about 15 second between starts before anything would happen. Please help!!!

Anyone who has electrical experience near Lynchburg VA, I would greatly appreciate any help!!!

 

Check the fuses first, but it sounds like the ign switch needs a coat of looking at.
I'm sure there is someone nearer than me ;o)

 

If you ran inside to get changed ... and the Bike stalled with the Headlight remaining ON, ...

If you to longer than Clark Kent running into a Phone Booth and emerging as The Man Of Steel ... YOU ran the Battery down.

 

@Rick... thanks...

All the electric was off. No headlight... nothing.

@ Wizard

I checked the fuses.... none of them are burned out. you think that the Ignition switch could be shorting out the whole bike?

 

If you have an Original Fuse Box. Get rid of it.

Lube the Ign Switch.
Give it a shot of Brake Cleaner ... NOT Carb Cleaner.
Follow that Shot with a blast of good ole WD-40.

Once a month.

 

Two things: the headlight stays on after the bike stalls, if everything is working right.

The ignition SWITCH itself is separate from the lock; it is located below it in the assembly. You may need to remove your ignition switch "module" separate the lock from the switch and flush the switch.

 

There is no electricity getting anywhere in the whole bike... you think that this could be a problem with the Ignition switch?

@ Rick
Do you reccommend any Fusebox for a 1980 xj 650?

 

This sounds like a ignition switch malfunction..i had bad ig.switch on my Maxim X n one day i was riding and the bike died with no head light..turned the key off/on started working..bought a used ign.switch frm ebay..it worked fine afterwards...try taking the ign.switch apart n cleaning..with electric contact cleaner. good luck

 

my problem turned out to be burnt fuse. one of the fuses is the main power. to the whole bike.

one is for main
one is for headlights
one is for signals
one is for ignition

on the one i had, anyways. yours might be different.

 

Ok, I pulled off the switch, I made a connection with a piece of metal to see if the switch was bad... any Ideas?

 

None of my fuses lok burnt.... I cannot figure it out!!! It ran fine, then the power was all gone!!

 

Original fuse box with the glass fuses?

Yes, then probably a loose or corroded (sp?) clip. Replace fuse box. You can get these at an auto parts store. You just need a 4 slot box. I did a 6 slot on mine in case I later want to add a circuit. Instructions are on here somewhere. Super easy to do.

I'm close but not close enough to help, 225 miles one way.

 

Well the original fuse box should always replaced no matter what. As a regular commenter once said "That box was crap when it was brand new"

Now the ignition switch...
The connections inside the headlight compartment should be checked, cleaned, and dielectric grease applied. One step further is to open the switch up from the bottom and remove the assembly. there are two plates with contact points to check and clean. Also check to see if the soldered connections are still viable.


IMO replacing the fuse box might solve everything and is available through our site from Len(Chacal)

PS I am no expert, but I have completed this task before and it was quite straightforward. Just make sure to do this while on a surface where no parts will be misplaced. Also the parts will only go in one way so dont force the plates.

 

Awesome guys, I ordered a new box... I will let you know whats up!

 

Ass.Fault...

I have the ignition pulled out right now and apart. There is a brass colored plate that slides over 2 connectors to complete the circuit, is this what you were referring to with contact points?

 

Update: So I identified the problem. The P.O. bypassed the fusebox for the ignition fuse and put it in it's own fuse pod. He had the Amp's wrong and it caused it to short out. No fuses were burnt, just a shorted.

I am going to go ahead and replace the whole fuse box with my replacement. I will post pics of the final bike. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. This bike would not be moving without all of you!