Short somewhere


Information and questions on GL1100 Goldwings (1980-1983)
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Noclue
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Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2022 12:04 am
Location: Chambersburg
Motorcycle: 1983 gl1100 aspencade

Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »



Well I'm back with a new problem with my 83 gl1100 aspencade I just rebuild my carbs it was running better then before I bought it but now on take off it drops down on rpms til it stalls to get it home I had to run each gear at 3500 or more to keep it going and had keep from coming to complete stops my volt was also unstable and wouldn't reach to 12v even sitting idling and revving engine it will barely move.
That being said I do know there is a short somewhere that is also connected somehow to my headlight cause I've had to replace fuse twice now for it
My question is could this short have caused problems with my coils or anything that is connected with the engine system it did melt the negative battery post today I will post a Pic
Once again I appreciate any help advice or guidance on this.

Melted negative battery post
Melted negative battery post



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biguns
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Location: Ardmore Oklahoma
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

I sent you another PM but first disconnect the ground cable at the battery and do an Ohm test to the frame and engine to the negative cable end where it bolts to the battery, look for a bad connection, shorts usually melt the positive side, bad grounds will arc on the negative.
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Noclue
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Motorcycle: 1983 gl1100 aspencade

Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »



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Noclue
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Motorcycle: 1983 gl1100 aspencade

Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

Instead of buying a new fuse box they just Jerry rig the old broke one up so I have no idea wiring has never been my strong suit
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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Noclue wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 8:13 am Instead of buying a new fuse box they just Jerry rig the old broke one up so I have no idea wiring has never been my strong suit
The fuse on the end/left looks like the prongs need cleaned and bent in to hold the fuse securely, I would check the others as well, like I mentioned in the above post I think you have a ground issue as well.
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

That left end one is for headlight it has blown twice now and proves get hot enough to burn marks in skin
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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Noclue wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:45 am That left end one is for headlight it has blown twice now and proves get hot enough to burn marks in skin
Pull it , trace the problem.it should not get hot. usually where the wires enter the headlight bucket or where they can get pinched/chaffed in the steering mechanism.
But still check the grounds, think you have more then one problem.
Anyone else here got any Ideas?
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

Ok I'm taking bike over to brother in laws garage it's cooling and he's a lot better at chasing wires lol
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

Not sure what this is will have to Google lol

Is this suppose to get really hot not even a minute after running
Is this suppose to get really hot not even a minute after running

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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Noclue wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 2:03 pm Not sure what this is will have to Google lol16610220795869173572408314821273.jpg
It is the voltage regulator, check the plug. yes it gets hot
Last edited by biguns on Sat Aug 20, 2022 2:13 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

What am I keeping an eye out for?
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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Disconnect every plug you find and look inside each end for melted plastic and wires, look for wires/harnesses that have rubbed through. Check your ground wire from the battery to the frame
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

biguns wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 2:10 pm Disconnect every plug you find and look inside each end for melted plastic and wires, look for wires/harnesses that have rubbed through. Check your ground wire from the battery to the frame
Like this?


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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Yes, there is a latch on them just push and pull apart look inside as many as you can for damage, if you cant open them look on each end for damaged wires.
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

Ok this is going to take a while but you know lol I have a lot of wiring problems will probably need to get new harnesses all around


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biguns
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by biguns »

Just talking about the big plugs not the brake switches and small 2 wire plugs the ones with 4-6-8 wires and especially the wires that carry current alternator, regulator, fuse panel
JoBoy68
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Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 10:28 am
Location: Pawtucket Rhode Island
Motorcycle: 1983 Honda GoldWing GL 1100 Interstate

Re: Short somewhere

Post by JoBoy68 »

I have an 83 interstate that sat for 10 years I brought it back to life I put a new battery in it at one point and the battery got so hot you could not touch it. Turns out the negative battery ground to the frame was a bad connection it looked fine until I removed it and you could see the rust messing up the connection I am also a trained auto mechanic and have always worked on my own bikes and electrical is not my strong suit but we have a lot of people on here with knowledge keep the questions coming you will get results
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Noclue
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Motorcycle: 1983 gl1100 aspencade

Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

JoBoy68 wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 9:47 pm I have an 83 interstate that sat for 10 years I brought it back to life I put a new battery in it at one point and the battery got so hot you could not touch it. Turns out the negative battery ground to the frame was a bad connection it looked fine until I removed it and you could see the rust messing up the connection I am also a trained auto mechanic and have always worked on my own bikes and electrical is not my strong suit but we have a lot of people on here with knowledge keep the questions coming you will get results
I'm the same I'm no good with electrical but I'm finding out I'm better then the previous owner he has it all messed up and all so could have a car stereo for music instead of spending a little money to get the radio that is supposed to be on it
I have decided to replace all wire harness and doing away with all the Jerry rigging I think ots best for the long run I just can't find a fuse box for my goldwing gl1100 aspencade lol
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WingAdmin
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by WingAdmin »

Battery terminals should not melt, ever.

The reason they melt is because of a bad connection between the cable and the terminal. Bad connections impede current flow. Impeded current flow causes heat. Heat melts terminals.

Take those cables off, and wire brush them so they are clean and shiny. Do the same to the battery terminals. Then reconnect them and make sure they are good and tight. That will prevent melting of your battery terminal in future.
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Noclue
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Re: Short somewhere

Post by Noclue »

Yes the Negative needed still dealing with the pervious owners wiring job just so he could put a car stereo in it but I still appreciate your advice the plan now is to take it slow and replace all the wiring harness and make sure I don't miss anything I do need a new fuse box for it but can't find 1 for 83 aspencade but thank you again
imsbreezy
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Joined: Tue May 05, 2015 6:18 pm
Location: Ripon, Wi
Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 Aspencade
1975 CB400F

Re: Short somewhere

Post by imsbreezy »

I found on my 83 that I finally had to change the fuse box. The connections inside were getting so loose and corroded. Found an 85 has same wires and colors. Just need to solder together and has spade type fuses.


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