Electrical problem

[milesk75]

Hi everyone, I have a 1987 GL1200 Interstate and it's completely dead. I checked all the fuses including the main fuse in the starter selenoid and everything is ok, checked the ignition switch continuity and everything is ok, checked continuity between the positive and negative battery cables with ignition switch on and battery disconnected and it's ok. Replaced the battery and it's still dead, absolutely no power to anything. Any ideas what the cause could be?

[rzaugg]

About the only advice I can give you is to get a wiring diagram, a voltmeter, and start taking plastic off. You've checked continuity, now check for voltage. Starting at the battery, then on to the starter solenoid, and so on and so forth.

My best "guess" would be ignition switch. Have seen instances where wires were frayed and several strands were broken. Good enough for continuity, but not enough for current flow.

Hope this helps

[wiretician]

May be chiming in a little late, but from an electrician's troubleshooting view. Which is the process of elimination, start with the simplest things first and work your way to the more expensive things. Start with the fuses and connections. Also on fuses, sometimes vibration can cause a crack to develop, which will allow volts to pass but not current. Vibration will also cause wires to break loose, wire strand will touch and pass volts, give each wire a little pull, broke wire will pull off easily. As you've changed the battery, you probably cleaned the battery connections. Just trying to say that sometimes it is the simplest thing. As rzaugg said wiring diagram and a voltmeter, but add a 12v test light available at any automotive parts store. The test light will test for voltage, but will also put a bit of current test as well. The last thing is patience with a side of perseverance. Hope that helps