Unusual Electrical (?) Problem


Information and questions on GL1500 Goldwings (1988-2000)
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pease
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 4:33 pm
Location: Chico, CA
Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A

Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by pease »



Hi,

I have a 2003 GL1800, with a new, fully-charged battery and a new problem. The problem has shown up in 2 different ways.

First, at times the bike will not try to start; the key turns all of the lights on, but the starter button does nothing. The lights do not dim, there is no sound, simply nothing, as if I wasn't pushing the button (again, new fully-charged battery). Then, for no reason I can identify, the problem will go away and the bike will start perfectly. I might guess that it's the sidestand switch, except I can tell from the dash light that the switch is working correctly.

Second, after getting the bike to start, I took a 100-mile trip: 50 miles out to my destination and 50 home again. On the way out, everything was perfect. On the way home, while cruising down a country road, the engine just stopped. The dash lights were fine, no indication of any problem. I pulled over to the side of the road, shifted to neutral, hit the starter, and the bike started right up, and ran fine all the way home.

I suppose that the two symptom could be different problems, but they started on the same day, so it doesn't feel like it. The only other clue I can offer is that I had just put a new (Yuasu stock) battery in the bike; however, there is no evidence of the battery circuit having a short (the dash lights, headlights, etc. all work fine with no flickering).

I'm hoping someone can point me in a direction to look that could explain both of these symptoms.

Thanks! -David


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Rambozo
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Re: Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by Rambozo »

Could be two unrelated problems, but since the kill switch and the start button are in the same control pod, the first place I would look is the connector to that pod. Maybe some moisture or corrosion has made that flakey.
There could also be a problem inside the pod itself. That the headlights didn't go out when the button was pushed indicates a switch problem as the button has two switch contacts, one for the starter and one for the lights.
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pease
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 4:33 pm
Location: Chico, CA
Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A

Re: Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by pease »

Thanks, great thought. I'll check it out.
-David
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Charlie1Horse
Posts: 808
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:35 pm
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Motorcycle: 1986 GL1200A Aspencade
1992 GL1500I Interstate
2002 GL1800

Re: Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by Charlie1Horse »

Check the kill switch for bad connections and spray some electronics cleaner into the switch/work it back and forth a few times. My 92 1500 had this problem, stopped while on the road and then started back up ok. Years and miles of vibration at the handlebar will sometimes cause the connector screws under the kill switch to become loose.
Russell
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.
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pease
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 4:33 pm
Location: Chico, CA
Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A

Re: Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by pease »

Thanks Russell,
I'll be looking in the area of the kill switch (when I get time to work on it), and report back.
-David
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newday777
Posts: 2431
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm
Location: Milford NH
Motorcycle: 2008 Cabernet Red. Level 4 bought at 15,000 now 172,000

1975 CB750 K5 Planet Blue 11,00 miles

Project bikes
1976 CB750 K6 Anteres Red 25,000 miles, 2 more K6s, 1 K4, 1 K8

Past rides
1983 GL1100A Wineberry 63,000 miles(sold)

1999A Restored from PO neglect & sold at 19,000 miles

1999SE Totaled by cager at 105,000 miles

Re: Unusual Electrical (?) Problem

Post by newday777 »

Yes the kill switch is a most likely suspect.
You will need to take it apart and clean it properly.

Spraying the bike with high pressure washers to clean the bike(at home or at car washes) are the demise of switches as the pressure pushes dirt and road grime with soap and water into all the switches causing a multitude of problems.

Put a voltmeter on the bike so you can monitor your voltage output as you ride. It helps to know especially when you have problems and include the voltage in your electrical problem questions.


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