GL1800 Tick over problem
- Martyn2112
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:38 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: Goldwing GL1800 A3 2003
- Contact:
GL1800 Tick over problem
Hi Guys,
I'm new to the forum was looking for a bit of help.
I seem to be having a little problem with my Bike.
When my lights are on the bike struggles to tick over and rattles quite badly, when the lights are off this goes away and ticks over nicely.
I don't have many accessories on the bike to overload the alternator(Sat-Nav & Ride Cam).
If I disconnect the feed wire from the Alternator to the battery the tick over with the lights on returns to smooth and normal but replacing the feed wire brings the problem back.
It's a relatively new alternator I have done about 3000 miles since it was fitted and it was also doing this before the alternator was changed.
Any idea's of what could be causing the drop in power to the bike when the lights are on? The alternator is putting out sufficient power as this is what is confusing me.
Thanks in anticipation
Martyn
I'm new to the forum was looking for a bit of help.
I seem to be having a little problem with my Bike.
When my lights are on the bike struggles to tick over and rattles quite badly, when the lights are off this goes away and ticks over nicely.
I don't have many accessories on the bike to overload the alternator(Sat-Nav & Ride Cam).
If I disconnect the feed wire from the Alternator to the battery the tick over with the lights on returns to smooth and normal but replacing the feed wire brings the problem back.
It's a relatively new alternator I have done about 3000 miles since it was fitted and it was also doing this before the alternator was changed.
Any idea's of what could be causing the drop in power to the bike when the lights are on? The alternator is putting out sufficient power as this is what is confusing me.
Thanks in anticipation
Martyn
- MikeB
- Posts: 3326
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
The battery may be weak. Seems as though there is not enough output from the alternator to charge the battery, keep the lights on and keep the bike running smoothly. I would replace the battery if I were you.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Martyn2112
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:38 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: Goldwing GL1800 A3 2003
- Contact:
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
Hi Mike
Already tried that I have put a brand new Yuasa battery on it and its still doing the same thing.
Martyn
Already tried that I have put a brand new Yuasa battery on it and its still doing the same thing.
Martyn
- Viking
- Posts: 3709
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
As the lights on a GL1800 are automatic and come on when you turn the key, and go off while starting, to return after the bike is started, I guess you are actually referring to after market lights. Perhaps the lights draw too much power, if they are incandescent spots. Or you have retrofitted HID lights, which may still draw too much power.
- Martyn2112
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:38 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: Goldwing GL1800 A3 2003
- Contact:
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
No not aftermaket lights, I have a 2003 model on which you can turn the main lights on and of and re not automatic.
Thanks for the input though
Thanks for the input though
- Viking
- Posts: 3709
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
I did not realize you could do that on any of them. That would be a good feature to retain, although probably illegal where I live. Sorry I could not have been more help.Martyn2112 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:14 pm No not aftermaket lights, I have a 2003 model on which you can turn the main lights on and off and are not automatic.
Thanks for the input though
- thrasherg
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Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
This is the case in the USA, in Europe, most motorcycles have a manual switch to turn the lights on/off..themainviking wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2017 6:54 am As the lights on a GL1800 are automatic and come on when you turn the key, and go off while starting, to return after the bike is started, I guess you are actually referring to after market lights. Perhaps the lights draw too much power, if they are incandescent spots. Or you have retrofitted HID lights, which may still draw too much power.
Gary
- Wingsconsin
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- Motorcycle: Current Rides -
2002 GL1800 - Pearl Orange
1983 Suzuki GS850GL - Blue & Black
Past rides -
2003 GL1800 - Illusion Blue
1996 GL1500 Aspencade - Pearl Blue
1992 GL1500 Aspencade -Candy Red
1980 GL1100 - Custom Cobalt Blue
1985 GL1200 Aspencade Brown
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1982 CX500 Custom Blue
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Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
This seems to an indicator of what is wrong...I don;t know what to do with that information ..but it clearly shows a symptomMartyn2112 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:56 am Hi Guys,
I'm new to the forum was looking for a bit of help.
I seem to be having a little problem with my Bike.
When my lights are on the bike struggles to tick over and rattles quite badly, when the lights are off this goes away and ticks over nicely.
I don't have many accessories on the bike to overload the alternator(Sat-Nav & Ride Cam).
If I disconnect the feed wire from the Alternator to the battery the tick over with the lights on returns to smooth and normal but replacing the feed wire brings the problem back.
It's a relatively new alternator I have done about 3000 miles since it was fitted and it was also doing this before the alternator was changed.
Any idea's of what could be causing the drop in power to the bike when the lights are on? The alternator is putting out sufficient power as this is what is confusing me.
Thanks in anticipation
Martyn
At first I was going to recommend checking ground (earth) connections - but this has me puzzled.
Postings are my opinions based on experience and acquired knowledge.
Your results may vary. Universal disclaimers apply.
Munk's Maxim -- There is no such thing as a cheap motorcycle
Your results may vary. Universal disclaimers apply.
Munk's Maxim -- There is no such thing as a cheap motorcycle
- MikeB
- Posts: 3326
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
You didn't say that in your initial post or I would not have recommended replacing the battery.Martyn2112 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:52 pm Hi Mike
Already tried that I have put a brand new Yuasa battery on it and its still doing the same thing.
Martyn
Have you done voltage checks at the battery and Alternator? By the way, disconnecting the alternator feed wire and running the bike is probably not a good idea, especially if it is already running.
Voltage with the bike off should be about 12.7 volts or higher.
With the bike running and lights on, the voltage should be about 13.5 to 14.0 volts or higher.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Martyn2112
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:38 am
- Location: United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: Goldwing GL1800 A3 2003
- Contact:
Re: GL1800 Tick over problem
Thanks for the Info Mike I will get it checked asapMikeB wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:30 amYou didn't say that in your initial post or I would not have recommended replacing the battery.Martyn2112 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:52 pm Hi Mike
Already tried that I have put a brand new Yuasa battery on it and its still doing the same thing.
Martyn
Have you done voltage checks at the battery and Alternator? By the way, disconnecting the alternator feed wire and running the bike is probably not a good idea, especially if it is already running.
Voltage with the bike off should be about 12.7 volts or higher.
With the bike running and lights on, the voltage should be about 13.5 to 14.0 volts or higher.