solenoid?

[dph03]

Driving down the road and I smell plastic burning. Suddenly power goes out. I check the kill switch. all is good. I test battery, it is good. No power to the fusess. I jump the solenoid and it turned over. Every time I replace the solenoid fuss in it burns out instantly. Is the problem the solenoid?

[Maz]

The fuse on the solenoid (30A) is the main fuse for the bike. It feeds a few circuits, including the ignition coils. The solenoid shouldn't be drawing current until the start button is pressed. Time to get the wiring diagram out and start checking each circuit for shorts to ground. Initially though, check every wire and connector that you can see for shorts/bare conductors. Try to establish exactly what was burning/melting - that will point you in the right direction.
Maz

[DaveO430]

First thing to do is disconnect the voltage regulator. If that doesn't do it you have a short in the wiring. No the problem is not the solenoid.

[dph03]

is there a test i can use to test the solenoid?
My 30 amp breaker blows as soon as I hookup the power up. I cannot find any obvious shorts. 2 of the 4 out posts has voltage.

[WingAdmin]

is there a test i can use to test the solenoid?
My 30 amp breaker blows as soon as I hookup the power up. I cannot find any obvious shorts. 2 of the 4 out posts has voltage.

Here's a trick to at least get you part of the way. In place of the 30 amp fuse, hook up a 12 volt light.

When you have a short, the light will light up (instead of blowing yet another fuse), and the bulb itself will limit the current, so any short that exists won't melt anything or do damage.

When you find the short and correct it, the light will turn off, indicating that you've got the right cause.

[dph03]

How do I test the voltage regulator?

[DaveO430]

How do I test the voltage regulator?

If the short goes away if you unplug it no testing is necessary, it's shorted.

[dph03]

Can/should I ride it for a while without? My Honda shop ain't open today.

[DaveO430]

Can/should I ride it for a while without? My Honda shop ain't open today.

You can ride it until the battery goes dead, which won't be very far.

[dph03]

FYI, it was the voltage Regulator/rectifier. Thanks!