97 heritage- Drove the bike to the store and returned home no problems. Turned off bike in driveway to open garage door and when I turned switch back I had lost all power at ignition switch. No run or No acc. Checked ground cable and it looks good. Battery reads over 12v. Took dash panel off and removed switch- looks good -no corrosion or nothing loose. Could it be a breaker? I have a brain lock when it comes to electrical . What do the breakers look like? Anyone know what to check? Bad switch?

 

The breakers on my bike are inside the headlight nacelle and are similar in size and shape to some auto flasher modules. But there are several of them and I would expect you would have some parts of the bike electrics that would work, if one of them had cut out.

As you appear to have no power to anything the problem is pretty basic! Starting from the battery work your way along the wires in each direction.

If it is any help, most electrical problems are actually mechanical. In other words something visible has either broken, come undone, burnt out, etc. I keep telling myself that.....

 

I was thinking main 30a breaker failed?

 

Mine did that a couple of weeks ago. I could wiggle the switch and it would work. It did it 3 times. Last Saturday I took the console off and turned it over. Unplugged it and placed some dielectric compound on the plug. I then sprayed a small amount of WD40 in the switch mechanism. So far so good. Not saying that is your problem. Just sharing my experience.

 

OK yesterday played with it all day and no power. Today I pull the console again to check voltage at switch and power is ON. I dont think its a breaker because it took 18 hourts to cool down and start working again. Going to autoparts store to get some dielectric grease until the new switch I ordered comes in. Found a bare wire rubbed by the back tire. Would this cause total power loss?

 

It certainly could if it was grounding itself, at which point it could pop a breaker or blow a fuse.

 

Thanks. I guess it about time I fix that wiring harness under the fender

 

Had power so I back bike out of garage and turn switch on hit starter and no power again. Everythings dead again. Check switch - no power to switch. Put a lead on 30 a breaker and no power. Should I get power at breaker if its good? Power goes from battery to starter to breaker then ignition. Right? Could the breaker have taken overnight to reset?

 

Are you sure your ground wire is good and that it is getting a good ground?

 

I assume that he has also checked this. Every so often I have to retighten my positive battery cable. The vibration continues to vibrate it loose. I have installed external star lock washers and it seems to help, but still tends to loosen up. I have owned the bike for 8 1/2 years and have had to do this since I have owned it. Always seems to show up when I decide at the last minute to ride with the Florida Crew. Again! Just my experience.