relay issue
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2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: California
relay issue
78 shovel head, I went for a ride and on the way home the engine shut off, I had power to everything except the starter.I started looking it over and I noticed the relay kept clicking so I replaced the relay and also replaced the power switch. the bike fired up fine but when I tried to go for a ride the engine shut off again and I could hear the relay clicking non stop and now there is no power to the starter. Any ideas what can be causing the clicking in the relay and not get power to the starter?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
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From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Sorry if this seems simplistic, but are you speaking of the starter relay under the battery? Perhaps you are confusing a circuit breaker with a relay. don't want to be insulting but not sure of your skill level. How did you know the starter had no power? meter? no power to any post of the starter?
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
A starter relay shouldn't try to pull in unless pushing start button. So the question is, is that when it is clicking, or just when ignition on? If just ignition on, I would say breaker, unless something weird.
What about the headlight? What is it doing?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
Why do you think it is doing its job? Something rubbing on the frame drawing to much load?
A starter relay shouldn't try to pull in unless pushing start button. So the question is, is that when it is clicking, or just when ignition on? If just ignition on, I would say breaker, unless something weird.
What about the headlight? What is it doing?
A starter relay shouldn't try to pull in unless pushing start button. So the question is, is that when it is clicking, or just when ignition on? If just ignition on, I would say breaker, unless something weird.
What about the headlight? What is it doing?
If Ignition and lights both go Off [off/on/off/on] suspect main breaker... otherwise the other three breakers... my guess the ignition breaker... but could be accessory..
Fun part is locating the problem, once circuit is ascertained..
Makes me think of dumbass Mythbusters... claim a 22 cartridge will Not go off if used in the old automotive fuse block... Certainly will Not if no overcurrent situation... but Certainly Will if there is a Problem in the circuit... which of Course, would be the reason for Fuse troubleshooting anyway!!!
What I just said is... jumping accross the Breaker will certainly find the Problem... but, there will also be Smoke and Fire...and lots of Unnecessary Damage...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Was the "clicking" coming from under the dash (FL) or under the seat (FX)? If you have a multimeter we will get to the bottom of this.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
A breaker breaks...then resets, when an over-current situation arises..Most generally a hot wire to ground, somehow.
If Ignition and lights both go Off [off/on/off/on] suspect main breaker... otherwise the other three breakers... my guess the ignition breaker... but could be accessory..
Fun part is locating the problem, once circuit is ascertained..
Makes me think of dumbass Mythbusters... claim a 22 cartridge will Not go off if used in the old automotive fuse block... Certainly will Not if no overcurrent situation... but Certainly Will if there is a Problem in the circuit... which of Course, would be the reason for Fuse troubleshooting anyway!!!
What I just said is... jumping accross the Breaker will certainly find the Problem... but, there will also be Smoke and Fire...and lots of Unnecessary Damage...
If Ignition and lights both go Off [off/on/off/on] suspect main breaker... otherwise the other three breakers... my guess the ignition breaker... but could be accessory..
Fun part is locating the problem, once circuit is ascertained..
Makes me think of dumbass Mythbusters... claim a 22 cartridge will Not go off if used in the old automotive fuse block... Certainly will Not if no overcurrent situation... but Certainly Will if there is a Problem in the circuit... which of Course, would be the reason for Fuse troubleshooting anyway!!!
What I just said is... jumping accross the Breaker will certainly find the Problem... but, there will also be Smoke and Fire...and lots of Unnecessary Damage...
Ever throw smokeless gun powder in a fire?
Though I have no idea how much load it takes to blow a 22. But keep in mind if you throw ammo in a fire, the primer doesn't go off, and the bullet goes really slow. Maybe they discussed that on myth busters. Then there is the lack of pressure, since it is not in a barrel.
While I would not do it, I don't think its like TV, where everyone is running all over and stuff getting shot off the wall, and some guy getting shot in the butt.
Last edited by Zerk; May 12, 2019 at 08:35 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,564
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From: Cental, MI
Ya I think I said that just lot less words.
Ever throw smokeless gun powder in a fire?
Though I have no idea how much load it takes to blow a 22. But keep in mind if you throw ammo in a fire, the primer doesn't go off, and the bullet goes really slow. Maybe they discussed that on myth busters. Then there is the lack of pressure, since it is not in a barrel.
While I would not do it, I don't think its like TV, where everyone is running all over and stuff getting shot off the wall, and some guy getting shot in the butt.
Ever throw smokeless gun powder in a fire?
Though I have no idea how much load it takes to blow a 22. But keep in mind if you throw ammo in a fire, the primer doesn't go off, and the bullet goes really slow. Maybe they discussed that on myth busters. Then there is the lack of pressure, since it is not in a barrel.
While I would not do it, I don't think its like TV, where everyone is running all over and stuff getting shot off the wall, and some guy getting shot in the butt.
BTDT... well BT I didn't Do it.. someone else did... Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by mouth breathers!!!
Anyway... matters not wether the primer goes off or, not, but i think you will find that if you heat an empty, primed case... the primer goes Bang, much sooner than one would guess!!!
The Bullet, being heavier, don't really go anywhere, but the case, being relatively light, will scoot right away.. not nearly lethal, but, you would not want it to the face...nor the *** I should think..and it is Noisy...
Once again... the breaker is doing its job... upon sensing an overcurrent situation, it is "breaking" but then Resets [as designed] and Breaks again.... Big deal is to find the "Fault"
My Bet is usually someone opened the right Handlebar controls, and was Hamhanded when closing it back up... look for the Grey wire [right side] to be pinned against the handlebars or housing... Quick test??? Remove the ground strap from the handlebar mounts [under the tree] now there will probably be 12v on the handlebars... but, breaker cant tell this...Not the best test... as the Cables [clutch and Throttle] can still provide a Ground!!
Open the housing and look!!!!
Last edited by Racepres; May 13, 2019 at 08:14 AM.
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