Turn signals don't work and the bike won't start

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Oct 29, 2010 | 05:10 PM

#21

Dynamic

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 196

Likes: 2

Why would you put dielectric grease on electrical contacts.?? A dielectric is an INSULATOR. You want CONDUCTIVE grease, thermally and electrically conductive. Check an electronic store.

Oct 29, 2010 | 05:21 PM

#22

HOTLAP

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 5,067

Likes: 394

From: Edmonton Alberta Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynamic

Why would you put dielectric grease on electrical contacts.?? A dielectric is an INSULATOR. You want CONDUCTIVE grease, thermally and electrically conductive. Check an electronic store.

This is a common misunderstanding. Like you said, it is not conductive, and therefore does not enhance the conductivity of a connection. What it does do, however, is help keep the connectors in good shape, that is, free of corrosion, debris, etc.

Clean connectors obviously work better, so by keeping the connectors clean, dielectric grease does play a part in enhancing conductivity, albeit indirectly.

Oct 29, 2010 | 06:59 PM

#23

peppi

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 720

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynamic

Why would you put dielectric grease on electrical contacts.?? A dielectric is an INSULATOR. You want CONDUCTIVE grease, thermally and electrically conductive. Check an electronic store.

Hotlap is correct has you covered there. You do not want a conductive grease on anything electrical (read short circuit). The dielectric grease is an insulator but it doesn't interfere with the connection, just the air and moisture that can cause the corrosion are kept at bay.

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:48 AM

#24

wilburz

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,569

Likes: 10

From: Royal Palm Beach, FL

pull your cover down and listen to the start relay. i bet that is what is clicking. go get 2 relays and put and end to your missery.

Nov 1, 2010 | 03:49 PM

#25

willcla

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussianMonk

I had something similar to this on my old bike. It was the relay on mine.

DO you mean one of the two relays in the fuse box or something else?

Nov 1, 2010 | 04:36 PM

#26

RussianMonk

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 313

Likes: 0

From: BK

Quote:

Originally Posted by willcla

DO you mean one of the two relays in the fuse box or something else?

It was one of the two relays under the seat

Nov 1, 2010 | 06:27 PM

#27

willcla

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 31

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Thank you all for your help.

Once I started looking at the fuses and and comparing them to the diagram I noticed that in the diagram all of the fuses were 15A fuses except for one 2A fuse. The fuse box on my bike a wonderful assortment of 30A, 25A, 20A, 15A and 10A fuses. Whoever had the bike before me must have been huffing paint because they replaced all the correct fuses with incorrect ones.

I tested the relays and they both worked

So I replaced the wrong fuses with correct fuses and the bike started right up and sounded great.

Last edited by willcla; Nov 1, 2010 at 06:51 PM. Reason: Added more info