2011 R3T Completely Dead

[dobro]

After riding about 15 minutes I stopped at a store for 20 minutes and when I turned key --no sign of life at all. Tried turning key 8 or 10 more times then it suddenly lit up and started fine. Battery was charged 2 days ago (it quickly fully charged) and terminals cleaned & fuses replaced because the same problem happened about a week ago when I thought it was the ecm relay. I'm assuming it's a poor ground connection. On a 2011 what else could it be? I thought the ignition overheating problem had been cured by 2011--am I wrong?

 

[cardinal93]

I don't think the ignition switch problem has ever truly been fixed? Triumph did do an update, but my understanding is it is still insufficient? I could be wrong though?

Do you have a headlight relay of any type installed (eastern beaver or similar)? Although from the sound of your issue it seems more likely to be a ground.

 

[tdragger]

It sounds more like a grounding problem. I replaced the negative battery cable with a bigger gauge wire and also installed a secondary starter relay. Completely solved the problem.

 

[dobro]

I don't think the ignition switch problem has ever truly been fixed? Triumph did do an update, but my understanding is it is still insufficient? I could be wrong though?

Do you have a headlight relay of any type installed (eastern beaver or similar)? Although from the sound of your issue it seems more likely to be a ground.

No EB or similar.

 

[dobro]

It sounds more like a grounding problem. I replaced the negative battery cable with a bigger gauge wire and also installed a secondary starter relay. Completely solved the problem.

Where is the ground wire that would be causing this problem? Thanks, Cardinal and Tdragger.

 

[Greeny]

Hi have had same problem, after having bike towed ignition switch changed ($1000) the problem happened again. The problem is the white wire in a connection under the fuel tank where the ignition wires from switch meets the loom. Have also put relays for headlight. Problem fixed

 

[tdragger]

When you take the seat off, follow the negative battery cable down behind the left side cover to where it connects to the engine block. The R3T may be a bit different from the Standard that I have but the principle is the same. Either run a parallel cable or replace the stock cable with a much bigger one. Look in the Rocket III Resources forum for a discussion on the subject.

 

[dtgiese]

Hi have had same problem, after having bike towed ignition switch changed ($1000) the problem happened again. The problem is the white wire in a connection under the fuel tank where the ignition wires from switch meets the loom. Have also put relays for headlight. Problem fixed

I also had the same problem, trailered it home and she started right up but knowing the ignition problem went ahead and drilled out the ignition mounting bolts then used a easy out to remove the screws. Checked out the wiring on the ignition switch but could find no problems with the solder joints so I put it back together. Started right up, but then I finished by mounting the Bearclaw. Went to take her for a ride and NOTHING! So I went backwards taking her apart and checking to see if there was any power at each step. As soon as I touched the ignition switch connector I got power. The white wire was slightly browned but no melting that I could see inside of the connector or outside towards the wires. I went ahead and jumped the white wire using a bullet connector so I could still take it apart and I soldered the jump points on each side before taping them up. Have not had a problem since and no I still have not installed an EB kit. I did order an ignition switch before I realized what was going on so I have it on stand by just in case.

 

[Bedifferent]

I also had the same problem, trailered it home and she started right up but knowing the ignition problem went ahead and drilled out the ignition mounting bolts then used a easy out to remove the screws. Checked out the wiring on the ignition switch but could find no problems with the solder joints so I put it back together. Started right up, but then I finished by mounting the Bearclaw. Went to take her for a ride and NOTHING! So I went backwards taking her apart and checking to see if there was any power at each step. As soon as I touched the ignition switch connector I got power. The white wire was slightly browned but no melting that I could see inside of the connector or outside towards the wires. I went ahead and jumped the white wire using a bullet connector so I could still take it apart and I soldered the jump points on each side before taping them up. Have not had a problem since and no I still have not installed an EB kit. I did order an ignition switch before I realized what was going on so I have it on stand by just in case.

It looks like the white wire from the switch goes to the white/blue on the harness according to the wiring diagram on the R3T. Is that what you found?

 

[cr0ft]

Always keep in mind that the R3 Touring is largely a different bike than the R3 everything-else. In other words, can't just assume that the same ailments will happen for the same reasons.