Now it won't start, what happened?

[RoadVenture]

It was a rainy day so since I was unable to successfully get an extended front brake hose i decided to put the stock handlebars and cables back on so I would be rady to ride when the rain cleared eventually. Not being satisfied I also decided to install my Electrical Connection fuse block so I could use it to run my GPS and future Moto Lights. The handle bar re-install went fine. The fuse block install went fine. I put gas in the tank and started up the bike. Oops, it didn't start.

The ignition went on, both the speedo and tach did their needle sweeps and the indicator lights flashed on and off.................normal. No neutral light. Pull in the clutch and I pressed the started button and it cranked for maybe 5 seconds then stopped cranking. I pressed the button again and nothing.

Key off, key on. The speedo needle did a sweep, but not the tach. Tack indicator lights flashed and the oil light came on in the speedo. Pressed the started button again, cranked two times and stopped. Now the oil light is on PLUS the orange "engine" light.

Key off, key on. All is the same as previously described before, but now there is no cranking at all.

Key off, key on. All the same as before, No neutral light (trans is in neutral)

Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong? Please feel free to tell me that I am an idiot and have done the equivilent of forgetting to turn on the fuel petcock.

 

[Toystoretom]

Check your kill switch..... then recharge your battery.

 

[Pig9r]

+1 for the battery

 

[RoadVenture]

accessory plugs?

Check your kill switch..... then recharge your battery.

It has been on a battery minder all winter and shows ~13.5V. The kill switch is ON. NOTHING happens when you turn on the ignition with the kill switch off. I have lights, speedo sweep, etc...... (as described)

I did also, remove the Triumph fog lights and heated grips over the winter. I noticed that Triumph had been very nice and pre-wired all the accessories into the wiring harness. When I unplugged the fog lights and heated grips I was left with several open plugs. Is that right? Or do they get re-plugged in someplace else????

 

[RoadVenture]

+1 for the battery

That might be it. Would a marginal battery cause the tach needle to NOT sweep when the ignition is turned on?

This bike DOES have an aftermarket battery and I do not know when it was replaced. It always seemed strong for the short time I rode it in the fall but I know how batteries can be sometimes.

I'll see if there is anything obvious tonight and then get a new battery. At least I'll know that I have a good one to start the riding season.

 

[goodfellow]

yep,
weak battery or loose (not very tight) terminals. check your undertank connections.it may have a direct short from chafing due to hurried/careless installation at the factory.the ignition bundle is where i would look first.remove plastic neck cover and check bundles running toward under tank connections.don't forget to turn connections over while checking for insulation burns/discoloration.


greg

 

[Pig9r]

Hook some jumper cables up to it and see what happens.

 

[Gunshots]

Doublecheck the starter wire under her belly. I'll vote for that or bad ground.

 

[scowherd]

I know this might sound crazy but I had the same problem with the tac and netural light. It was traced back to a fuse for the heated grips. I replaced it every thing worked normal. I would check your fuses.

 

[tdragger]

It sounds like a battery issue. I thought that I was getting a weak battery and everything looked good. However, when I disconnected the battery cables I discovered that the undersides of the contacts were corroded. It wasn't obvious when connected. I gave all the contacts a good scrub, reconnected the battery and put it on the charger. I haven't had a problem since. I'd suggest a good scrub to the battery terminals and charge then see what happens.