[TK421]

My old battery died, so I went out today to buy a new one. Had the shop charge it, put it in the bike (checked to make sure positive was to positive, and negative to negative) but now nothing's happening! The odometer won't come on, the headlight, nothing.

It's like the power isn't going anywhere. I checked all the fuses and they're all intact.:banghead:

What's going on? I'm not an electrical wizard, so help would be greatly appreciated. I have a four day weekend starting Thursday and I wanted to put some miles on!

 

[MrBill]

Check the basics first.

Check and see if the shop actually changed the battery.

Check battery with a voltmeter between the positive+ and - negitive posts.

Tighten the bolts with a wrench not with a screw driver.

 

[TK421]

I checked the battery and it is fully charged. I used my volt-meter and it checks out.

The bolts are tight.

Even with the new battery in, nothing electrical works. No lights or readouts come on. It's like the battery isn't even there!

 

[whiskeyrockr]

did you check the main fuse? i know you stated you checked all the fuses, but many people forget to check the fuse at the solenoid

 

[TK421]

I feel like a real idiot right now, but I can't find the solenoid to save my life! I'm even flipping through my 2003-2004 service manual, but I can't find it!

As I said, I'm not skilled at motorcycle electrical systems. I can wire an addition, but not a bike.

 

[whiskeyrockr]

no need to feel that way...it's been 2 years since i've owned the X and i don't even want to begin to guess at where it's at at this moment...usally, they are behind the right side cover, but i don't want to guess with the X...on the kawi it is behind the right side cover and under the coolant overflow jug and in a similar spot on some other bikes...dang, i wish i could remember, but after 2 years it's hard to say for sure
but a good way to help locate it is to follow the battery wires out and they should take you to it. it would be covered by a black rubber cover that you would pull back and the fuse should be located on either side of it...

 

[TK421]

HA! Thank you, google! I was able to find a picture of the solenoid, which allowed me to recognize it on the bike. Took at look at the 30 AMP main fuse, and it's blown!!

Success!! A simple fix and I'm off and running!!

Thank you, WhiskyRckr

:mosh:

 

[whiskeyrockr]

no problem, brother! glad to be able to help and even more glad it was just a simple fix...ride safe
for my memory, where was it located on the X...i honestly just can't remember...LOL

 

[limmoman]

Thanks for starting this thread. I haven't had any problems with fuses but didn't know there was a main fuse or where it was. I do now, thanks!

 

[whiskeyrockr]

Thanks for starting this thread. I haven't had any problems with fuses but didn't know there was a main fuse or where it was. I do now, thanks!

it is nice to know so if it happens...:cheers:

 

[thundrhd]

Gald this was an easy fix. One thing to keep in mind, something caused the fuse to blow in the first place. It could easily been an overload caused by an undercharged battery, or a direct short within the electrical circuit. Be sure no wiring to any lights have a bare spot, and also be sure there is not an intermittent problem with the starter assembly or ignition switch.

 

[Donut]

OK something blew it. What? It takes a direct short to blow a 30 amp fuse. They just don't go bad. ?????

Doug

 

[whiskeyrockr]

Gald this was an easy fix. One thing to keep in mind, something caused the fuse to blow in the first place. It could easily been an overload caused by an undercharged battery, or a direct short within the electrical circuit. Be sure no wiring to any lights have a bare spot, and also be sure there is not an intermittent problem with the starter assembly or ignition switch.

perhaps the battery wires touched when changing them out or putting them back in...if it was running when he took the old battery out and suddenly wasn't when the new battery was installed, i'm guessing something touched that shouldn't have when uninstalling/installing batteries...just another possibility i've done that before and searched for days finding the culprit, when the culprit was working on the bike the whole time....LOL

 

[yfx4]

+1. A wrench probably shorted when changing the battery.

 

[thundrhd]

perhaps the battery wires touched when changing them out or putting them back in...if it was running when he took the old battery out and suddenly wasn't when the new battery was installed, i'm guessing something touched that shouldn't have when uninstalling/installing batteries...just another possibility i've done that before and searched for days finding the culprit, when the culprit was working on the bike the whole time....LOL

:cheers:That's also an easy fix, and probably easy to do, just wouldn't want a guy to end up stranded with a blown fuse somewhere.

 

[whiskeyrockr]

:cheers:That's also an easy fix, and probably easy to do, just wouldn't want a guy to end up stranded with a blown fuse somewhere.

no doubt, i wouldn't want that to happen either

 

[BigJon]

Now, keep an eye on your starter solenoid. When the battery voltage drops, it can damage the solenoid, sometimes welding the contacts together making the starter stick in the run position.
If the starter won't disengage, hit the solenoid with something or disconnect the battery lead.

 

[TK421]

Wires crossed when trickle charging old battery. Must have caused the 30 AMP to blow. Wish I had known to check that first, I may not have needed to buy a new battery.

Still, it's fixed, and that's what's important.

 

[whiskeyrockr]

Wires crossed when trickle charging old battery. Must have caused the 30 AMP to blow. Wish I had known to check that first, I may not have needed to buy a new battery.

Still, it's fixed, and that's what's important.

glad to know it was something simple and you won't have to worry about it on the road :cheers:

 

[thundrhd]

glad to know it was something simple and you won't have to worry about it on the road :cheers:

YEP!! good to know it wasn't a short somewhere.