[dantep]

So I drove my bike to work today 2006 vtx 1800. 37 mile commute. In the way it started raining a little, no problem done this many of times. About halfway I look down and speedometer is not working. Then I look and my mileage reading is not working. Then I notice headlights are dimmer, not good at 415 in the morning and in deer haven Kansas. About 2 miles from work I have no headlights. I get to work just fine. Turn bike off, when I turn key on I have ZERO power.
So my questions you think the battery or stator? If I can push start it and get it running will I make it back home as long as I don't turn bike off? Sounds dumb but working on it at home would be much better then working on it in my work parking lot with no tools, volt meter, etc.
Any help would be muchly appreciated. Thanks

 

[JPT]

Sound like a ground, or since you said your headlight when out, the starter switch (the mechanism). I would try getting some WD40, spraying it through the drain hole, working the buttons a few times with the ignition off, then try starting it. If it works you can get home and properly clean it, and apply some dielectric grease.

 

[PaXman11]

My guess would be battery not taking a charge first, then checking the charging system (stator) second. GL

 

[KneeDeep]

I would start off looking into the easiest thing.. the battery. Check to see if 1. The battery is fully charge and 2. make sure the positive and negative terminals are tight. When I first got my bike, I had a similar experience and both of my terminals were extremely loose. The negative was so loose that I could easily pull it off of the post with one finger. I'm not near as knowledgeable as some people on here but that's at least where I would start looking.

 

[dantep]

JPT. Appreciate the help. I will try that on my lunch break. Thanks again

My guess would be battery not taking a charge first, then checking the charging system (stator) second. GL

Thank you

 

[dantep]

I would start off looking into the easiest thing.. the battery. Check to see if 1. The battery is fully charge and 2. make sure the positive and negative terminals are tight. When I first got my bike, I had a similar experience and both of my terminals were extremely loose. The negative was so loose that I could easily pull it off of the post with one finger. I'm not near as knowledgeable as some people on here but that's at least where I would start looking.

Thanks. I will look at. My starter switch stuck open about a month ago, so maybe as the guy stated earlier that may be it. Going to start with starter switch and battery. I can do that at work at least.

 

[KneeDeep]

Thanks. I will look at. My starter switch stuck open about a month ago, so maybe as the guy stated earlier that may be it. Going to start with starter switch and battery. I can do that at work at least.

Ahhh, if you already had issues with the starter switch, they're probably correct. My symptoms were not exact but similar and it was the battery.

 

[Vinish]

To test the battery you must do the following: 1) Fully charge the battery. Battery can be in or out of bike when charging. 2) Take fully charged battery to any chain autoparts store. 3) Have autoparts store conduct a 100 amp load test. The results from this test will tell you if your battery is good or bad.

 

[henkvdb]

So my questions you think the battery or stator? If I can push start it and get it running will I make it back home as long as I don't turn bike off?

Stator?
I had the same symptoms a few years ago. I got stuck deep inside of Sequoia National Park 1200 miles from home. Was able to push start it and kept the bike going for 75 miles to Fresno where it finally completely died a few miles from a dealer who replaced the stator.