Newbie with first problem on 4th Gen

Hi everybody, well I have been on the forum for a while just snooping around. I have a 96/4th Gen that I purchased in Nov of 2010 as my first bike. I bought the bike with 25000 miles and I currently have 40000 miles on it, mainly all commuting out here in SoCal. The last 6 months the bike has been riding excellent, but currently i have had a minor issue. Last week coming home from work, a 75 mile ride one way, i stopped at an ATM to pull out money. When I got back on the bike, the bike wouldnt start. Lights would turn on. but no click or it didnt even try to turn over. After a few minutes of trying to start it, it cranked right up like nothing. Got home and tested the battery, 12+ voltage and almost 13 in idle.

I rode it for the rest of the week and today in the morning same thing, it wouldnt start. Got home after driving my truck to work, 18mpg, and the bike started right up like nothing??????

Need some help, starter, relay, start switch?

Thanks

 

Electrical components tend to fail when they are hot so perhaps a few minutes of sitting allowed them to cool down enough to the point where the bike could be started. I would check all your electrical connections including battery posts, ground wire, starter relay, R/R plug, and stator plug for signs of melting or burning. Does this bike have the original R/R and wiring harness?

Rollin

 

Thanks for the quick response you guys. Well as for side stand and neutral light, both were illuminated and also tried to start with side stand up and with clutch in and neutral light illuminated. I checked the connections on the relay, battery and wiring on the R/R and I didnt see any signs of melting and or corrosion. Havent checked the wires on the starter and ground cable. As for the R/R, I dont know how to check if its the original or if its been replaced. I did notice a lot of electrical tape around the wiring harness coming from the R/R.

 

Might not be the problem but try working the ignition switch a bit. Mine did the same thing when I tried to test ride it before I bought it. It had stood for a long time though.

 

4th Gen still giving problems

Well, after riding my bike a few days it started with the same problem today. It didnt want to start in the morning and after work. Eventually it started up, but after going over a few things I think I found the problem, my kill switch. Does anybody know how to bypass it or should I just order a used one through Ebay?

Thanks

 

A brand new control cluster for the right side is 80 bucks from bike bandit, if they can get it. Just a thought.