Lights come on but nothing

[millwrightmike]

I am new to this site as I just traded for an 86 454. When I first looked at the bike it started, ran, and it idled well too. So when I got it home I bought a new battery and charged it up and installed it. now when I turn the key one spot it lights up the dash but if I go any further with the key the lights shut off. Also I get nothing when I hit the start button in any of the key position. Any ideas what could have gone wrong?

[lamestlame]

Key stops on the first position and someone should be here for the rest. Try jiggling the starter button.

[eaglerider]

Could have a dirty or bad ignition switch...turning the key all the way activates the steering fork lock with the handlebars turned all the way to the left.....try wiggling the key as u push starter button. Or, starter push button could be dirty/corroded and not making good contact. Check the battery ground connections.

[millwrightmike]

My ground wire that goes to my battery is a black wire and a black and yellow wire crimped together. there is also another wire that connects to the ground. On the positive I have a solid black wire and a white wire with a fuse. The bike started fine a couple days ago before I brought it home. Could 3 hours in the back of a truck do something to it?

[eaglerider]

Shouldn't, unless a loose connection. Now, a bad or dirty ignition switch can be intermitnent...did u wiggle the key in the on position while pushing the starter button?

[millwrightmike]

Yes I've tried wiggling the key and holding the starter while moving the key. My multimeter reads 12.6 at the battery. So u think the problem could be the starter button or the key?

[millwrightmike]

Is there any kind of checks I could do to eliminate one another

[eaglerider]

Do you know how to "jump" the starter selonoid? Take 2 screwdrivers and jump across the two large posts on the starter solenoid...if the starter spins and engine starts or trys to, then the starter button is bad or the solenoid is shot. Make sure the bike is in neutral.

[millwrightmike]

Ok I jumped the solenoid and the engine started to crank. How do I tell whether it is the solenoid or the starter button? Does this mean the key is not an issue?

[eaglerider]

Not the ignition switch...two possibilities....either the push button starter switch, or the selonoid itself....I would look at the starter button first...it is pretty simple, and really, kinda cheaply made. Could be just dirty and not making contact, or really shot. I had mine go bad, and replaced it with a better one from Radio Shack, that I was able to fit in the housing. However, jumping the selonoid usually indicated a bad one.

[millwrightmike]

Thanks a lot eaglerider I greatly appreciate your help and interest in my situation. Im gonna try and clean the button I have first and test the solenoid

[millwrightmike]

When it was attempting to start it fuel was leaking out of the carbs. I think they floats could be stuck open so im gonna pull them off and clean it up

[Blaine]

Oct 27, 2013 10:39:05 GMT -6 millwrightmike said:

When it was attempting to start it fuel was leaking out of the carbs. I think they floats could be stuck open so im gonna pull them off and clean it up

Sometimes if you tap the float bowels it will unstick the float/needle.

[millwrightmike]

So I took the starter solenoid off today and di a bench test and it works great. I went out and bought a momentary switch and was wondering if I could just wire it to the solenoid and bypass the starter switch on the bars and the ignition

[millwrightmike]

If I wire the bike like this will it work? link

[pitrage]

Dont touvh anything till I get on a comp and give you the instructions to check last item. I just finished with this and its possibly super simple but everyone is over thinking it as I did for a month of working on my bike.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using proboards

[millwrightmike]

Ok I was just about to start cutting wires and running new ones to try out my way. But im gonna wait for you as I just finished cleaning most of the electrical connections

[lamestlame]

I had this problem just replaced the solenoid and power is running through now. Did the test on it too.

[pitrage]

I just started a post under electrical that should help you. If not replace the solenoid just incase.