Strange electrical problem?

[Longknight]

Hi,

I adjusted the clutch cable on my '98 600VW and started it to check the lever travel, naturally it stalled so I restarted it but it didn't catch so I hit the started button again.

Nothing, totally dead, no intrument lights, headlamp, absolutley nothing. I checked the main fuse and it had blown so I replaced it............. Still nothing.

I've checked the starter solenoid and it's connections, the ignition switch and it's connections and the fuse box. I have voltage at the ignition switch until I stick a fuse in, any fuse, lights or ignition.

Any ideas? PLease?

[sproggy]

It has to be a short circuit somewhere - probably a wire that's worn through the insulation and is touching the frame. It's impossible to be any more specific than that without seeing the bike, but I'd look first at any wires running near the controls, steering, clutch cable etc.

Look first at the thicker wires - they're most likely to cause complete system failure if they short out - more minor circuits would blow only their own fuse if they shorted out.

[Kakugo]

I can only think about the starter relay right now: it's directly connected with the clutch switch and if it stops working the battery will be effectively cut off from the rest of the electrics.

[Longknight]

Hi guys, I'd just like to thank you for the advice. It took me the best part of a fulls day to suss it out including stripping the bike down. It was a high restance fault which I had assumed all alongbut couldn't pinpoint.

I belived it to be the wiring loom as I'd measured the resitance to be 1.2k, rather excessive for less than 2m of wire, so I bypassed the loom with a jumper to see and no difference at all!!!!

In the end I discovered it to be the starter solenoid INTERNAL connections from the battery lug to the multiway connection add ed to this the actual 4 way plug was not clear of dirt and combined they added to create the fault.

I still can't fathom the 30A fuse blowing and the fault conditions arising just as I adjust the clutch cable and test it!!!!!!!

Lesson learnt: Don't assume anything or nessessarily look to the situation that "appeared" to cause the problem.

Thanks again.