RF900 Diagnostic - Electrical

[Colapop]

The RF died. I pulled up at the gas station, filled the tank, paid and turned the key. No dash lights, no horn, no starter. Dammit!! So I go throught the usual checks - On/Off switch - On, fuses - all ok. Plugs (clutch switch, kick stand) all connected. Main 30A fuse - ok. There is plenty of juice in the battery. I pretty much checked everything I could checj at the gas station without stripping the bike apart on the forecourt. Extremely grateful for flatmate (AJTurbo) coming to pick me and dead bike up in the van.
So now, I've stripped the fairings and looked at what I can look at. I can't see any broken wires or unplugged plugs (that's what I suspect it is.) It has been suggested to me that it's the alternator (cush drive) which is a well known RF problem While I'm not discounting this advice or writing it off, I'm trying to ascertain whether it is another issue before I break the bike down into smaller parts.

So my question is - how do I diagnose the problem? I have a wiring diagram (workshop manual) but am not very good at reading those. I would guess that I'll need a meter to check the current across certain parts of the electrical system? I really don't like electrics - probably something to do with therapy I had when I was younger... :crazy:

[tri boy]

yep, get a meter mate.
If your main fuse has 12v on both sides, uncouple your ignition switch block, and check for 12v at the plug. (think it is a read wire that feeds voltage to the switch).
If you have no volts, or low volts, then you have afault between the main fuse and switch. (damaged wire etc).
If you have 12v, plug the coupling back together, turn on the key, and check for voltage coming out of the switch at the same coupling. (think it's got a couple of wires live, orange, grey etc)
If no voltage is coming out of the switch, then you have a fault there.

that will keep you busy for a while, after that, you have dozens of little checks to follow using your manual.

Don't sulk on it. Your a big boy. Get stuck in.:bleh:

All this assumes the battery is ok.
This is a real basic discription of where to start, as I havn't got a RF manual on my desk in front of me. Only bourbon, and a sandwich.

[Paul in NZ]

Argh!

Total electrical failure at rest tends to indicate the source! Check the battery and leads PLUS earth connections....

Sorry - you might just need a meter. Sing out if you wanna borrow one but at $19 for one at tricky dickies they are almost a no brainer...

[ajturbo]

thanks guys.. was thinking along the same lines....
i have a meter....
so will have to get down there and use it.... after i do someone's friging dishes..AGAIN

[awayatc]

Likely to be a big amp fuse near battery.....follow the wires....

[FROSTY]

Id suggest use the old indicator as a voltage indicator trick.
See if theres life in the battery. then if there is then trace down the main earth and power lines

[Mully]

Col, can you crash start the bike?

[Colapop]

No hope crash starting it. There is no life in there at all!

I do the dishes!! Jeez!! Ya cook, ya clean, ya do washing... That reminds me - AJ, would you be a dear and make the bed please?

[ManDownUnder]

My RF did this to me twice during her life - both times it was the battery shitting itself (while sitting in the shed...!).

Suggest that as a first port of call.

[yod]

It has been suggested to me that it's the alternator (cush drive) which is a well known RF problem While I'm not discounting this advice or writing it off, I'm trying to ascertain whether it is another issue before I break the bike down into smaller parts.


doesn't sound like it given that it seems pretty instantaneous

this happened to mine and it manifests in the same way as a shagged generator; hence, your battery would have gradually lost charge and you would have probably noticed your lights/dash lights getting dimmer and dimmer until there wouldn't have been enough charge to start her up

if your battery still has plenty of charge then this won't be the problem

I took it all apart myself and took the drive unit to PTs to supply and have the new drive end pressed on, around $450 for parts and labour (I got it cheaper due to a cock-up, but that's a whole other story)

sing out if you want any more info - i took a few pics while she was in bits so they could be helpful

[Colapop]

It seems to me (having no knowledge at all) that it's a connection thing. There had been no loss or gradual dimming of the lights etc. Just dead straight away. Lots of juice in the battery. I'll have a session with the meter tonight and see what turns up...

[MSTRS]

Check the current(s) through the switch block on the right handle bar. A friend of ours in Napier has an RF with intermittent problems caused by corrosion in that block. The one with the On/Off - Starter button.

[Squiggles]

ignition barrel?

[Sully60]

It seems to me (having no knowledge at all) that it's a connection thing. There had been no loss or gradual dimming of the lights etc. Just dead straight away. Lots of juice in the battery. I'll have a session with the meter tonight and see what turns up...

MY suggestion after spending hours working on Number One's bike to get the headlights to work, is check every wiring connector block. Assuming like you said the battery is ok and that this appeared to happen instantly my first port of call would be to get some CRC lectra-Kleen or 2.26 and go through and clean all of these.
The ones on #1's bike looked fine and snapped together postively, all the wires into them were in good condition and each of the terminals were properly located everything had continuity on the meter but I'd say there was just enough dry corrosion to stop current flow.
They are from the same era and manufacturer I don't think it's too much of a leap that it could be the same problem.

[Skunk Control]

I do the dishes!! Jeez!! Ya cook, ya clean, ya do washing... That reminds me - AJ, would you be a dear and make the bed please?

Are you having trouble with wifey, is he not behaving?

[Skunk]

Txt me if you find the issue Col otherwise I'll be there tomorrow (Tues) night.

[riffer]

It's fucked.

I'll take it off your hands for $50.

[hayd3n]

60 +shipping

[cs363]

after spending hours working on Number One's headlights, they looked fine and we snapped together positively!

Sounds like a night well spent Sully! :rofl:

......yes, I was bored :)

[Sully60]

Sounds like a night well spent Sully! :rofl:

......yes, I was bored :)

Mate, that was all before morning tea, let alone what happens at night:devil2:

[cs363]

Mate, that was all before morning tea, let alone what happens at night:devil2:


Such a smoove operator..... :msn-wink:

[ajturbo]

i AM .. the auto electrician Extraordinar

we managed to find the problem...

the first switch box thingy, this had a poor connection... pulled it apart, cleaned it..

and all is good in the col/AJ house yet again..

thanks for the call Skunk!!.. we had just finished putting the fuel tank back on when you phoned....

[riffer]

Good to hear Andy.

Perhaps now you can show him how torrents work?

[ajturbo]

Good to hear Andy.

Perhaps now you can show him how torrents work?
his brain is not THAT big.. his ego is... hahahahha

(wtf is a torrent?)

[Skunk]

his brain is not THAT big.. his ego is... hahahahha

(wtf is a torrent?)
WTF does wtf mean?

[ajturbo]

wtf does wtf mean?
wtf????????????????

[Skunk]

It's OK. I found a torrent...

[Colapop]

Enough of the torrent of abuse!
I notice how much of the diagnostic apears to be WE in other words "Oh AJ you are such a legend bike fixer man!!" (At least in his mind!!)

The reality is that we didn't use a meter or anything technical. We used a light bulb tester consisting of an alligator clip to earth and a light bulb on the other end (simplified.) If the circuit is completed (there's power) the bulb lights up. Simple. Must get me one...

The problem turned out to be a loose connection in the plug to the relay block or 'switch box thingy' (AJ's technical terms) I'll get a replacement plug and redo the connection.

Thanks for all the advice guys. :niceone:

[yod]

it lives!!

[Colapop]

Goes good too!! Especially since just before xmas I put a new chain, sprockets, and oil filter on it. Changed the oil, refurbished the clutch plunger, replaced brake and clutch fluid and bled the system. Also deglazed the brake pads front and rear and gave the calipers a jolly good clean too! Probably why it broke down - wasn't used to being treated so nicely!!