Any Ideas?

[GarminDave]

Hi All,

my bike refused to start in Hovingham this afternoon.  I'd been riding all day in wet conditions, stopped for lunch, went out and she would not start.

The gear indicator had a '-' showing which usually means the kill switch is in the Not Run position.  But it was in the Run position.

I toggled the kill switch back and forth still nothing.  I hooked up my battery pack in case it was a low voltage thing (had no meter with me to check), nothing.

Oscillating the handle bars back and forth and the 'N' symbol came up in the gear window but still it would not start.

I called the AA on their App.

The main 40A fuse was warm to the touch so I cleaned the spade connectors.  No start.

Then I sprayed copious amounts of WD40 into the kill switch, hey presto it started.

Canceled the AA and rode home with no fuel gauge, speedo, TC warning light, and engine management warning light.  Got home without stopping.  Turned off in my garage and straight back on and it started.

I'm thinking of a new earth harness and main fuse.  Any other ideas of what I should check, BTW I'm not very clued up on motorcycle electrics.

Over to the Forums combined wisdom for ideas.

[Novocastrian]

It's the oscillating the handlebars thing that makes me wonder.  Maybe it is an ignition switch wiring issue (the problem so many have had). The WD 40 in the kill switch COULD have been a red herring.   Only way to be sure is to get right in there and look at the underside of the ignition switch?

[GarminDave]

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

It's the oscillating the handlebars thing that makes me wonder.  Maybe it is an ignition switch wiring issue (the problem so many have had). The WD 40 in the kill switch COULD have been a red herring.   Only way to be sure is to get right in there and look at the underside of the ignition switch?

I did have the wiring recall done.
Newcastle Triumph are having a look see in the morning, assuming I can start it to ride up there.

[Novocastrian]

It's just that others have reported having the check done and the problem of chafed wires  or wires stretched out of the ignition switch still revealed itself later.  Those instances ar recorded in this forum.  Good luck,  anyway.

[GarminDave]

Originally Posted by Novocastrian

It's just that others have reported having the check done and the problem of chafed wires  or wires stretched out of the ignition switch still revealed itself later.  Those instances ar recorded in this forum.  Good luck,  anyway.

I actually had the lot replaced under their recall.  Thanks Ken I’m sure it will be something simple because a lot of the systems are still working.

[Coconut]

Another possibility with similar symptoms, is tight wiring from the right switchcube
around the headstock to the multi-connector on the left side of the fuel tank,
which includes the wires from the Kill Switch.

Wire(s) can get stretched when the handlebars are turned
and pull wires out of the connector, or out of the pins !

[GarminDave]

UPDATE

Typically everything was OK this morning as I rode to Triumph Newcastle except the Engine Warning light was illuminated.  Last evening I liberally sprayed all the handlebar switchgear with WD40.

On arrival at Triumph Newcastle, we noticed the main 40A fuse was melted together because of heat, and the main cable to the starter solenoid was loose at the connection.

For the princely sum of £5.40, I ordered a new cable that incorporates the main fuse, currently out of stock.  I will also clean all the connections and use Dielectric Grease on them.

So I wonder if that solves it or perhaps I should not ride in the rain anymore.

[Coconut]

What Fault Code(s) / DTC's were associated with the Engine Warning Light ( MIL ) ?

The cable you intend replacing may take a while to fit
if it is the one I think it is, as shown in the Photo below,
which will need removal of the Fairings, and Fuel Tank to get at its connections
to the Alternator and an Earth / Ground point on the right side of the bike.

It's an exceptionally good price though for what it is ! ( Sshhh  )



With thanks to Member davidcumbria for this Photo
showing the Alternator location, after removal of the Fuel Tank :



This ( I think ! ) is the Earth / Ground connection I mentioned for this Cable :





Cheers