Dead Electrics

[Andy FZS]

Ok so I started my bike up this afternoon everything working ok, then it was just as if I'd turned it off, the engine stopped and the lights went out. The only thing that worked was the hazard lights with ignition on or in park position , the indicators in the on position and the parking lights in the parking ignition switch position. After twiddling everything worked again for about two minutes and then the fault returned as before.
Currently I have a supply to the fuses under the seat that goes on and off with the ignition switch, all lights ,horn, starter etc don't work except the indicators/ hazards work as they should. I had to call it a day earlier and I'm going to resume tomorrow. So has anyone had this before and if so what was it?

Cheers
Andy

[Falcon 269]

Dirty ignition switch is a good place to start.  Flush out all the gunk in there with WD-40.  Hold a rag underneath and drench it. 

[Andy FZS]

I'll give it a look but I think if the switch supply to the fuses is working then the ignition switch is ok. I'll print out the drawing in a3 today and hope it's big enough to be able to read.
Cheers
Andy

[Falcon 269]

Just saying that a lot of electrical problems of the sort you describe turn out to be dirty ignition switches.  May not seem logical but always worth going that way first.

[Andy FZS]

Yes I know what you mean start with the basic things and don't dive in. I  give the switch a soak when I get home sadly work is getting in the way this morning. But I now have a few a3 drawings printed out.
Cheers

[Andy FZS]

Looking at the drawings you may be correct with the switch as nothing else stands out as being a probable. When I measured 12v at the fuses it was with them removed and hence no load/current flowing but under load a high resistance in the switch could give a big volt drop at the devices. So wd40 to death is on the cards once I get home.

[Andy FZS]

Ok checked ignition switch again all ok, it turned out to be one of the red plug and sockets under the tank. So all is good again. ☺

[Falcon 269]

Good, glad that was sorted with minimal head-scratching required.

Was it corrosion on the contacts inside the plug?

[Andy FZS]

The contacts had a slight tarnish on them and also felt quite loose, so I tightened the troublesome ones and gave them all a good spray of wd40 to keep corrosion at bay. Looks like maybe I should give all the connections abit of a nip with some pliers, once the tank is off AGAIN it will only take 5min. Anyway thanks for your comments.
Andy