Electrics

Or lack of them

Went to start the XJ900 yesterday morning (after getting all my gear
on), and nowt, not even a click. Even the digital clock went off.

I checked the battery out and the multi-meter reported about 3Vs.
Thought I had maybe left the parking lights on.

Undid battery, bunged on optimate.

Tonight checked battery, 13V, attached , turned on ignition and clock
died again.

Tested battery, 2Vs.

Disconnect battery 13Vs.

Tried various conbos of removed fuses isolate which circuit the issue is
on, but looks to be the main.

Can/t see any obvious loose connections, so deeper search needed.

However, with it being total loss, as in not a peep when ignition on, is
there any major item I could/should start at ?

Ignition switch ?
Coils ?
Starter ?
Scrapheap ? :-(

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, YTC#1

Battery.

 

Undo -ve connection from battery and brush cable-end against battery
terminal.
If a circuit is taking sufficient current to pull a good battery down to 3V
then there should be an arc.
- If no arc, then it's time for a new battery.
- If arc, report back here.

 

are you sure the battery isn't fucked? It's possible for a battery voltage
to be fine without a load and then die once a current is drawn.

If it's not the battery then my first check would be the starter solenoid.

 

I was driving behind a Land Rover tonight with the reg R1 YTC

 

Even though the optimate reports ok and I can get 13V before connecting ?

 

I'm tired... ok !

 

You didn't notice whether the light switch was on, or not )

How old is the battery?

 

You did check that none of the cells need topping up?

 

Yup. If one or more cells go duff they can go high resistance. So the
battery registers a full voltage, but as soon as any load is put on it the
high internal resistance drops the output voltage down. Seen it several
times on the equipment we service.

--
Malc

Rusted and ropy.
Dog-eared old copy.
Vintage and classic,
or just plain Jurassic:
all words to describe me.

 

took a blunt brush and painted...

If it's drawing enough current to pull a good battery down to 3V then I would
imagine the fuze would explode, and if that didn't happen (due to 6" nailery)
the battery wires would get fucking warm, rapidly.

 

took a blunt brush and painted...

Yes.

I bet if you get a little 21W 12V bulb and connect it across the battery
you'll get a dim glow.

Optimates are good but not god.

 

Most likely a fucked battery unless you see a splash when you connect it.
What happens if you jumplead it to a decent battery.

 

Or you could just connect a terminal to each of Bruce's ears and watch
his eyes for the same effect.

 

The glow would be so dim you'd need WISE to see it.

 

Or hook up a decent battery to the bike and see what happens.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

The way it sits in the garage, very easy to do

About 4 years, but age (IMO) has little to do with it. The XJR battery
is 8 years old

 

Which it was.

Went back in the garage last night, after remembering I still had the
old battery I use for airbeds etc ( always kept topped up). Spent a good
half hour struggling to get battery out (I remember now why I must have
blanked the battery as an option, I need to undo the engine bars to get
it shifted). Connect old battery up, and she fired up 1st time

New one sourced and ordered, so I can get my tyres changd on Sat am now
as planned.

 

*ding* ;-)

 

See other post about what an arse it is to get in and out