Buell you have failed me

[pipedlightningxb12s]

I went to start my buelly up this morning so I do the normal steps: make sure it's in neutral, key on, run switch, and bang started right up. Went inside to grab my gear and I came back out to hear it just die out of know where. Went to restart it and nothing was showing on the dash but the lights were still on and when I pulled the clutch back the neutral like came on. I turned it off again and tried to starting procedure again and this time I heard a small click and all the warning lights blipped on and then back off but my battery volts measure out good. The gauges went a little crazy as well. Then it started right back up ran for a little and I thought mabey I just had a loose ground so I shut it off checked all the grounds and fuses and then tried to start it up and nothinh. Any ideas?

 

[ToneTheMoan]

I am no expert but are the battery terminals tight? and although the grounds are tight i would take off one at a time and really clean the contact points and re tighten. just one suggestion to try again?

 

[Cooter]

I totally agree with Tone. That's exactly what a bad battery connection would do. Check the positive cable at the starter solenoid as well.

Take the terminals off, wire brush them, and re-install. Good luck!

 

[afpreppie04]

+1 to what was said above. Check the other grounding points while you are at it too, not just the terminal ends. I had slightly loose starter mounting bolts causing me trouble when I first got my xb.

 

[ToneTheMoan]

Thanks cooter lets hope its that! i had a negative battery terminal come ever so slightly loose on a kawasaki GT550 and that was totally random little faults all over the place! why at one point i thought it was possessed!! You watch it wont be that now i said all that bollocks! ha ha ha and as cooter said good luck!

 

[rchuff]

If you get it started again check and see with a muti- meter what you have as far as volts at the terminals to.

 

[user_deleted]

things to check:
1-how old is your battery? give it a 6 amp charge for 20 minutes then have it load tested.
2-check cleanliness and tightness of cable to terminal fitment. they must be squeaky clean and tight
3-follow both battery cable ends to their attachment points. are they the same as #2?
4-check the lug/attachment point for the negative battery cable to frame. can crack and cause problems.
5-remove fuse box lid. look at inside of lid. you will see 3 large squares marked START-KEY SWITCH-IGNITION. those are the bikes' relays. remove the one marked start....take it to any local auto parts shop and match it up with something in stock. same as chrylser and ford a/c relays. very common part. match up amp rating embossed on top of it. replace it if more than 7 years old. they're inexpensive.
post back with results please.

 

[pipedlightningxb12s]

Ok here is an update. I had the battery load tested and it came out good. Nothing under 10 amps at load and showing right at 12 amps with no load. I checked ALL the connections and they are in great working order. As for the relays, you can hear them click back and forth so I assume they are also in working order. I did a little experiment though and here is what I did. I unhooked the neutral plug down by the pulley and I then grounded it to the frame. I pulled the clutch back the neutral light came on and the engine light came on and I heard the fuel pump start up. It sounded a little week but nevertheless I tried to start it. All I got was the starter clicking. Then the diode melted lol. I need to get another diode now but any thoughts now?

 

[ToneTheMoan]

My knowledge base isnt that big yet sorry but do you think the diode was part of the problem and was on its way out anyway? mind you not really sure the full extent of what it does ? sorry not much help!