New electrical issue

[RoadBlock]

Hey all,
Went for a jaunt to a biker bar with a friend. Just went to leave and the starter had a big hesitation. Tried again and it made all the dash lights go out for a second. Tried again and now just trying the starter kills the dash for what seems around 5 minutes after that the dash will light again but hit start and it kills it again. When the lights are on, the fuel pump works and everything seems normal.

Just replaced the battery and meter shows 12.5 volts. I’ve got power on the other side of the key switch. I’ve got power on the big cables to the starter.

We even tried a push start though I didn’t have high expectations. Couldn’t get the tire to grab to spin the motor.

Now I’m waiting for a tow. Any thoughts or ideas?

99 x1 lightning

 

[RoadBlock]

We’ve checked all the fuses and they seem to be good. It’s very weird - we leave the key on and after some time the dash just lights up again like it’s fine. I can switch the kill rocker on and off and the fuel pump works as it should. But hit the start button and I can just hear the starter relay engage before all the lights shut down again.

Is there some built in circuit breaker somewhere that I can’t find? I have an ECU that says “for race use only” on it, if that makes any difference.

 

[Cooter]

Your battery should show 9.6V while trying to crank over, or it's bad. Or more likely you have a corroded connection at the battery, the main ground, the battery wire at the starter solenoid. You have to remove them to see.

 

[Barrett]

Is there some built in circuit breaker somewhere that I can’t find? I have an ECU that says “for race use only” on it, if that makes any difference.

NO.

My guess faulty battery though you mentioned it's "new"

Perform the following:
Fully charged at rest NOTHING ON voltage across the terminals should be 13.2 DC volts. You don't have that.

Your symptoms point towards a dead cell. Charge the battery with 6 amps for 20 minutes then immediately load test it.

Clean all 4 cable ends....check for tightness...check for perfect connection between negative cable end and grounding point.

PS-Any Buell or XL Sportster or XR1200 will only "bump start" by throwing the clutch away in 3rd or higher gear. Anything lower always drags the tire.

 

[RoadBlock]

Turns out my buddy’s meter needs new batteries. It had some weird readings in other places. Not sure why it was yesterday of all times, but found the issue today. The connection on the ground terminal was very tight, but underneath it was bad. Pulled it apart and there were arc burns between the spacer, nut, and terminal. Pulled apart and cleaned them up with sandpaper and new hardware and it’s firing right up. In all my frustration last night I even forgot to put it on the charger.

Thanks for the thoughts on troubleshooting and the tip on push starting. I was in 1st. It was slightly wet ground with misty weather. My buddy told me after trying the push that I should have been higher gear. He’s an airhead. (Literally lol, bmw guy)

 

[RoadBlock]

Here is the ground terminal with arc burns.

 

[Cooter]

Yep. That would do it but don't let it stop you from checking the rest.