STRONG smell of gasoline!

[user_deleted]

Ok i bought the nicer filter... the K & N. Before i put the seat back on I was going to warm up the bike and change the oil. The positive point smoked a bit. I figured there was just something on there... i tried again and the screw into the battery got red hot... then melted some of the battery! How in the world am I grounding out!?? I'm hoping one of the wizards on here can call me. I'm no electronics guy amd am fully stressed out over this. I just spent too much $$ on the new Icon Hypersport pants and Hypersport Prime jacket... if i woild have known this was going to happen I wouldn't spend the money. Please ... please help. I'm now grounded as i dont have a truck to be able to get myself to a shop.

Holy Moley
2009 Buell Lightning xb12scg in Hero Blue

just took a glimpse at this saga and let me see if i understand this correctly: you were doing some sort of maintenance work on your XB....and with seat off the battery is smoking/fizzling/melting specifically at the positive terminal? is this correct? if so you need to immediately disconnect both cables or you run the risk of the battery actually exploding. is it installed correctly? all XB batteries install with the positive terminal towards the right side of the bike. the right side being the drive belt side. if so then do this: NEGATIVE CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM NEGATIVE TERMINAL.....attach positive cable to positive terminal. KEY IS TO OFF POSITION. now gently touch the negative cable end to negative terminal. does it spark? do you see arcing or sparking? if so stop there. you have a dead short somewhere and if so both your diode fuse and 30 amp battery fuse should both be popped. post back with results.

 

[HolyMoley]

Cooter, ot looks as though I have upset you somehow in your post. I'm not sure what i said wrong but please forgive whatever that was. I do have a volt meter i just didn't realize what it was called. I didn't expect anyone to find me a truck... I was just typing out of frustration... as in mid freak out ... while in 98 degree heat. All my friends are unavailable to help today. I was just reaching out and hoping it was something super common. Thank you for the numbers to check for. I'll get back with you shortly.

 

[HolyMoley]

Lunatic - yes essentially that's right. I was just changing out the air filter and moving to change the oil. I was starting it up to warm up the bike. Nothing has been moved or changed since I've picked it up. I've ridden it for about 850 moles since I got it. I wanted to get ahead of the maintenance and start doing the easier stuff on mybown. I can wrench... i just hate electronics so I've avoided them my whole life.
I immediately disconnected everything amd removed the battery. When i later put it on a trickle charger everything seems fine with it.
I'm not sure how to chase down somehting that is likely grounding out. I say this because the connections were quite tight and immaculate at the battery. The positive cable is quite a bit thicker than the negative cable (s). It also looks like an older cable.

 

[user_deleted]

Lunatic - yes essentially that's right. I was just changing out the air filter and moving to change the oil. I was starting it up to warm up the bike. Nothing has been moved or changed since I've picked it up. I've ridden it for about 850 moles since I got it. I wanted to get ahead of the maintenance and start doing the easier stuff on mybown. I can wrench... i just hate electronics so I've avoided them my whole life.
I immediately disconnected everything amd removed the battery. When i later put it on a trickle charger everything seems fine with it.
I'm not sure how to chase down somehting that is likely grounding out. I say this because the connections were quite tight and immaculate at the battery. The positive cable is quite a bit thicker than the negative cable (s). It also looks like an older cable.

i am very hesitant to offer up any potential help with your dilemna as what you described.....arcing.....heat produced at the battery sufficient enough to melt the case at the terminal area....are all inherently extremely dangerous situations best left to the pros. if the bike were in MY shop i would start with removing both cables, all fuses, all 3 relays.....THEN AND ONLY THEN connecting both cables to battery terminals. problem now gone? i would stop there....remove negative cable and pin a meter inline set to DC AMPS....check for current draw or short.....if none found then reconnect and replace each fuse and relay till the problem resurfaces. when it does that is the faulty circuit. this procedure is tedious, time-consuming and exacting in detail but then again it should be as your problem is potentially terminal to the well-being of your bike. ALL THESE STEPS performed after checking the very basics which is a grounded positive cable.

 

[Cooter]

I'm not mad?

You didn't know what a voltmeter was so I listed the steps how to diagnose as clearly as I could. Now you have a meter. Good.

Listen to Lunatic. He's a very smart guy and knows Buells better than I do. even though he smells a bit funny

 

[Outlaw]

This could also be as simple as a loose positive terminal.

 

[Cooter]

Yes. post #14.

 

[Outlaw]

 

[HolyMoley]

You guys have been a God-send! I have a couple of buddies who are helping me over the next few days. One of them just helped another gjy with the same issue on a Sportster. I'm using this thread as Scripture.

Sorry for posting in a panic. Mayne I'm too emotionally tied to this motorcycle. Next time I'll wait a few before posting. I'm not actually as needy or nuts as the above looks.

Thanks to Lunatic, Cooter, and Outlaw for your help. I'll be chiming in with progress.

Calmed down,
HolyMoley

 

[Cooter]

Seriously, no worries man. Please post here with whatever happens. I'll chime in if i can help, but in the meantime I'm getting the popcorn.

 

[HolyMoley]

Ok... Lunatic and Cooper were right on their original diagnosis... back on the 1st problem... for real... get ready to make fun...
I replaced the battery and all problems are gone. * Smacks my head*
My wife will hear the story told much bigger ... 8) but it was just the loose posts.

The rubber strap that holds the battery down had broken. The screws were wiggling loose little by little.

Welp... I guess I'll post all this footage anyway. Thanks team BuellXB.com

Holy Moley
Aka Messy Jolay

 

[HolyMoley]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MySGO3r4b9k

 

[blakecold1]

Hope the issie gets fixed soon, doesn't sound alot of fun having to smell gas all the time! I'm really thinking about buying one of these cars but I'm not too sure where to go with it though, what are the common issues with the car (if any) or is there a part that needs regular maintinace? went Servicing Stop with my car the other day and spoke to them and they gave me abit more of an insight on these cars (they know me, been using them for years) but need abit more help.

 

[rchuff]

Now we know why your handle is HolyMoley! :applause:

 

[Chicknstripn]

Hope the issie gets fixed soon, doesn't sound alot of fun having to smell gas all the time! I'm really thinking about buying one of these cars but I'm not too sure where to go with it though, what are the common issues with the car (if any) or is there a part that needs regular maintinace? went Servicing Stop with my car the other day and spoke to them and they gave me abit more of an insight on these cars (they know me, been using them for years) but need abit more help.

This first post takes the cake!

You sir, win the prize for the most confused new member of Buellxb!

 

[ToneTheMoan]

^^^ Maybe he wants to service your car! Lol :indecisiveness:

 

[Cjdesign]

Then call a mechanic and take your bike to a shop.

Good luck man:upset:

lol.

 

[Cjdesign]

Post 14. x2.

 

[Outlaw]

I'm at a loss . Not sure what is going on with this thread.

 

[rchuff]

That makes a couple of us.