my "new" 1981 GL1100 just quit, I can't find a blown fuse and battery still charged.

[chrisbags]

Hey Y'all. So last week I was able to acquire a rebuilt 81 1100. I was riding it home when it totally shut down on me. No power in any key position, so naturally I started checking fuses. It has a six fuse glass tube type fuse block, none of them are blown. When I went to disconnect the battery the starter motor kicked on and cranked until I got it unplugged. I am going to go after it with some fresh wire and clean up all the connections this coming weekend, but does anyone have any good ideas where to start looking? The way it happened it seems like it's one connection that crapped out, and I can't seem to find the second wire that should be wired to the fuse block. I know this is vague, but the one second it was running like a champ, the next it was dead and I figure it has to be electrical and probably a bad connection or short.

 

[AApple]

Kinda sounds like there is a problem with the starter solenoid, if it continues to crank like that. Could also be the start switch on the handlebar. Going completely dead like that usually turns out to be a bad main fuse("dogbone"), located right there on the starter solenoid block...just a thin, flimsy piece of flat metal. It's always recommended to replace that turd with an in-line, 30 amp fuse. Mine was doing the same thing, except for the cranking all the time thing. It would just die...completely dead, no power to anything. Turned out to be the main fuse. I replaced it with the in-line set-up, and have not had that problem since.
Might be some pics around here somewhere....

View media item 2836Don't know if you will have access to this pic yet...if not, I'll load it a different way so you can.

 

[chrisbags]

Hey thanks Joel! I can't see the pic you posted but I suspected a main fuse issue since the same thing once killed my cb750 and it took me 3 weeks to get to the main, at which time it took exactly 5 seconds to swap it out and feel like a total dummy. If I read you right the main fuse is right there on the solenoid body? (down next to the battery). I have rewired a few main fuses to take a spade/blade fuse before on a couple of my friends old bikes so I'll do the same to this baby and hope she comes back to life. She runs so strong I was immediately in love. That 1100 mill is sweet.

If it turns out to not be the main fuse once I get it rewired I'll let you know. The bike is mechanically great but the wiring needs some major reorganization to say the least. I was going to tackle it connector by connector on the harness but if this turns into a wild goose chase I'll probably start doing continuity tests from the battery on back until the problem can be eliminated.

Thanks man!

 

[slabghost]

Yes solenoid has stuck internally and the main fuse or lost ground are the main cause of "no power anywhere". I expect you may have it fixed by the time you read this. Joel got you in the right place I think.

 

[Anonymous]

Let us know how you make out - my money is on the keyswitch. Seen far too many of them go just like that.

 

[wilcoy02]

I was having shut down problem also this spring. I went through erverything and started blowing the main fuse. Turned out to be rust. The cigarette lighter was totally corroded. Cut the wire to it and no problem since. So while you are checking things look for any rust.

 

[jpwinger]

Same thing hapened to my 77 years ago. Just went dead as I pulled in driveway couldn't have hapened in a better place, it was the key switch. But I have had the main dogbone go too they get old and just go. Sounds like you have two problems at once. Jerry

 

[Sidewinder]

Likely the main fuse, key switch or kill switch. Kill switch corrosion can cause all sorts of weird stuff. Replace that dog bone fuse with a decent fuse block because those things can get hairline cracks not visible to the normal eye and run ya nuts.