GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Electrics => Topic started by: 1AW022 on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, 08:22 PM

Title: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, 08:22 PM
Disappointed today

With so much rain here on the west coast lately... wettest July since 1995 or something... not much chance to ride.. 28 days of rain for the month

Anyway... on one of those non raining days... 2 weeks ago...I managed to get a ride in to work and back
After sitting for 3 weeks.. she fired right up and we were on our way ... no probs

We have 3 days forecast of fine weather... so jumped on this morning... tick tick... flat battery... grrr
Had to drive the car again... sob

Got home tonight with plans to put her on charge... can't find my bloody charger
But I do have one of those Lithium jump packs
Connected... fired right up
Ran for 17 minutes at idle... kicked her into first... and stalled
No chance of a restart
Also... no headlight.... high beam works... but not low

Could the headlight have given up the ghost on that last ride without me noticing... and caused a battery drain ? (wouldn't think so cause it would have had no power to it)
And when charged.... when I find the charger... anything I should be looking for ?
No the FI light did not come on


Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, 08:44 PM
How old your battery? When my last one failed, strange things also.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, 08:51 PM
Check the clutch kill switch and the connectors - they're on the lh perch.  They've been known to suffer if ridden in the rain.  The interlock will stop the engine.   The other one is the side stand switch. Water in them and the bike thinks the stand is still down when you put her in gear.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, 10:28 PM
I've no idea on the battery age... bought the bike in Dec... I think he said it was recent... have to check

Never ridden in the rain... but will check the switchgear once I recharge bat

I have a voltmeter off my old VFR... if I can figure out how to mount it I can check the charging at least
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: Hooli on Thursday, 05 August 2021, 02:07 AM
Headlight is probably just the bulb, but check the fuses (LH side panel) as I think hi & lo have their own fuse.

Agree with the others on sidestand switch, you can also get it if the sidestand pivot is sticky & the stand doesn't fully retract to press the switch properly. I think they display 'CHEC' on the Odo if you put it in gear with the sidestand down.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Thursday, 05 August 2021, 08:12 PM
Bought a new battery charger

I'll crank it up over the weekend and do some checks
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Thursday, 12 August 2021, 08:06 PM
Headlight globe replaced

Battery charged

Starts and runs

But may have charging issue
11.8V while running
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: Hooli on Thursday, 12 August 2021, 10:46 PM
Check the reg/rec & the stator. The procedures are in the workshop manual.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 13 August 2021, 03:02 AM
Quote from: 1AW022 on Thursday, 12 August  2021, 08:06 PM
Headlight globe replaced

Battery charged

Starts and runs

But may have charging issue
11.8V while running


Yep, that'll do it.  Should be 13.2v (or thereabouts) at idle and increase up to 14.5v around 3500rpm.  If there's no charge you're just running on the battery & when that goes flat, the bike stops.  Your original battery was probably ok, just not charging.

If you check the voltage before you start the bike then again whilst it's running & it's lower than at first, there's your problem.  Once turned off, let the battery rest a minute or so & you'll probably see the voltage come up again slightly as it recovers.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: grog on Friday, 13 August 2021, 05:54 PM
Glad you found your prob. Personally id replace stator and reg. No more probs then.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Friday, 13 August 2021, 07:51 PM
Looks like it

But not going to throw more parts at it till I know what I need

I was about to get fork seals, bushes , stem bearings , front wheel brgs and tyres done..... its adding up
Will sort the charging first of course
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: Snapey on Sunday, 15 August 2021, 06:55 AM
I had a similar issue a few years ago so if the problem is your stator then you have an alternative to going genuine. OEM stator 31401-42F00 from Mick Hone $533.00, Generator - Stator [AC4032] from Wemoto $117.98.

The only difference is the rubber piece but I did a tutorial on that here; https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=2827.15
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: grog on Sunday, 15 August 2021, 05:18 PM
Another option is bloke in Brisbane rewinds. $190 inc postage. Listed under recod suppliers by BJ.
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Monday, 16 August 2021, 08:53 PM
Thanks guys

Think I'll give it to someone to sort out
And they can do the service , fork seals,bushes,head brgs, wheel brgs and tyres while they are at it
Title: Re: She let me down...
Post by: 1AW022 on Wednesday, 15 September 2021, 07:55 PM
Well ... she is back from the mech

New front wheel brgs
New Fork seals and bushes
New steering head bearings
New brake pads all round
New tyres x 2 (Angel GT2)
Serviced , filter,oil,plugs
Fluids flushed (brake and clutch)
Checked rear sag


He had it for 3 weeks
Never had the battery out or charged it... I charged it before I gave it to him
He says he started it a few times , test runs etc

When I picked it up... started fine
So now I just don't know about this electrical issue
He claims checked hot and cold... charges at 13.4 volts


Will fit a volt meter and monitor it over the coming weeks... if the rain stops and I get to ride it