VOODOO ELECTRICS

Motorcycling
1

Hi Guys,

I probably need a priest - not a mechanic but:

Here’s my problem - happens every now and again :blink:

  1. ignition on > clutch in > hit starter > nothing
  2. remove seat, look at battery/wiring etc - more fruitless starting attempts.
  3. Then I remember that when this has happened in the past in desparation I flicked the light switch on
    and off and it started > so I switch on ignition and flick the light switch on and off and hit the ignition>
    still no joy.
  4. More faffing around - I’m stranded in a car park away from home so totally exasperated I flick the light
    switch on/off again while thumbing the starter - voila! she starts!

So naturally I’m wondering WTF is going on with the electrics. Particularly as getting the 7R to turn over in these episodes doesn’t seem to follow on any kind of electrical or mechanical logic but is more akin to a voodoo ritual . . .

Bit of background:

11 year old bike - so connections/switches probably need attention.

Side stand cut out switch doesn’t work - will take a look at it.

Has a non functioning Meta alarm attached - want to remove it at the earliest opportunity as it is drains the battery and is completely pointless - have read the threads on this issue and will tackle removal soon.

If you’ve got this far and can be @rsed to help me out with an opinion/advice on WTF the starting problem was I’d be most grateful. :wink:

2

A real stab in the dark here… But could it be something to do with pulling the clutch in and fouling the flasher button on the front of the left hand switch gear?

3

Thanks for the suggestion - having read the electrical section of the 7r forum it could honestly be 1 out of 20 seemingly unrelated things - including stuff like fouled clutch switches which result in the bike starting with the clutch out (which it is not supposed to do) and not starting with the clutch in (which it is supposed to do) . . . :crazy:

4

Neither of my 7Rs had a clutch cut out that I remember … You sure they have one of those ? It maybe they are prone to faults and quickly removed by previous owners ??

5

Not sure NumNum - there’s a button on the inside of the clutch lever - like a clutch cut out switch - though come to think of it it has started with the clutch out and in gear before - i’ll check :crazy:

6

7r has a clutch switch - other guy on 7r forum has same problem - bike won’t start with clutch in but starts with clutch out due to defective switch - bridging (shorting) the switch is supposed to solve the problem:

http://www.zx-9r.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16160

7

Well I would junk that thing right away … Stupid idea anyways .

8

Right - i’ll bridge it - don’t fancy getting stranded because of something as stupid as that.

Then I’ve got to cut out the poxy immobiliser . . . :ermm:

9

had something similar with the hornet, the engine cut off wires had gone and caused the front light to go off. not you are experiencing but open up the switch gear and take a look

10

Yeah - electrics are a pain - how did you find out that it was the cut out switch causing the problem?

11

everytime i tapped the switchgear the lights would come on. took it to FWR and they confirmed the fault. tbh i could have sorted it myself

12

push the starter button whilst pulling the clutch lever in repetedly. mine has gone twice now. £8 to replace but repetedly pulling the lever in works most of teh time :slight_smile:

13

Thanks - i’ll be testing it out this week and deciding what to do.

Look at the link I posted above - you might want to bridge the switch in order to bypass it.

Some people don’t agree with it because it focks with the ecu (on suzukis it’s tied in with the gear position sensor etc)

14

Christ - it could be for all kinds of reasons - one guy with a zx6r traced the clutch issue to a bad earth on the horn! . . .

15

i would check the hornets wiring - could be related! :hehe:

16

That would be like a case of demonic possession . . . . :smiley: