Electrical help

[keithlml]

Hello

I have an R80ST, just rebuilt, painted etc. but have an electrical fault I cannot solve.

Basically "nearly" everything works even without the ignition key in the barrel?

The ignition barrel was never removed from the harness on strip down and even now when key in turned through the 3 stages it still does it's job?

My problem is finding the fault which causes the power to be on without the key. I've done the usual checked back all connections seem correct, I am thinking component failure, but which one? the black art of electrickery has got me beat.

Does anyone out there have a solution or help or can you point me to a good auto electrician in the North East please?

 

[John Armstrong]

Sounds like you've managed to hot wire the bike by mistake

 

[keithlml]

Hot wire

Yeah John

Been through that. I have been through the wiring diagram and set up a number of times now and cannot find the culprit , if that is what it is?

What I mean is, if it is "hot wired" I cannot find where?

Wiring is pretty simple and all connectors colour coded and match up??

keith

 

[wessie]

I assume when you say rebuilt things have been stripped from the frame and reassembled? If that is the case then the most likely cause of the fault is a pinched wire somewhere or abraded insulation. On the R1150 GS model the most likely area for this sort of thing is around the headstock.

As the bike is old, check anywhere the wiring is cable tied or bends as brittle insulation can result in shorts.

 

[nick.ct]

It might be worth checking the ignition switch itself, I think there's more than one type. Are the contacts doing what they are supposed to do in each key position? It's not difficult to remove the switch itself, put it on the bench and just go through the contacts with a meter to see what's what

Nick

 

[Steptoe]

The ignition barrel was never removed from the harness on strip down and even now when key in turned through the 3 stages it still does it's job?

That's your problem. The ST has a 5 stage ignition barrel/key, not the usual 3 stage. .

 

[skywalker]

As Steptoe's pointed out you've got the wrong ignition switch on it
Position 1 - off
Position 2 - parking lights
Position 3 -main ignition
Position 4 -main ignition with side lights
Position 5 -main ignition & headlamps etc

 

[r100/7]

my r100/7 has the same problem with the wiring the last owner hotwire it lol i fitted a new key but i can turn on my lights with out the key but it wont start an less the key is in so i am going to leave it the way it is

 

[keithlml]

Electrical Help

Thanks for the replies lads

My riders handbook R80 g/s which is the same as the st states

0 - Off position key can be removed
Nothing for position 1 but which is the parking light.
2 - Operating position
3 - Operating position with parking light
4 - Operating position with headlight.

Bike is standard and I am pretty sure this is the original ignition barrel.

However as I said it works in all positions, just problem of power to bike without key in.

Yes I have checked the harness jiggled things about and everything worked fine before strip down?

Just need another pair of eyes on it to spot the fault(s) . Any experience of good auto electricians in the North East please?

Keith

 

[theschoning]

had a similar problem with my st last year after someone cut the ignition cables......John Armstrong posted these pictures of the ignition switch & wiring that sorted me out

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166532

regards,

Jonathan.

 

[sockpuppet]

Take the ignition barrel off. If the bike is still powered on start at the fuses and work your way back towards the battery +ve terminal. Between the two there be a problem.