strange electical issue.....

i have a 77 kz650b with a dyna electronic ignition and a strange electrical problem. it happened once before and mysteriously vanished. it has reappeared!

symptoms:

when i was riding the motor started missing slightly and then totally died.

the instrument lights functioned but were dim.

no electric start, but will kick start.

when running dies almost immediately when ridden.

no blown fuses, burned smell, or melted anything.

when same problem occurred earlier i had no instrument lights.

anybody had similar problems or have any suggestions?

thanks!
david

Battery status after this occurs?

I'd suggest checking all heavy gauge battery connections for corrosion and tightness. Look at the ground connection at the engine mounting bolt too.

IMHO, based on the reported symptoms you have been pointed in the right direction.

If you are not successful in finding the fault there is always Bill's one-size-fits all Intermittent Electrical Problem procedure. Use with caution. :laugh:

Troubleshooting An Intermittent Electrical Problem
1.1) Charge your battery if you can. .
1.2 Check your battery health with a hydrometer.
1.3)Be prepared to add distilled water only until all cells are at their proper level or to replace the Battery.
2) Disconnect the Black lead from the (-) Battery terminal... or Red form the (+) Battery terminal, it does not matter which one.
3) Connect one of the following test setups in series with the Battery terminal and lead:
3.1) A 12 V light bulb,
3.2) A 12 V test light,
3.3) A 12 V test buzzer or,
3.4) A 12 V horn... you get the idea.
3.5) Note: Do not use your Multimeter here as it will not work when in the Voltage position and or will be damaged by the relatively high currents present when in the Current position!
4) With the Ignition Switch OFF, go through your harness and wiggle the wires while looking/listening for the test setup to go on/start buzzing.
5) With the Ignition Switch ON, repeat the test except this time looking/listening for the test setup to go off/stop buzzing.
6) Be prepared to open the Ignition switch and check/test for solder joint failure and or circuit board micro breaks (don't ask how I know this ).
7) Be prepared to pull the wires out of the Head Light to test for failures at or near the large grommet (if it’s still there after all these years).
Be prepared to open the harness at or near the Steering Neck to locate failures. This is where wires tend to exhibit fatigue due to repetitive steering movement.
9) Be prepared to open the left and right switch gear assemblies to search for rust and or broken parts. CAUTION: watch out for fling springs, ball bearings and stuff. Do indoors on White sheet (again don't ask ).
10.1) From the Starter Solenoid (Relay) be prepared to follow the heavy gauge wire to the starter while searching for bare wire exposure, especially near bends and grommets (both present and missing).
10.2) In the OEM Fuse Box be prepared to check and or clean the clips that hold the glass type fuses. Contact surfaces on both the clips and fuse body are often high resistance despite the appearances to the contrary (once again, don’t ask).
10.3) In the many OEM Bullet connectors and OEM Multi-pin connectors be prepared to clean or replace any corroded, damaged or missing contacts (OEM replacements are still readily available from suppliers).
11) If you can reproduce the fault symptom, your are pretty much home free. Be prepare to find and repair/replace any internal wire breaks, insulation break downs, exposed wires, rubber grommet failures, etc. Often, shrink tubing will solve the problem temporarily.

Hope this helps. Best of success.
Bill

PS
Could you add your year, model and location to your signature, it helps get the fastest responses... and it's considered real friendly too.
Bill