GREMLINS - Intermittent Cut Out and Restart

Thank the KZ GOD's... :laugh:

The supplied connectors for the Dyna are suspect as this type was/is still used on trailers. Nothing like sorting out why the lights are intermittent on the side of the road during rain.

I suggest replacing this connector with a good solder splice and then covering it with heat shrink tubing.

MFolks wrote:

The supplied connectors for the Dyna are suspect as this type was/is still used on trailers. Nothing like sorting out why the lights are intermittent on the side of the road during rain.

I suggest replacing this connector with a good solder splice and then covering it with heat shrink tubing.

OK, will do.

Is there a way to test for fault with the DYNA at this point?

Somewhat kind of hard to say based on one fact alone... INTERMITTENT!

This is a pisser for electricians, electronic technicians and engineers alike... Damn thing could work through all the testing you could throw at it... You think you have it figured out, it happens again... :laugh:

You could run through the static timing procedure and see if your +12Vdc doesn't come on but I'd believe you most likely just be wasting your time...

Now if you had a digital tach, it may be simpler due to my Acewell tach conductor is soldered into coil one pickup... This is how the digital tachs work, count the pulses thus rpm.

When it buggers out on you, your tach should not show RPM...

One thing to keep in mind here.... It's a UN-common failure for both pick ups and coils in your situation to fail... Thus the +12Vdc connection is a good starting point...

Disconnecting and reconnecting all your electrical connections on the electrical panel may be a smart move as well...

Also, insure your frame/engine ground is clean and intact... Not broken, oxidized, rusted etc....

Good luck!

OMR

MentalMike wrote:

...Is there a way to test for fault with the DYNA at this point?

Don't know how to trouble shoot the Dyna-S modules themselves, other than assuring integrity of wiring connections and confirming that voltage is in fact being supplied to the modules (via the splice-in) when the ign swtch is ON. Once, sent one back to the Dyna guys, who graciously replaced it without charge , but it was completely dead (my own stupid fault).

In the case at hand, not suspecting failure of the Dyna-S itself, because don't understand why it would briefly fail intermittently.

With ign swtch OFF, could use ohmmeter to verify continuity thorough the splice while wiggling the splice.

Or with ign swtch ON, could use voltmeter to assure continuous voltage reaching Dyna-S, while wiggling the splice.

Good Fortune!

Old Man Rock wrote:

...Also, insure your frame/engine ground is clean and intact... Not broken, oxidized, rusted etc....

Excellent suggestion.

When the bike totally dies, does the headlight and other electrics also crap out?

If so, this could result from a faulty connection where the negative battery cable attaches to rear of engine. Whereby the electrical system could lose its ground.

If not, problem is more likely within the ignition circuit or in keeping steady power to ign circuit.

Good Fortune!

Hi Mike, also check the connector inline on the Dyna-S red wire. We had one customer have a problem here - the crimping on the terminal pins didn't have a good contact with the wire strands.

Today I went through the bike again disconnecting, checking and cleaning connections and all looked good. Connections at both ends of the fuse box looked good as well as the connection were the Dyna-S meets the harness. The ground and negative terminal looked good too.

The mounting plate for the ignition switch was a little loose but the connection itself was good. At one point I had the bike running and went through wiggling and jiggling everything to see if I could find trouble, but it figures, she didn't show a hint of dying at any time.

Voltage at the coils was just under 13Vdc with the engine off. I didn't remove and splice the DYNA-S connection like was suggested. Even though the connection looked good, I'll do this tomorrow morning just to eliminate the possability of a fault. Right now, it's time for some beers on the back deck!

But I think after I splice the DYNA Connection tomorrow morning, I'll take her for a long ride and see what happens. If I get stranded, I'd rather it happen on a Sunday when I have time than on my way to work sometime next week! Hopefully whatever I did today exorcised the Gremlin :huh: but in the end there's only one way to tell.

Thanks to all for your most excellent advice.

Mike, Intermittant elect. probs are a pain, especially ones which start out as short term, as they don't give much time to locate.. I'm inclined to think your' ignition switch has developed 'contact' probs. if handy, removing the switch base, & cleaning contacts is no big deal, (just be aware depending on switch, contacts will be spring mounted & there may be small ball bearings) before going in, if you can reproduce prob, check for horn operation/check for any other elect.outage. as a failed ign sw in this case would be system wide.. luck G

Is it possible for a battery to have an intermittent internal short?

As known and probably already tested, red/yellow needs continuous power when switch is ON.

[Click on image to enlarge view.]

If the bike totally dies - as in no lights, turn signals etc - then check the connection to the negative battery terminal, And I mean get a screw dirver and make sure it's tight. A loose connection here (which actually looked good)has caused me intermittent sudden death in the past

Also check the ground cable from the battery to the frame. Also see if main fuse is loose or terminals corroded.
Good luck

UPDATE:

Just to share with those who may have similar issues, here's the outcome of this problem.

As bountyhunter had stated was the result of his problem, so was mine.

After going through the entire wiring harness, the cut out happened again twice on the way home from work. So I took apart the ignition switch and, cleaned, applied die electric grease, and re secured the connections. This was last on my to-do list in diagnosing this problem and wouldn't you know it was just waiting for me.

Three more trips to and from work last week plus a 70 mile round trip to my sons baseball game on Saturday and no more problems. The old girl is back to being herself again.

Ye ha, so if you develop a similar problem, check the ignition switch first and save yourself a lot of time.


Thanks all!