Electrical issues "Solved"

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09 Jun 2012 14:22 - 10 Jun 2012 11:47 #527827 by 5150BOT
Electrical issues "Solved" was created by 5150BOT
Hello everyone Im new here,, I come looking for some advice or suggestions to a problem I have. First off I got 1981 kz1000 ltd its a barn find mostly original with only 7,797 miles on the speedo which I thought was extremly low and I think I know why, I got it started up and running the instatnt I turned the highlight on it died from there this is what I found...

Fuel level sending unit wires are burnt

Hazard lights wont work unless the L or R blinker is selected

High beam blows a fuse instantly if I beef up the fuse and use high beam it makes the engine runcrappy till it just dies.

I have NO rear left or right running lights

Ok so I now have the bike tore apart so I could get at and disect the wiring harness in my mind I keep thinking about the burnt wires but I really can find anything wrong.. I hate to buy a new harness if that isnt it anyone have any ideas? So for today Im going to open up the rear harness to see if there is something wrong in that one I appreciate any help and Thnks
Mike

1981 KZ1000K1 LTD
Last edit: 10 Jun 2012 11:47 by 5150BOT.

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09 Jun 2012 15:46 #527838 by MFolks
Replied by MFolks on topic Electrical issues
Here's the factory shop manual:http://www.kawiworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=99

It's been reported as having problems in downloads, so be aware.


And do this:

Cleaning Motorcycle Electrics

1. Get some of the De-Oxit electrical contact cleaner and figure on spending a good day going from the front of the bike to the back. It’s a plastic safe cleaner/preservative. www.deoxit.com is their website. It can be purchased at most Radio Shack Stores or any electronic supply places. Or use any plastic safe electrical contact cleaner(NOT WD-40 !).

2. On the older Kawasaki's, a majority of electrical connectors are inside the headlight housing requiring removal of the headlight, then the fun begins.

3. Do one set of electrical connectors at a time to avoid mixing up what connects to where. Usually disconnecting, spraying with De-Oxit and reconnecting is about all you'll need.

4. However, when encountering the green crud of corrosion, a brass wire brush may be needed on the pins you can reach. Some 400-600 grit wet and dry sandpaper strips rolled into a tube should reach the male and female pins in the more difficult to clean connectors.

5. Smoker’s pipe cleaners, cotton swabs and wooden toothpicks work as cleaning aids.

6. Really small electrical connectors may require the use of a welders tip cleaning tool assortment.

7. Most pins in the connectors are coated with a thin plating of tin, and others may be nothing more than copper or brass.

8. If moisture is added, the resulting corrosion lowers the voltage/current being carried causing dim lights, slow engine cranking, slow turn signal responce and lower input voltage to the ignition coils resulting in weak spark.

9. The left and right handlebar switch pods will need attention too as they have circuit functions like turn, horn, run/stop, and start. The older Kawasaki’s have reports of the soldered connections crumbling, if your bike has this problem, just ask, as I’ve got a repair procedure for this.

10. Usually a spritz or two with actuation of the switch is about all needed for these switches unless corrosion is detected and then careful disassembly is required.

11. The ignition switch may or may be not sealed to allow spraying the internal contacts. I urge caution if attempting to open this up as springs, and ball bearings may fly out never to be seen again!

12. If your bike has the older style glass tubed fuses, I suggest replacing them as vibration can cause internal failure. AGX is the type used, and most auto parts stores can get them for you, along with boating supply stores.

13. Clean the fuse holder clips, looking for signs of overheating(discolored insulation, signs of melting). I use metal polish on a cotton swab, followed by spraying another clean swab with the De-Oxit and then rubbing the inside of the fuse clip.

14. All battery cables must be clean and tight for maximum current transfer. Check the cables going from the Negative(-) battery terminal/post to the engine mounting bolt

15. Also the one going from the Positive(+) terminal to the starter solenoid and from there to the starter motor.

16. If any battery cable feels ”Crunchy” when flexed, replace it as possible corrosion is inside the insulation. Inspect all heavy duty battery cables and the smaller wire terminations(Bullet Connectors), for failed crimps, and those used in the electrical connectors, as they can fail over time.

17. Each "Bullet Connector" will have to be sprayed to ensure good connectivity, especially the ones going to the energizing coil of the starter solenoid.

18. The alternator output “Bullet Connectors” are usually behind the engine sprocket cover and will need inspecting and cleaning too.

20. The turn signal light sockets will benefit from a spritz from the contact cleaner along with the tail light/brake light socket.

21. Some brake light switches can be sprayed on the actuating rod, with the spray running down inside to the electrical contacts, others may be sealed requiring replacement if the switch is intermittent in operation.

22. Some people put the Di-Electric Grease on cleaned terminations/connectors, I don’t, as I’ve read/heard it can cause problems when it gets hot, actually insulating the connections, so the choice is yours to use or not.

I think I've covered about all of the electrical systems on the bike.........

“I spent a weekend going through every electrical connection and switch on the bike with a little scotchbrite pad and DeOxit - what a difference! Everything was brighter, gauge backlights, indicator lights, turn signals, I was getting a nicer spark, it fired up quicker, etc. Well worth my time. WELL worth it! “

From a forum member at www.kzrider.com

1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

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10 Jun 2012 11:55 - 10 Jun 2012 12:07 #527946 by 5150BOT
Replied by 5150BOT on topic Electrical issues "Solved"
Mfolks :: I exhausted most of that stuff before I came here but it needed to be done anyhow and with that Im happy :woohoo: to say I found the problem :woohoo: it was two pinched wires down behind the module plugs :evil: best I can see is it looks like a factory done thing, that was never fixed or never tried to be fixed the owner said his boy always had trouble with the lights and judging from the lack of miles and condition of the bike, it was prolly just parked and forgot about with only a occasional ride :whistle: who knows but thanks for the tips MFolks.....

I found this by bypassing the fuse direct letting the wire get warm and took some photos with a thermal imaging device it showed the hot wire right to the point where it was pinched and cold it worked like a dream for this

But my troubles arent over yet :( I now have a rough running engine... so im headed over to the engine forum to look and post see ya there :P Thanks again Mike

1981 KZ1000K1 LTD
Last edit: 10 Jun 2012 12:07 by 5150BOT.

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