Electrical Problems...

[adzmitch]

Not just one problem, here goes...

Bike is a 1991 CBR400RR NC29

1) First problem I had was the fuse for the headlights were blowing when using high beam, so just stopped using high beam altogether cause I couldn't figure out the problem.

2) Second problem I had was the ignition barrel stopped working after putting on a new horn, been using 2 wires and a fuse out of the block that connects to the ignition to start it. Also now can't figure out which replacement ignition barrel I need, as the ones on ebay say 6 wires, and have 2 plastic plugs, where mine only has the 1 plastic plug... very confusing.

3) My most recent problem is I went out to start it one day last week, and the battery was completely flat, I bumped it and it was fine, charged the battery back up enough to start from the button, but after a week the battery no longer charges enough and I have to bump it everywhere...

Any help would be much appreciated, and I'll try to answer any questions you may have to help me help you help me lol

Cheers
Adam

[GF Racing]

New correct ignition barrels in stock with 2 keys - £38 inc VAT.

UK delivery - £4. Paypal is fine as per email below.

Give me a call sometimne and I will try to help.

[Freekazoid]

ok the fact that wen u bumped the bike it was able to start makes me think that u should chek the main negative, where it joins on the battery & where it joins on the chasis. make sure it is a tight & corosion free contact also wen doing that make sure the positive is disconected, ended up damaging my rectifier on my car wen i didn't remove the positive, the reason that ur fuse is goin on the high beam is because ur drawing to much current, possibly because u have incorrect bulbs or fuse?? or because there is a short. the barrel not sure.

[Freekazoid]

ok the fact that wen u bumped the bike it was able to start makes me think that u should chek the main negative, where it joins on the battery & where it joins on the chasis. make sure it is a tight & corosion free contact also wen doing that make sure the positive is disconected, ended up damaging my rectifier on my car wen i didn't remove the positive, the reason that ur fuse is goin on the high beam is because ur drawing to much current, possibly because u have incorrect bulbs or fuse?? or because there is a short. the barrel not sure.

[wullvfr]

problem 3

you will need to do a few simple checks to determine what is causing the battery to go dead.......

to do the checks you will need to get a multimeter.....

check what the charge rate is at the battery whilst the bike is @5000rpm.....it should be between 13.5-15volts

if the chrarge rate is too low then when you use your lights etc the battery is probably draining faster than it is getting charged(this is what happened to me)....this usually indicates a faulty alternator.

if there is no charge rate,meaning the volts actually drop when you rev the bike....this normally indicates a dud reg/rec.

but for the last two further tests can be done but this is a good start


william

[missinNZ]

ive had the same problem with the battery issue and from reading it was to do with the bulbs, they continue to drain power when switched off, and will eventually ruin your rectifier. wulvfr was a big help with the numbers (ty). be careful cos as as it fries the reg rec your battery may get a sizzling aswell as it will pump too much voltage on a decent ride (i ended up with sulphuric smoke coming out of my seat!!!)

[adzmitch]

So basically a good idea would be new (correct) bulbs, new Reg/Rec, and a new battery?
Or take it to a garage to make sure those are the problems?

[wullvfr]

first thing i would do is get a multimeter....

some simple checks with the multimeter can save you a load of cash#



william

[missinNZ]

yep as wulvfr says check before replacing and if you walk into a garage and say "hey, yeah ive got this problem ....i think its the reg rec and battery", they ll take your bike and tell you its exactly that and charge you. STUNG.

[adzmitch]

Just wanted to say thanks to Graeme France for sorting me out with a new Ignition Barrel, soon as I fit this and the new headlight bulbs (the right ones) I can start to figure out my problem, and I'll let everyone know what happens, for future reference!

Cheers
Adam