Topic: CB550 wiring - no power

[tccb550]

Hi all,
I continue to reassemble my cb550f and have hit a issue with the wiring I didn't expect.
I am putting back the original wiring harness and all the connections are pretty straight forward. The problem is after connecting everything I don't have any power. I am guessing my ignition switch is bad. The reason I am taking this un-educated guess is I tested the connection at the switch. I have power on the red/black, but no power on white/brown-brown when the switch is in position 1.
Can someone try to educate me on how to determine if this is indeed the switch. Is there anyway to bypass the switch to know for sure?
I really don't have any experience with electrical at all so any help on troubleshooting / fixing this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[tccb550]

So I followed this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60442.0 to bypass the ignition and I have lights on my indicator gage. Can I now assume my ignition switch is bad, and should my other controls work, like blinkers, starter etc? because they don't.

Sorry for the stupid questions but I don't have a clue.

[Sprocket75]

Hmmm... Sounds like you might be correct. If you indeed have power on the red and black, but none on the UTIL wires... You are turning the key all the way over, correct? Check the solder joints inside of the switch. Be sure to check the fuses in the fuse panel (guilty of that myself!  )  Also, check for continuity using the diode setting on your multimeter. If all else fails, then a new switch is less than $20 online.

[tccb550]

Update: Can you tell me if I was successful with bypassing the ignition shouldn't the starter button work? I'm not able to turn over the bike, and I don't have lights.

[Sprocket75]

Hmmm...check inside of the headlight bucket to verify that the wiring is A.) correct and B.) that nothing has become disconnected. It is very easy to accidentally bump/pull/disconnect the old bullet connectors. Technically, yes, the starter button should work if you bypassed the ignition switch. Have you checked the battery voltage? Also, check the starter solenoid (magnetic switch) for power/trigger. The best way I have found to troubleshoot electrical problems, is to isolate each component and test individually...like process of elimination.