Topic: 550 key turn does nothing

[exponent]

Went to test something on my 78550 and turning the key does nothing, not the first time this has happened but now I can't figure it out. battery is 13v starter solenoid is 13v, is the barrel busted?

[goodtryer]

check the fuses first. if those are ok, get out your wiring diagram and start tracing voltage with a multimeter. the contacts inside my key switch had loosened up over the years and i had a completely dead bike a couple of months ago. stopped for gas and when i went to start up again, nothing, no lights , no power. found the loose connections after some sleuthing.

[bryanj]

The 78 in uk was notorious for the conector pulling off the switch and the electrica bit failing, at one time you could buy just the electrical part

[exponent]

check the fuses first. if those are ok, get out your wiring diagram and start tracing voltage with a multimeter. the contacts inside my key switch had loosened up over the years and i had a completely dead bike a couple of months ago. stopped for gas and when i went to start up again, nothing, no lights , no power. found the loose connections after some sleuthing.

Fuses all good, the switch inside the key barrel? I'll have to open it up and see. Not getting any voltage when I try to read the connector plug to key barrel either

[exponent]

Here's the switch

[goodtryer]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,61168.msg2155413.html#msg2155413

There's a pic of what I did at the link.

[exponent]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,61168.msg2155413.html#msg2155413

There's a pic of what I did at the link.

Ok, mine are all tight nothing loose on the connector, it might be somewhere else

[goodtryer]

Be sure to clean all of the contacts as you are going through the electrical connections.

I use a brass cleaning brush from a gun cleaning kit for the female bullet connectors and scotchbrite/steel wool/etc to clean the male connectors. Also clean those contacts on the rotating parts.

Don't overdo do it. Just enough to remove the dirt/grime/gunk. Try not to remove any of the metal or finish.

[exponent]

Almost certain it is somewhere else but don't know where, not getting any power on the red wire from the connector that goes into the ignition barrel, getting power in other places I'm checking with red but I can't seem to follow it, any ideas???

[Deltarider]

How about consulting the wire diagram for your specific model? It's in the last pages of the Owner's Manual: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb550/owners_manual/OM55078.pdf. Also, are you aware that of the five fuses, two are just spares? In other words, are you sure a good main 15A fuse is in the right socket?

[Stev-o]

How did you check the fuse?  A visual inspection is not the proper way.

[MauiK3]

+1
Volt ohm meter

[exponent]

How did you check the fuse?  A visual inspection is not the proper way.

Fixed it, was the fuse

[Stev-o]

How did you check the fuse?  A visual inspection is not the proper way.

Fixed it, was the fuse

Gotta love those easy fixes!