Topic: Bike died on the way to work

[kvallelunga]

Just cruising along, my 750F3 just stalled. No oil light, no power period. I checked the main fuse, it visually checks ok. Any particular area I should be looking at for problems?

Ignition switch?

I washed it yesterday, any typical problems with water in any of the systems?

I didn't look at it when I took it home, it started to rain so I just left it alone. No history of electrical issues, the wiring has never been altered or cut, looks as good as when new.

[Bob Wessner]

Sometimes the fuse may "look" good but is not. Try another new fuse just to be sure. When you washed it, did you use a pressure washer? If so, you may have driven some water in places it shouldn't ever get to.

[bluecap24]

Maybe check battery cables or maybe the battery just quit.  Sometimes motorcycle batteries break inside and with no juice the points don't work. 

[Gordon]

Do the F's have the type of ignition switch with the plug in the back?  If so, make sure it hasn't come loose. 

[kvallelunga]

No to the power washer. I didn't have a spare fuse, I maybe should have used one of the others just to check for a connection. Battery connections are tight, checked all I could roadside. F's have most of the controls inside the headlight, the connection for the switch is also there. I'm going to have to dig into it tonight.

[Gordon]

I'm not talking about where the ignition switch wires hook into the rest of the wiring harness.  I'm talking about the plastic plug that hooks into the back/bottom of the ignition switch itself.  These sometimes come loose. 

[mmtsquid]

I had an identical problem - fuse WAS good - but the clip that held it in place had corroded in tow on the back of the fuse box (where it is soldered to the wire), causing it not to work.
If this is the case, do a search for the blade fuse mod - $5 in parts, a lifetime of knowing that it weill NEVER happen again!

[Wayne Meuir]

F3 connection to the ignition switch is a plug on the bottom of the switch itself and have been know to be problematic.  Water can get in there very easily.  Plug is known to break or come loose as well. It is at least worth checking even though it is kind of a PITA to get to.

Wayne

[kvallelunga]

Thanks Wayne/mmtsquid/Gordon, that's the type of thing I'm looking for.
Best to remove the headlight to get to the plug?

[Gordon]

Best to remove the headlight to get to the plug?

Don't think you should have to.  Just reach your hand up in there from the bottom and push/wiggle the connector. 

[old76cr]

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this but I spent a 1/2 hour in a Honda dealer parking lot wiggling the back of my ignition switch of my k5 after a no power,intermittent oil/neutral light surprise. After pulling off the tank and checking for chaffed wiring I pulled the rubber off the back of the switch to find a couple of corroded wires which my wiggling had finished off. After calling my daughter to search for an old spare switch in the shed and bring it over, I spliced it into my square plug and was on my way... So..... Check the back of your switch for corrosion today!  Funny thing was ,with all the shop employees and customers going by the only guy that asked me if I needed a hand was an older guy (OK  60ish) on a cruiser. I Thanked him and said I would have done the same for him. Sure not like the old days.

[kvallelunga]

All is well.

Bad fuse. The element is intact, it must be broken at the cap on the inside. Popped a new one in and fired right up. Rode to work today and ran perfectly. Thanks all for the tips. I did also check the switch connection, excellent condition.