No start issue

[Troll]

Check ALL the fuses, including the one hidden in the white box near the battery.

[water buffalo]

Just re-read my post. Just to clarify, I did replace the resistor according to Jo-Bear's instructions. My understanding is that the wire with the resistor is the one that supplies power to the ecu. The main problem is that the wiring diagram shows the ecu seems to get power from several different circuits depending on what sensor it's monitoring. Makes it difficult to track down just where the problem is. I also don't know how to tell where to look since I have no way to look at the self-diagnostic signals without the FI light. I'm real close to having to take it to a shop. A slight blow to my ego, but more importantly, to my wallet.

[chief]

Is there a way for a layman such as myself to test the ecu to find out if it is even working?

The ECU does a self diagnosis...

Always look over in the mods/tips section of the web site to see if there is anything relative to your situation...

Here's the ECU info

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/ECUFaultCodes.html

[Troll]

That resistor issue cost me a new fuel pump. Didn't need it, ordered it, and put it in...still no joy. The resistor is VERY important. It has to be right or the built in anti theft system won't let the pump turn on. I would look at thunder manufacturing's web site and see if the resistor's impedance is listed. I installed a new factory ign. switch, and now use my thunder switch to control the amp for my stereo.

[water buffalo]

....so, I've been reading this thread with great interest since it is dealing with the same problem I've been fighting on my '99 1500. The main difference is that I cannot determine if my ecu is actually the problem. I did find the resistor on my aftermarket ignition switch was broken. I was very excited to find this because I hoped that it was the root cause. ......not. Is there a way for a layman such as myself to test the ecu to find out if it is even working?

Just for background, I was trying to track down what I thought was a problem with the down sensor and foolishly jumped the power feed to the sensor to the signal wire to the ecu. After subsequently reading the manual (...I know, reading should come before doing. D'oh!) I realized that circuit is only supposed to have 4.4v and I fed it 12V. I thought I had fried the ecu and I may have. I found one online for a '00 Nomad. I was a 1071 and the '99 is supposed to be a 1064. Do I need to bite the bullet and pay for a new 1064 or is there a chance that the problem is elsewhere? I've checked all the fuses and they are all intact. The purchase price for a new ecu is a stretch for me right now, let alone having to pay for diagnostic labor so if I can solve it with a little help I would like to try. Not to mention the fact that my wife keeps reminding me how nice the weather has been lately and how we can't go riding.....anybody got any suggestions for specifically where I can start over?

[Troll]

Here's the wiring diagram that was posted, stitched together..now that I look again, maybe it is black and yellow....

[griz01]

OK I am confusing myself so I am going to ask, , Speedo connector pulled apart; If you hook up a DVOM, 1 Lead on the BLK/YEL wire in connector on the bike side, other lead to BAT Ground, Key on , you have no voltage. Correct?

[Elmo Hayride]

I can't seem to post the kaw drawings. I try again later.
Dave

[Troll]

Somebody posted a scan of the wiring diagram for the meter. The wire colors are, apparently not correct...that could make the trouble shooting more interesting.

[griz01]

I must be doing something wrong, the BLK/YEL wire, when I trace it leads to the Neg side of the battery. That should be ground? Looking at the colors of the wires on the speedo head; I do not even see BLK/WHT? My 99 manual does not list any BLK/WHT wires in the diagram? I see 6 wires on the Speedo head, Black & Yellow, Light Blue, Red & Black, Brown & Black, Red & Blue, and White & Yellow. Am I lost here?

[Troll]

According to the color coded wiring diagram, the black/white wire goes to ground, the black/yellow wire is power feed.

[Elmo Hayride]

Oil light doe's go out after starting. You're correct Gritz01, "If the meter is left upside down or sideways for any length of time, it will malfunction". It was stored face up all winter, just got buggy the other day.Dave

[griz01]

Oil light BETTER go off when the engine starts.....Sounds like some kind of short in the meter's P.C. board. The black/white wire is supposed to be the ground....

Isn't the BLK/YEL is the ground? Have you tested the Distance sensor? if bad it your need to replace the entire head but it sure seems that is where the problem is. You said that your had the bike apart. There is a Caution in the Shop Manual that Speedo head must be stored face up, "stored upside down or sideways for any length of time it will malfunction"

[Troll]

Oil light BETTER go off when the engine starts.....Sounds like some kind of short in the meter's P.C. board. The black/white wire is supposed to be the ground....

[Elmo Hayride]

Ok, I seen that one. I reconnected the speedo and taped off the Blk/Yel so I can see how fast I'm going anyway. Odd thing too is the oil light stays on prior to start then goes off when started along with no dash Hi/Lo, Neutral, or Signals indicators & the fuel gauge saying it's full with the low fuel light on. Wonder if I should buy the new speedo gauge and see what works after that?
Dave

[Troll]

Plugs into the clutch m/cyl. If it's disconnected, the bike won't crank...

[Elmo Hayride]

On the bars or at the master?

[chief]

@ draconarmy - There is no cable for the clutch on this one, just hydraulic.

There is a SWITCH there at the clutch which will prevent the bike from starting if not connected properly... that is what he's talking about.

[Elmo Hayride]

@ griz01 - I've been all over the wiring with the ohm meter and visual. The  bike was in pieces just weeks ago from an overhaul, paint, power coat, etc...I made real sure to go over the harness before I put it back on the bike. Sure, with the age (1999) anything can happen. I just think that the bike sat so long (has ~10,000 mi.) that things like this will occur for a period of time until it gets to run more often than sit.
@ draconarmy - There is no cable for the clutch on this one, just hydraulic.
@ DC - Breakers would be nice but like Troll said, the wires would cook every time the breaker would blow and I for one wouldn't be so mindful as to worry about the wire if all I had to do was push a button. Adding fuses however, I have to be diligent in my troubleshooting because the box is running low, lol.
Dave

[DC]

Automotive breakers are self resetting.

Hmmm. . . I wonder why.  Wouldn't that be a safety issue, in risking burning up the electrical system?

[Troll]

Automotive breakers are self resetting.

[DC]

Circuit breakers sound like a good idea, but even H-D abandoned them in favor of fuses. The breaker takes too long to trip, will reset itself and start the wiring overload all over again. Heat is the problem, and breakers never let the wiring cool down between cycles enough to prevent eventual damage. I have a short circuit tester that uses a rapid reset breaker that sends pulses down the wiring. You use an inductive meter to follow the harness to the point the meter stops reading. Theoretically, that's where the short is.....

Why is a breaker resetting itself?   Shouldn't it have to be manually reset?

[griz01]

Yes a question, You have run an Ohm meter on all the wires in to connector to be sure it is not just a wire with the insulation worn off? 15 years is a lot of vibration, wire touching could have abraded.

[Troll]

Circuit breakers sound like a good idea, but even H-D abandoned them in favor of fuses. The breaker takes too long to trip, will reset itself and start the wiring overload all over again. Heat is the problem, and breakers never let the wiring cool down between cycles enough to prevent eventual damage. I have a short circuit tester that uses a rapid reset breaker that sends pulses down the wiring. You use an inductive meter to follow the harness to the point the meter stops reading. Theoretically, that's where the short is.....

[DC]

It's times like these that it would be great to have circuit breakers instead of fuses.