Dead Battery problem

[greenbarn]

That's what we call job security

Yes Indeed...  There are times I've considered writing a book......

[greenbarn]

Was it a wrangler? If so the door switch would be really hard to screw up. They're not near any other plugs.

For Wranglers at least, they get disconnected mostly for the doors. If you take the doors off and don't disconnect the switch you get buzzers galore and if you have a hard top with a dome light, it'll be on too. Mine are disconnected, and have been for probably a few years.

Yes, it was actually a mid-late 90's wrangler, if I remember correctly.  I can't remember for the life of me what he plugged into which - seems like there was a diagnostic plug or something like that over near the left kick panel near to were the driver's door switch is - he either plugged the diag. plug into the door switch (shorting the wires)  or the door switch pigtail into diag. plug, .....  Can't really remember, just that the ECM was F R I E D ...     Then again, it could have been the cross connections on the jumper cables that did it.... who knows....

[Troll]

That's what we call job security

[gdrudd13]

Was it a wrangler? If so the door switch would be really hard to screw up. They're not near any other plugs.

For Wranglers at least, they get disconnected mostly for the doors. If you take the doors off and don't disconnect the switch you get buzzers galore and if you have a hard top with a dome light, it'll be on too. Mine are disconnected, and have been for probably a few years.

[greenbarn]

Talk about a costly mistake!!

Reminds me of the other guy, who brought his wife's Jeep in because it wouldn't start.  This all started when he tried his own wiring repair on the radio.   I'm not sure of the EXACT order of these events, but this is how we pieced together the puzzle trying to get this to run.   True story:

--Customer used a handfull of non-insulated crimp-type connectors to attempt a radio wiring repair.
--then bundled the connectors together, using electrical tape
--un-insulated connectors shorted together
--shorted wires fried the radio
--During the process of this repair job, he ran the battery down
--crossed wires on the battery charger/jumper cables -  blowing the main fuse in the fusebox
--Also during the course of this repair, had door switch (for the dome light) unhooked to keep dome light off (presumably)
--hooked wiring to said dome light up to the wrong plug (can't remember exactly where, I think it was the data link connector)
--this cross-wiring shorted 12 V to ECM
--Fried said ECM
--wife said he was no longer allowed to do any wiring.......

[49Reo]

Talk about a costly mistake!!

[greenbarn]

Never heard that one before! I don't imagine the battery cared much for it either....

Come to think of it, Now that you mention it, I believe it ruined the battery AND the alternator as well....

[jmbo]

Not only won't the alternator charge a dead battery but it will not sustain running the bike on its own without at least some charge in the battery.

[49Reo]

Never heard that one before! I don't imagine the battery cared much for it either....

[greenbarn]

By the same token...  Never try to jump start your car, truck, bike, or tractor with a live extension cord (yes 120V AC).  Actually had a customer that tried that.  Didn't work out so well....     New computer....

[Troll]

Glad to hear it. Remember this: An alternator is NOT designed to charge a dead battery. It MAINTAINS a charge, and can replenish a charge under normal circumstances. The Alt. in your car is just the same. If you call on it to charge a completely dead battery, it will over heat the rectifier and destroy the unit. NEVER DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE ON A RUNNING VEHICLE. Doing that will send a voltage spike into the alternator that will destroy it...

[Phil]

Worked like a charm thanks again

[Phil]

Thanks charging it now

[Troll]

Charge the battery for at least 1 hour at about 2 A. ...you have no base charge in the battery, just a small surface charge.

[Phil]

Went to start my bike this morning I had left the key in the ignition over the weekend and it was dead no juice at all (I know stupid). My problem is now when I jump it the bike starts right up but as soon as I unhook the battery the bike dies again and I have to go through the same process. Would anyone know what could be causing this or experienced anything similar?

I have a drifter 800 battery is less than a year old... I am not that experienced working on bikes but am willing to give minor repairs a shot as money is tight..