Hitchcocks Forum

Hello


 


Yesterday I tried to start my 2008 Electra X for the first time in ten days. I always kick start it from cold as I enjoy the challenge and don't like to put too much of a load on the batttery. On turning on the ignition I note that there is no neutral light or deflection of the ammeter. I check the cut-out switch which is on and I know that the gearbox is in neutral as I have just pushed the bike into position. The prop stand is rarely used and hasn't been in the down position for some weeks.


Searching further I find that the battery is in good condition with 13+ volts, the terminals clean and tight and the two fuses on the battery strap are in working order. However I did find that the two heavy duty terminals on the starter relay where somewhat loose and I cleaned and regreased these before tightening them. Much to my disappointment the no voltage symptoms are still present and I am at a loss to know where to begin looking next. I have removed the seat to check for a fuse that some models had hidden under there but none could be found. All connectors have been parted, lubricated with WD40 and refastened.


I have been the sole owner of this bike from new and there are approximately 3,800 miles on the clock. We have a number of motorcycles repair businesses here in Frome, Somerset, but I lack the means of getting the bike to them.


In view of the loose terminals on the starter relay would this be the best possible place to look for a failed component?


 Kind regards to all


 


Osmerus

Have a look in the headlamp nacelle and check if the block connectors are tightly clipped together. Some years ago, after lubricating the speedo cable from the top end, I got no meter deflection and it was hust a loose connector. If the two halves dont lach, this can happen. Cheers

It would be worth disconnecting the sidestand isolator (green wire beside battery if I remember correctly), just in case.


Maybe change into gear and back to neutral to see if the light comes on.  I have had a few instances when my ElectraX has been left at a show, or public space and when I've come back - no ignition/neutral light, and I have a little panic, but it's presumably been someone knocking the gear lever.  Changing into gear and back has brought the light back on..... 

  Osmerus,


       Sounds like it could be the ignition switch. Wiggle the key and see if the ignition flickers. The switches are a bit dodgy

Osmerus
Do you have points on the Electra X? Forgive my ignorance, but mine's a Classic iron barrel.

I had exactly the same symptoms two weeks ago, and it turned out to be faulty points. However you really need to get yourself an AVO or test light and trace the ignition circuit through from the switch to find out where things are going wrong. Do other electrickery things (lights, horn etc.) still work? If so, you can be more or less sure that the problem lies with the ignition circuit. Patience and logic will get you there in the end...trust me.

Cheers

TimG

Hi Osmerus,


I had the same problem the other day. As a temporary measure unclip the connector block at the bottom of the ignition switch and clean both sets of connectors. If this lights the neutral light fine. If the neutral light flickers its a case of a new ignition switch. Mine is on order.


Cheers,


Steve M

Hi there matey --------- I went out to an iron barrel Classic 500 which had intermittant  loss of all it's electrics. Turned out to be one of the securing nuts on the back of the ammeter had become loose. Removed battery earth----disconnect ammeter nut,washer etc----good scrub with rough production paper (emery leaves a sort of greasy film)---- petroleum jelly---rebuild and connect battery last. BINGO !! I'm not well versed with the Electra but as you have an ammeter it's worth a look. 

Hi OsmerusDo you have any electrics at all. If none it may be the same problem I had on my ’65 a couple of days ago.  Absolutely no electrics anywhere, did the same checks as you also tried testing inside the headlamp shell wiggled all connectors etc. to no avail.    While taking the battery out it slipped from my hand and it was hanging on the side of the bike by only one terminal wire – the ring connecter to the negative terminal had just parted. It was a fracture inside the insulation of the connecter so it could not be seen. Looking at the break afterwards I could see corrosion across most of the break so obviously it had been on the way out for some time. Soldered a new connecter onto the neg. wire and away I went. If you have any electrics at all please disregard this missive.Regards Fred

Hello all forum members.


I just wanted to thank everyone for their friendly welcome and advice and update the forum with the progress I have made.

I have been through all the connections in the headlamp, battery compartment and under the seat, unplugging the connectors, cleaning and applying WD40 before reconnecting. The situation is that now I have, headlights, sidelights, horn, trafficators, tail-light and brake light. I also have ignition which means I can kick start the machine but I still do not have a neutral warning light or an electric starter. If I pull the clutch lever in I get a rapid rythmic clicking sound from the Starter Relay when I depress the starter button. I had already tightened the loose connectors on this unit and applied some grease to prevent corrosion when I found that they were loose at the onset of this problem. The noise is similar to a car starter solenoid which has failed or failing.

I have cleaned and greased the prop stand switch even though I was certain that this component is probably OK. Could the Neutral Detecting Switch be at fault or is it The Starter Relay? Any opinions would be welcome.



Kind regards

I've had three starter relays on my Electra...


Last one to go was carefully examined and I found evidence of water getting inside. I liberally covered the thing with RTV and it has performed faultlessly for many years now.