Electrical problem with my ZL 750

[Blagadán]

This could be the first of many posts so bear with me guys. I dragged the bike out of hibernation a couple of weeks ago.
The original battery still had charge and was connected to a solar panel trickle charger for ages but when the battery was connected to the bike it would drain within a week if not connected to the trickle charger.
Bought a brand new battery yesterday and on fitting it this evening, i noticed as i connected the negative terminal, there were faint little sparks. Now, I had the keys out of the ignition so there should be no electrical contact I would assume, no alarms or anything that would be drawing current. After a while, just by chance, i noticed the tail light bulbs were faintly glowing, (had the tail light lens off) there was only barely enough current to cause the filament in the bulbs to glow slightly orange. I pulled all of the fuses and the glowing stopped, put back in the main fuse only, glowing started again. This intrigued me so I turned off the lights in the workshop and noticed the green neutral light and the red oil light were faintly glowing too! So, I dont even know where to start, electrical problems never being my fortee. I shot some light easing oil into the ignition switch thinking there might be something not right in there, but it still has the symptoms. Has anyone come across this problem before? Bad earth? Ignition contact problems? Any suggestions... thanks,

Blag

[RUFF]

:scratch: HEY MATEY
SOUNDS LIKE A BAD EARTH, HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WHEN CHANGING FRONT INDICATORS TO A SET OF MINI'S.
FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE EARTH FROM THE INDICATORS NEEDED TO BE EARTHED THRUOGH THE LOOM NOT TO THE BIKES METALWORK.
SO BACK TO YOUR PROB......
1. A BAD EARTH SOMEWHERE ( not much help there )
2. CORROSION ( on your connection )
3. DAMP /MOISTURE
HOPE THESE HELP
:detective:
RUFF

[zlMark]

:yeahthat:

Welcome Blag. I'll take a look at the wiring diagrahm later to see if there's any place in particular you could look. I would start by cleaning and greasing all connections with silicone grease.

[Kawasaki-krazy]

This sounds like a 'damp' problem to me. Damp and dirt make a pretty effective conductor.
I would start by disconnecting chunks of the wiring loom. Start in the headlight where all the connections to the lights and ignition are. It is possible to dismantle the ignition switch and I think that is the one I would disconnect first. The rear lights that are glowing are probably the side lights and not the brake lights, so it would point to the front end of the bike not the back.

It will be a pain to locate but by disconnecting sections at a time, you can narrow it down pretty quickly, but make sure you work methodically, not just disconnecting everything at the same time. Each time you try something, check for the fault again, so that you know which bit actually cured it.

Don't forget to post your findings as it could help somebody else with the same/similar problem.

KK

[Blagadán]

I dont need a wiring diagram........
I dont even need a multi meter..........
What I need is a labotomy.

I started at the front of the bike as suggested. took off the lamp and cleaned all the connections in the lamp bucket. No good. Cleaned the ignition terminals... No good. Worked my way back along the bike disconnecting as many connector blocks, cleaning with ipa alcohol and blowing out with compressed air and re connecting as I went. NO GOOD. I did a few other things with similar results before I noticed the battery begin to loose power. So i was about to give and remove the batt and put it back on charge when........
I noticed the problem.
I really am stupid, i wont take any other reason for it.
I had, in my haste to get working on the bike, put the battery into the battery compartment the wrong way around, not paying attention to polarity... connecting negative lug on the battery to the posative wire and Posative lug to negative wire....
Well At least I know the diodes are doing their job!
So, i took the batt out, put it back on charge for a bit and 30 mins later put it back in THE RIGHT WAY, and whaddya know...... no problems, everything works as it should.
I have the cleanest wire terminals going as a result of this but thank god no harm done. I only wish I had my starter motor back, I'd love to give it a whirl to see if she fires up.... back to the polishing and cleaning...
As stupid as i feel I am also delighted it was a simple fix... erm....

Blag

[zlMark]

I was just thinking about when i crossed up 2 wires in my headlight bucket how screwy everthing acted. Then i read your findings. Glad you found it! Thanks for posting the fix.

[Kawasaki-krazy]

Sorry for misleading but...................I certainly wouldn't have thought you could!!!!!!!
I didn't think the leads would be long enough to reach with the battery in the wrong way round. (not that I've ever tried it)

Just goes to show.............learn something new every day

Glad you got it fixed

Thanks for posting the solution

KK

[RUFF]

:groupcheers:

:downtown: AND THE WALLY OF THE WEEK AWARD GOES TO................................................ ...( DRUM ROLL PLEASE )........................................ BLAGADAIN :wav:


RUFF :thumbup:

[Southernstyle]

All jokes aside, glad you got it fixed and there were no fire engines involved. :rotf: Thanks for posting the results!
Later,
SS