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Technical Help Forum
Started by TrueAltitude at 07-25-2008 5:42 PM. Topic has 12 replies.
  
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 07-25-2008, 5:42 PM
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TrueAltitude
 
Joined on 07-25-2008
Posts 5
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Hey everyone, I have just recently had a problem with my 1979 Custom, and I thought I would ask you guys for some help. I have been driving the bike around town, usually just 5 mile round trips, and everything was working great. The bike sounds fine, and it rides like it was new. This afternoon, I came home, and shut the bike off and went inside. I came back out about 10 minutes later, and the bike would not start. I think there is something wrong with the electrical system, because I can push start it fine, and it still rides great, but none of the electrical components even respond. I checked the battery, and its charged and working fine as well. Some help? I've sifted through some of the other posts but I didn't seem to find anyone with my problem...
1979 Honda CX500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 6:21 PM
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Blindstitch2002
Joined on 05-15-2007
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 965
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Re: I could use some help!
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Did you check the three fuses. One by the battery and two where the handle bars bolt down. If I am right you can blow the fuse by the battery and still get it to push start. Might also look into replacing the fuse holder near the battery. There was a write up on useing a blade holder instead of the cylindrical fuses. Either way it cost about $4 and can save a lot of time.
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 6:25 PM
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Blue fox
Joined on 04-18-2008
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Posts 68
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Re: I could use some help!
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Check the main fuse beside the battery, not only for being good, but also the connectors. Next I would check the ignition switch. Or maybe just work the key back and forth several times and see if that brings anything back to life. I have not had many electrical problems on my bike, so maybe someone else has more ideas. Are you saying that you aren't getting any oil/neutral lites, no horn, no headlite, no turnsignals, no cranking when you hit the starter button?
Blue Fox
79-CX500C. 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C,
73-CB350F, 74-CT90, 56 SEARS (PUGH) MO-PED
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07-25-2008, 8:24 PM
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TrueAltitude
Joined on 07-25-2008
Posts 5
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Re: I could use some help!
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Hey thanks for all of the replies! I did check the fuses, and they all look good.
Thats exactly right: I am not getting any lights, horn, or cranking, but I can still get the bike to start if I pop the clutch, its pretty strange. Could it be the stator? God I hope its not...
1979 Honda CX500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 8:36 PM
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Blindstitch2002
Joined on 05-15-2007
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 965
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Re: I could use some help!
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Sounds like a power supply problem. Do you have a test light to check if power is making it past the fuse. If the connectors are corroded then the power won't get through.
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 9:06 PM
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TrueAltitude
Joined on 07-25-2008
Posts 5
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Re: I could use some help!
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Well, I just took a look at the connectors, and there is no sign of corrosion, and unfortunately I don't have a test light available to test the connection, so i'll have find one tomorrow. Do you think it could be a simple wiring problem?
1979 Honda CX500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 9:14 PM
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Blindstitch2002
Joined on 05-15-2007
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 965
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Re: I could use some help!
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Sometimes the simplest wiring problems are the hardest to figure out. You have to find out where the power stops to narrow it down. How has the battery been? A dead battery could kill everything but it might not be your problem. It's an easy place to start. check for corosion and clean if it needs it.
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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07-25-2008, 9:51 PM
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GunnieDeluxe
Joined on 06-03-2008
Fayetteville, Ar
Posts 19
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Re: I could use some help!
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I had a similar problem when I first got mine, and it was nothing more than the screw to the positive battery terminal needing 1/4 turn to tighten... may be worth a shot...
1979 CX500D
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07-25-2008, 10:30 PM
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TrueAltitude
Joined on 07-25-2008
Posts 5
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Re: I could use some help!
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Well, last year, my battery went bad, so I replaced it. I gave it a 5 hour wall charge this afternoon to see if there was any change, but nothing happened. I've heard of needing to replace electrolyte, but I thought that was only on older batteries. A new development though: even when I ride the bike after I pop the clutch the electronics still do not work, which suggests that the alternator might have gone, or possibly the wiring, or maybe both. Thoughts?
1979 Honda CX500 Custom
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07-26-2008, 8:10 AM
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Blue fox
Joined on 04-18-2008
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Posts 68
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Re: I could use some help!
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I am suspecting something wrong with the battery or it's connections, or the main fuse. Altho I don't think the main fuse being out would keep the bike from cranking. Can you jump from another vehicle (car, etc) directly to the battery leads and see what happens? Maybe even remove the existing battery when you jump. Make VERY sure you are positive to positive, negative to negative, or you will fry a whole bunch of electronics. Double check your battery's ground wire to the frame too. Maybe that has gotten loose. If you want to, you could jump to the starter motor lead at the solinoid and see if the motor cranks. This would throw 12 volts directly to the starting motor. If it cranks, I would suspect a bad ground to the battery, or a bad positve from the battery to the bike. You can't or shouldn't replace the electrolyte, if the level is low, add distilled water only. Batteries do go bad, even in a year, maybe the electrolyte level boiled down low due to overcharging and refilling may not fix that either.
Blue Fox
79-CX500C. 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C,
73-CB350F, 74-CT90, 56 SEARS (PUGH) MO-PED
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07-26-2008, 8:37 AM
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fll1441
Joined on 11-06-2006
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts 621
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Re: I could use some help!
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You may need a volt meter and/or test light to diagnose this one. A blown main fuse will keep the starter from turning when you hit the start button because there will be no power to the button. However, if you bypass the button by shorting the solenoid contacts (as Blue fox has suggested), you will know if the battery has a charge. Make sure the bike is in neutral and/or the clutch is pulled in, then bridge the two large posts on the starter relay with a screw driver. Be careful, sparks may fly and the starter will spin if the battery is good.
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07-28-2008, 9:45 AM
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RichNCT
Joined on 03-02-2006
Posts 2,020
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Re: I could use some help!
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The main fuse near the battery/starter relay area is likely to be the culprit. These can look good, and be bad. Your '79 will run with NO BATTERY (though not good practice as the battery is an important voltage buffer). This is very unlikely to be a stator problem, there are none of the usual indications. You are not getting voltage into the main wiring harness from the battery due to the main fuse or a nearby main power or ground connection. Yes, absence of a battery ground connection will also prevent power flow. Or the battery is stone dead and useless. Don't freak, this is going to be a simple problem to fix once you find the open circuit.
Born to be relatively wild
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08-03-2008, 4:56 PM
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TrueAltitude
Joined on 07-25-2008
Posts 5
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Re: I could use some help!
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Well, this has been an interesting journey. When you guys suggested to check the fuse, I did, and didn't see anything wrong with it. I took it out and inspected it, and it looked fine to me. Interestingly enough though, I notices what look like micro fissures in the glass, and when I replaced it, the thing fired right up! You guys were a great help; I would have not checked the fuses again if it had not been for you. You've got me back on the road!
Thanks again!
1979 Honda CX500 Custom
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » Technical Help ... » Re: I could use some help!
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