Katana_flyer
XS400 Member
First timer here. I hope this isn't a repeat.
I have an 82 xs400 that I just got as a project bike.
Right now I dont have a proper battery for it so I'm just using jumper cables to connect another 12v battery to the system directly to the ground cable and main power cable.
Firstly: is this a bad idea?
Secondly: This is with the engine Not running and im not sure if it will behave the same with engine running or not. I have some other work to do before it runs.
im trying to troubleshoot some adverse electrical behaviours.
The head light and tailight come on very dim and not enough voltage it seems to make flashers work. They will come on once then get stuck but dim too. Same with the horn, sometimes i get a slight groan but usually nothing.
It seems to me there is a loss of voltage somewhere.
There is 12v at the starter solenoid.
12v at the hot side of the main fuse
12v at the other side of the main fuse.
This red wire then goes up to ignition switch and its getting about 9 or 10 volts at that end
The main and the headlight fuse seem to get very hot.
Could anyone tell me if this slightly lower voltage would be the culprit and whatevers robbing a few volts could be why its getting hot?
Been following the wiring trying to find a bare piece rubbing the frame.
Have unplugged components such as flasher, flash cancel unit , brake light switches etc to see if something shorting but so far still everything seems weak.
Any tips or advice on troubleshooting would be appreciated.
I have an 82 xs400 that I just got as a project bike.
Right now I dont have a proper battery for it so I'm just using jumper cables to connect another 12v battery to the system directly to the ground cable and main power cable.
Firstly: is this a bad idea?
Secondly: This is with the engine Not running and im not sure if it will behave the same with engine running or not. I have some other work to do before it runs.
im trying to troubleshoot some adverse electrical behaviours.
The head light and tailight come on very dim and not enough voltage it seems to make flashers work. They will come on once then get stuck but dim too. Same with the horn, sometimes i get a slight groan but usually nothing.
It seems to me there is a loss of voltage somewhere.
There is 12v at the starter solenoid.
12v at the hot side of the main fuse
12v at the other side of the main fuse.
This red wire then goes up to ignition switch and its getting about 9 or 10 volts at that end
The main and the headlight fuse seem to get very hot.
Could anyone tell me if this slightly lower voltage would be the culprit and whatevers robbing a few volts could be why its getting hot?
Been following the wiring trying to find a bare piece rubbing the frame.
Have unplugged components such as flasher, flash cancel unit , brake light switches etc to see if something shorting but so far still everything seems weak.
Any tips or advice on troubleshooting would be appreciated.
