Need help diagnosing strange electrical problem

[cyclenutk75]

Had the FJ warmed up and ready to go to work this morning. While maneuvering out of the garage, I turned the handlebars full lock right and the fuel and oil warning lights came on.  I also thought I heard a noise coming from the engine - sounded like the starter motor.  Switched the ignition off, turned it back on without firing up the engine, turned bars full right, and sure enough the engine started.  Was going to take a day off work tomorrow to ride, but would like to resolve this issue first.  Will probably go home at lunch time and get the tank off so I can start looking tonight.  Has anybody experienced this problem?  If so, any help diagnosing it - as in where to look first for a bad wire or whatever - would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

[FJ111200]

Might be something to do with the blue and white wire coming from the starter button.
It could be shorting somewhere.  I'm no electrical expert but ?

[cyclenutk75]

Many thanks.  Have had the tank off several times in the year+ i've owned it, but never had cause to pay attention to the wiring harness.  I'll check that wire first. 

[rktmanfj]

Had the FJ warmed up and ready to go to work this morning. While maneuvering out of the garage, I turned the handlebars full lock right and the fuel and oil warning lights came on.  I also thought I heard a noise coming from the engine - sounded like the starter motor.  Switched the ignition off, turned it back on without firing up the engine, turned bars full right, and sure enough the engine started.  Was going to take a day off work tomorrow to ride, but would like to resolve this issue first.  Will probably go home at lunch time and get the tank off so I can start looking tonight.  Has anybody experienced this problem?  If so, any help diagnosing it - as in where to look first for a bad wire or whatever - would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

Do you have a tank bag on?

[cyclenutk75]

Yes - seldom take it off.  Magnetic.  I checked to see if the bag was causing the wiring to over-stretch at full right turn, but it wasn't.  Or were you suggesting it might be something else caused by the bag?  If so, I'm all ears.  Thanks.

[rktmanfj]

The larger of my two tank bags sometimes will press in the starter button at full lock to the right, causing exactly what you noticed.

The starter motor should not run, though, if the engine is already running.

[SlowOldGuy]

The starter motor WILL run, but if the engine is idling faster than the starter is turning (which it should be!), you won't notice it because it won't engage it's clutch.

Randy's description is accurate.  Everything you describe will happen if you press the starter button while the engine is running.

DavidR.

[cyclenutk75]

OK, so I took the FJ to a shop and hooked it up to a high tech computerized diagnostic machine, then simulated the problem.  Afterwords, it spit me a print out that said, "Duh, dude! Your starter button is hitting your tank bag!"  Actually that's what a friend said to me when I demonstrated the problem for him after work. It didn't take me long to realize that there was no way to get out of fessing up here, as much as I tried to come up with some other reason why that would happen.  Oh well, let me have it - I've got broad shoulders.  However, I find myself hoping that I never meet in person anybody that read this thread.  I've had that tank bag on the bike as long as I've owned it and, until now, have never positioned it that far forward.  Without starting a new thread, I have another question.  What's the best way out of an embarassing situation like this? Heck, my wife is even ashamed of me.

[rktmanfj]

OK, so I took the FJ to a shop and hooked it up to a high tech computerized diagnostic machine, then simulated the problem.  Afterwords, it spit me a print out that said, "Duh, dude! Your starter button is hitting your tank bag!"  Actually that's what a friend said to me when I demonstrated the problem for him after work. It didn't take me long to realize that there was no way to get out of fessing up here, as much as I tried to come up with some other reason why that would happen.  Oh well, let me have it - I've got broad shoulders.  However, I find myself hoping that I never meet in person anybody that read this thread.  I've had that tank bag on the bike as long as I've owned it and, until now, have never positioned it that far forward.  Without starting a new thread, I have another question.  What's the best way out of an embarassing situation like this? Heck, my wife is even ashamed of me.

BTDT, DAMHIKIJKOK?        

[andyb]

Oh, you will totally forget about it the next time.  That's because you'll be turning left and the horn will start honking wildly.  That will be embarassing.

[rktmanfj]

The starter motor WILL run, but if the engine is idling faster than the starter is turning (which it should be!), you won't notice it because it won't engage it's clutch.

DavidR.

Heh, I never noticed it running, figured the circuit much be disabled or something... I never really looked at the schematic.

Thanks David!

[Travis398]

Do you have a tank bag on?

[cyclenutk75]

Not quite sure how to take that, Travis, but assume it's not a compliment.  And while I'm fessing up, been there on the tank bag / horn thing.  Had a beemer with a big tank bag that hit my horn every time I had to muscle it in or out of a parking space. And always plenty of people around to enjoy the '61 Impala sound of the Fiams.  Another good reason to always wear a full faced helmet.  Often considered getting a dark tint face shield just for those occasions.

[markmartin]

Oh, you will totally forget about it the next time.  That's because you'll be turning left and the horn will start honking wildly.  That will be embarassing.

BTDT.  A great cardiac check also, especially first thing in the morning while maneuvering out of the garage.

[racerman_27410]

there is no reason to be embarressed..... we have all BTDT at some point in time.

Cannot learn experience from a book...  easy to to remember solutions after you've lived the problem.


KOokaloo!