Discharging Indicator

[JoeReid]

My Pro-Link CBX is ridden regularly and usually charges normally. Occasionally it stops charging for a few seconds to a few minutes as indicated by the volt meter reading full left (8 volts) and both direction signal dash indicator lights illuminated. The battery is new and cranks the engine with authority. I just replaced the alternator brushes and the lubed the bearings with Mobil 1 synthetic grease. I sanded the clutch friction surfaces and chamfered the oil grooves. I also cleaned the alternator and regulator connectors and lubed them with silicone grease. Any ideas what may be causing the no charge condition? Is both direction signal indicator lights being illuminated normal when the battery is not being charged? I have not seen this indication documented on this forum and I can't inderstand why this occurs by looking at the wiring diagram in the service manual. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Joe from frozen New Jersey

[Terry]

Having replaced two units on my 82, my educated guess would be that there is a short (loose connection) behind the guage cluster. Two of my volt/amp meter needles began to wiggle violently when on the road. One lost its needle altogether and the other needle broke in half. Still stubborn I replaced them with a third unit and it broke its needle in half but, I found a loose connection and it works fine now, albeit with a shorter needle. My blinkers twinkled off and on as well. Good luck and keep us posted on your loose connection hunt.

[JoeReid]

Thanks for the clue Terry, I check the connections and ride it after the next rain, I don't ride when there is salt on the roads and we had a few inches of snow last night. Wish I was in California and could ride more of the time.

[Don]

Occasionally it stops charging for a few seconds to a few minutes as indicated by the volt meter reading full left (8 volts) and both direction signal dash indicator lights illuminated

I agree with Terry that you have a loose connection somewhere

If all that you had going on was an alternator that 'stopped charging' your voltmeter wouldn't read 'full left' - With a good battery, it would read 11 to 12 volts depending on what you have running. The 8 volt reading (actually, that's not really a 'reading' as what it's really telling you is that you have no voltage at all - It's just that the meter can't read zero) is a sure sign you have an 'open circuit' . . . . which is a loose, intermittant connection - With it's myriad of plugs and connectors, bad connections are something old CBX's are famous for

Don

[JoeReid]

Thanks for the reply Don, I understand the concept of the expanded scale voltmeter and that there must be an open circuit but have not been able to locate it yet. I will keep trying until successful and will report what I find.

Joe

[Terry]

FYI, my loose connection was in the harness behind the guages, not the meter itself. Cleaned and reconnected and haven't had a problem since. Good luck!

[JoeReid]

I separated, cleaned and added silicone grease to the two connectors for the instrument cluster before I reinstalled them. It was 53 degrees here today and the sun came out bright, even if low in the sky (winter solstus less than a week ago), the road dryed after yesterday's rain washed most of the salt away and I went for a 27 mile ride. The meter indicated charging the whole time and although I'm not willing to say that the problem is fixed yet, I am encouraged and will report again after more miles have accumulated. I also found the vent hose for the vacuum fuel control valve and pressurized it to about 150mm of Hg, fuel must have flowed to the carbs because the CBX started in what I would guess to be less than a single revolution and ran on all six cylinders immediately. The bike had not been run in more than 2 weeks. That was a great improvement over the previous process of, choke on full, open and close throttle 8 to 10 times to actuate the accelerator pump, then crank the starter for 5 seconds and repeat the process 3 or more times to get it running. Now all I need is more warm, dry weather so I can enjoy my new toy. Thank you for your help gentlemen.

Joe

[alimey4u2]

Thanks for the fedback Joe...

As is so often we have questions and propose possible answers never to hear from that person again. The forum is a learning tool for all, more so for the trouble shooters...

[Terry]

Thanks for the fedback Joe...

As is so often we have questions and propose possible answers never to hear from that person again. The forum is a learning tool for all, more so for the trouble shooters...

True true, and feedback is even more important than fedback...

[alimey4u2]

I have new glasses on the card for the New Year Terry...

[JoeReid]

I bought the KojayCat 81-83 USA spec color wiring diagram and it is a great deal easier to use and understand than the black and white one in the service manual but I have a question related to the Speed sensor and the control unit. What do they do? There seems to be a connection between these units and the effect that both direction signal indicators light when the volt meter occasionally reads 8 volts (full left). The air pressure warning light is involved in this circuit too. What is the connection?

Joe

[EMS]

The rear shock air pressure warning light comes on when the air pressure falls under a certain value and the speed exceeds 10 mph. Therefore the speed sensor.

[JoeReid]

Is there logic in one of those components that turns both direction signal indicators on when there is no voltage on the volt meter?

[Terry]

Is there logic in one of those components that turns both direction signal indicators on when there is no voltage on the volt meter?

Sorry I can't help but your question about logic in relation to old electrical systems reminded me of a 6 volt 1948 GMC truck I used to have. I took it fishing a lot along the Sacramento river and whenever I parked near the water's edge the volt meter would fully discharge. I had to disconnect the battery while there or it would run down. With the key off and headlights on, the motor wouldn't turn off until I turned off the headlights...I swear! At no other time would the electrical system cause one bit of trouble. Good luck with yours...

[JoeReid]

Sound like a poltergeist to me.

Joe