Unexplained momentary total electrical system failure.

Cool Blue North · Post by **Cool Blue North** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:42 am

One evening last fall my 79 CBX just shut down totally while on a slow city ride. Engine quit, no lights, nothing. As I was digging out my cell phone she suddenly came back to life and hasn't given any trouble since. Obviously there's an intermittent electrical problem. I can find no obvious cause. Any suggestions?

CBN

79 CBX - 80 CT70 - 84 CX650E - 01 Triumph Tiger - 02 Kawasaki W650 -

03 Kawasaki ZRX1200R

broook · Post by **broook** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:26 pm

Ignition switch and main fuse come to mind.

My ignition switch needs a bit of a jiggle sometimes like a lot of others. I know one day it is going to let me down altogether.

If the main fuse is original some of the members have stated in the past that they tend to split with age and cause a "make brake" situation.

Also the wire connectors behind the right side cover give problems.

hope this helps

busaboy · Post by **busaboy** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:02 am

Look very carefully at the main fuse, and push or pull on it a little to see if it's cracked!!

I was stuck on the side of the road with similar symptoms once. Upon getting the bike home, I realized by doing the above that the perfect-appearing main fuse had cracked.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 10:42 am

On a trip back from Oregon my switch went bad. Realized it at gas stops when I had to jiggle the hell out of it before starting up after gassing up. At my last stop I managed to find my extra key and used it to open the gas cap so I wouldn't have to test fate any longer. It worked as when I arrived home and shut it off, it never worked again. Replaced it and haven't had a problem since.

Cool Blue North · Post by **Cool Blue North** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:58 pm

Thanks for the help everybody. I've bought a new main fuse and I'll try all your suggestions this spring.

CBN