Help Electrial Problem

[sam]

'05 Nomad 1600
Occasionally when I hit the starter button it doesn't start and system
blacks out.(this is all momentarily) Clock & Trip meter reset, hit button again & it starts.
I think it could be all grounding problems. I can't find all frame grounds or joint connectors 1 & 2 shown in wiring diagram in service manual.
Any help finding connectors or ideas of what my problem is would be appreciated.
Thanks,

[Rasta]

Alot of times when clock, trip meter reset it is a sign that your battery is about at the end of its life. These are the very few signs you get before it completely died and leaves you stranded in a parking lot. Test the battery and if it comes back good then yes it could be a ground problem or bad contact on the start button

[ringadingh]

Thats the first sign that your battery is getting weak, its a simple fix. Time to replace the battery.

[Vulcan Bill]

As mentioned above your bikes brief hesitation on start along with clock and trip meter reset are classic symptoms of a weak battery. Being an '05 though, a good cleaning of all your starting circuit electrical connections is probably due. You'll have to pull the coolant cover and coolant reservoir tank off to get to some of them. It's not difficult.
First I would charge your charging circuit. Simple...put a voltage meter across the battery positive pole and ground. With the bike running you should see over 13 volts.

[Demolition Man]

Or bad voltage regulator or alternator and the battery is only a following symptom.

Cu,
Sven

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by sam

'05 Nomad 1600
Occasionally when I hit the starter button it doesn't start and system
blacks out.(this is all momentarily) Clock & Trip meter reset, hit button again & it starts.
,

9 times out of 10 I have found when this problem is discussed on this forum the battery is the problem.

[Yellow Jacket]

Joint connector 1 is inside the headlight bucket.
Joint connector 2 is beneath the seat and is in between the battery and the engine. You need to remove the battery to see it.

[DragonLady58]

Sometimes TC, what you describe can be either a slightly loose battery connection, or solenoid connector.
When this starts happening, it will start like that for a while until it completely fails.
And yes, a weak battery or a dying battery can be caused or accelerated by a bad alternator, regulator, or both.
Another thing, adding accessories to your battery terminal, after awhile, your batt. terminals look like they're growing wires, turning into bushes....in general, it looks bad, its hard to keep organized, and is just usually asking for a short to happen. I install aux. fuse blocks to attach accessories to.

Every few years, its best just to clean all the connections on your bike. Corrosson starts in, terminals and screws/bolts loosen. Resistance leads to battery drains, slow starting, heat buildup, component failure.

[cnc]

I bet dollars to donuts it is a weak battery, how old is it? Having said that all the above answers are good ones but you are best to approach this with a process of elimination. Yes all connections and the ground connections should be inspected, cleaned and tightened but eliminate the battery as a cause would be my first step. Got a digital volt meter? If not they are cheap and very handy. Armed with one check the voltage across the pos and neg termsnials of the battery at least a couple of hours after running or charging. You should see 12.5-12.7 volts. Next start the bike with the voltage meter still connected, watch what the voltage drops to anything below 12 volts or very high 11's, I would say either the battery is weak or the starter is drawing too much voltage. ( more likely the battery ). Next while the bike is running and the meter still connected, you should see high 13's to 14 or slightly more volts indicating that the charging system is functioning.

[sam]

I replaced the battery this past summer Now I think connector 1&2 should B next Thanks for the replies yellow jacket thanks for pics. I will b checking tomarrow

[RiseLikeRa]

Sam even though you batter is really new that does not mean that it is good. I have seen bad units with short time use on them or even new right out of the box. Not saying it IS the battery. Just saying that it could be. Please keep us posted.

Ra

[vulcanscott]

would not be the 1st bad battery sold . Just saying . And Yes there is a bulk ground connector that has given lot of grief . see the picture in Yellow Jackets Post .

[sam]

I don't have a digital meter but I checked volts, sitting is 12.5 when starting it dropped to 11.5/12 and when running it was 13/14 battery connections look good. that was it for today I got 3 months if winter for this job.

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by sam

I don't have a digital meter but I checked volts, sitting is 12.5 when starting it dropped to 11.5/12 and when running it was 13/14 battery connections look good. that was it for today I got 3 months if winter for this job.

You have your answer.

It should not drop into the 11's while starting.

I had a battery go bad in less than six months a couple of years ago.

Quality is not what it used to be.

MT

[cnc]

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

You have your answer.

It should not drop into the 11's while starting.

I had a battery go bad in less than six months a couple of years ago.

Quality is not what it used to be.

MT

+1 on that.