z1000 just died

[Redbeard]

Had a day off work today for a job interview, it went well but should hear Friday. Anyway, thought I'd take the zed for a spin and she died after 10 miles or so meaning I had to push it home 2.5 miles, felt like 2.6 miles home. Fuckin hard work. Anyway, still had lights, just nothing at all at the switch. Just cut out. No fuel issues. Fuses fine. Electrical fault, not bothered looking yet as the pub was far more appealing. Was running great, so it's an electric issue I want to fix by the weekend. Basically press the start button and nothing happens. No neutral light, just headlight/indicators/rear/brake. Help please!!

[z1000puddin]

Def. sounds electrical.
Check if spark at the plugs
Check ignition switch
Check the R/H switch gear (kill switch)
Check coil wires

No neutral light seems suspect area.

Hope you trace the fault before W/E

Stu

[Redbeard]

Could it be anything other than a loose/dodgy connection before I look? Not the starter for example? Battery is ok obviously as it was new a week or so ago. If a coil was fucked would there be a response to the starter button being pressed? Just trying to eliminate what I can before I look.

[steve bowdler]

Have you got a clutch lever switch ? could be at fault ?

[zed1015]

Obviously a live feed problem to the starter button and ignition.
I'd start at checking the live feed from the ign switch to the r/h switch gear , kill switch etc (Kill switch is favourite if common live for starter and sparks run through this)
Also any lockout switches on the side stand or clutch lever which are usual suspects.

[Redbeard]

yeah but the neutral light that was ok at the start of the ride doesn't illuminate when in neutral. I'm hoping it's a loose connection somewhere and not a component failure.

[Redbeard]

Thanks guys, I have some time Friday morning to take a look.

[Mark Tiller]

check the block connectors in the headlight

[z1bman]

check the brown wire from the ignition switch is live when the ignition is on. the same goes for the brown wire in the r/h switch . have you got stop lights & horn ? & do all the other warning lights in the centre console work / oil light / high beam/ also check the brown wires at the voltage regulator & the rectifier with the ignition switched on. the brown wire is the main power source to many things & there are about four brown wires in the harness joined with a brass crimp which is usually the main cause of these type of problems

[Redbeard]

Thanks z1bman I will check all those things tomorrow. There are no warning lights at all, indicators work but the indicator warning on the clock doesn't. Haven't checked brake light but tail and headlight worked. Will keep you updated.

[z1bman]

i am certain it is the brown wire broken in the harness. if you pull on the brown wire that goes in to the main harness in the headlight you will find it will pull out

[Redbeard]

Quick update. I have all lights including idiot lights except for neutral and brake light. I have checked live at ignition switch and it's good. I have opened the r/h switchgear and light connections are fine but have nothing at the kill/on/off switch. Brake light doesn't work off front or rear lever.
I have opened all connectors, cleaned and re-connected and still nothing. I can't find any broken wires or loose connections.
I will test fuses and try again.
It happened after a rough patch on the road as I slowed to a roundabout, went into 2nd gear and then cut out. So likely a dodgy connection somewhere. The diagram I have is on the computer and isn't clear when I zoom in so it's not easy establishing what's what.

[coldsummer]

I had a similar problem on my A4. Turned out to be corroded connectors into the main fuse block, took a while to diagnose because the fuses all checked out fine.

[z1bman]

you have a brown wire in the r/h switch that is the power for the lights. this wire is looped to the kill switch & starter button. have you got power at both brown wires? have you got power to the red/ yellow at the coils

[Redbeard]

Hi z1bman, turns out I should have checked fuses properly in the first place. 10Amp for ignition and neutral had blown. What a t**t. The reflection along the glass threw me, I tested them and that was the fault. 97p for 3 at the local car spares place. I will carry spares from mow on. Sorted now, thanks very much for all your help, at least I know everything is ok with the wiring and have learnt what to look for if I get problems in the future.