KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

Kill Switch/Short

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18 Mar 2023 11:42 #881697 by SRQ Mike
Kill Switch/Short was created by SRQ Mike
Finally got my 79 KZ650 running fairly well.  Unfortunately, yesterday when I turned the kill switch to the Run position, I heard a click/pop near the fuses.  The fuses all appear to be intact but obviously the starter portion of the electrical system is dead.   What else should I be checking?   I should note that I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to the electrical system and apparently too old to learn the intricacies of diagnosis.  

1979 Kawasaki KZ650 SR

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18 Mar 2023 12:00 #881699 by F64
Replied by F64 on topic Kill Switch/Short
Do your ignition coils have voltage on the yellow/red wire with engine kill switch set to "run" and key "on"?

81-KZ440-D2.
Louis Dudzik's GM HEI ignitor conversion installed 2015 s3.amazonaws.com/gpzweb/Ignition/GPZgmHEImod.html
Motogadget m-unit blue installed 2017.
LIC, NY
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  • Scirocco
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  • Never change a running system
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18 Mar 2023 16:10 #881728 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic Kill Switch/Short
Fuses can be look okay from the outside view but can fail internal. They have to be continuity test with a multimeter!
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19 Mar 2023 05:44 #881750 by SRQ Mike
Replied by SRQ Mike on topic Kill Switch/Short
Thanks for the ideas.   I've been very fortunate that previous bikes (mostly Honda's) that I've tinkered with over the years have had very minimal electrical issues.  So,  I've never learned much about diagnosing the problems.  

1979 Kawasaki KZ650 SR

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19 Mar 2023 06:26 #881758 by Wookie58
Replied by Wookie58 on topic Kill Switch/Short

Thanks for the ideas.   I've been very fortunate that previous bikes (mostly Honda's) that I've tinkered with over the years have had very minimal electrical issues.  So,  I've never learned much about diagnosing the problems.  
You find find the attached fault finding guide useful

www.kzrider.com/forum/forum-index/faq-wi...-fault-finding-guide
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27 Mar 2023 10:37 #882073 by SRQ Mike
Replied by SRQ Mike on topic Kill Switch/Short
Follow-up:   After rechecking fuses, cleaning the contacts in the kill switch, reading about electrical systems and beating myself up
for not knowing much about electrical systems, I found the problem!  It was a faulty connection on one of the wires which connects
to the rectifier.  Bike is now running great!   Thanks!  

1979 Kawasaki KZ650 SR
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