We just got my sons R100 back on the road after 9yrs in a box. Started right up! Dash lights were all on for a couple minutes. Had to remove the tank to check something and now none of the indicator lights work. Headlight, tail lights, blinkers and brake lights work but not on the dash. We've checked all the connections and grounds I think. Gone over it several times. Alternator not charging. Obviously, something happened at the time the tank was removed. Fuses are fine. Son said the dash blinker lights worked for a moment today then stopped. Bike runs great. Ideas?
Thanks in advance...
Ray
The only thing all those lamps have in common is the DC return, or what most people call "ground". IMHO, you may have a corrosion issue on one of the electrical contacts. You'll want to find some "No-Ox" electrical paste to eliminate that corrosion.
The 2 points of interest for you will be...
► The connector on the rear of the speedometer/tach housing. There is a single, countersunk screw just above where the cable enters the back of the unit. Remove the screw and yank on the harness. A large blockish connector will unplug from the rear of the unit. Add a dab of No-Ox to each of the contacts (the 1/8 inch holes) and re-insert. Careful with the screw; it goes into plastic not metal.
► The electrical connector board inside the headlamp shell. Look for the Brown wires collecting in an area on the lower RH board that has a brown color printed on the board. Using a pair of duckbill pliers, you can unplug each brown wire, add a dab of No-Ox into the female socket and then return the spade connector to the same terminal.
The problem most probably relates to the effects of water and time on the brass connectors. A very tiny amount of corrosion will form on the electrical contacts, and inhibit electrical flow. The smaller the current, the smaller the amount of corrosion needed to block electrical flow. So if you remove the connector, you may not see anything. If you plug it back in, then it may resume normal electrical connection for a month or 2, but because you have not eliminated the corrosion, the problem will return. No-Ox is a chemical compound especially formulated to eliminate and protect against this exact type of corrosion. The smallest of containers is enough to treat every connector on several motorcycles. You can buy it off Amazon or Ebay.
Hope this helps.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Thank you. The contacts seem okay but a dab of no-ox is a great idea.
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