Electrical problem

[Mike1]

Need lots of help with this one. We have a 2002 1150RT with two electrical problems, which may not be related. It is hard to say with these gremlins. With the key in park, the front parking light and the rear parking light come on, as they should. When not in park, the front parking light comes on with the headlight. I never noticed this before, or was not paying attention, and I do not think this is right. Anybody else have this? In addition, sometimes after not riding for a few days, starting the bike will reset the clock to 00:00. Strange, I know the battery is charged. Two other important pieces of information; the bike is red, and we live in southern California.

[bransan]

Bad ground, for the clock. Maybe a stuck relay for the parking light? Could also be a corroded connection at the ignition switch. Good luck with that.

[cjack]

The parking light comes on with the tail light. Always. As for the clock, it tends to mean that the voltage goes really low for the clock and it resets. I don't know what it takes to cause that, but maybe an intermittant loss of ground. At least make sure your battery connections are clean and secure and that the battery is really ok.

[Mike1]

Thanks guys. I will start taking things apart. Something is loose somewhere.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Two other important pieces of information; the bike is red, and we live in southern California.


Mike, paint the bike blue and move to North Carolina. I've never had those problems. That should fix it!

The parking light on my '00 1100RT always comes on with the headlight, and has since I brought it home in '03.

Regarding the clock reset - as suggested by Jack - the first thing I would check is the battery terminals to make sure they are tight & clean.

Don't you love electrical gremlins?

[BouncinBob]

With the key in park, the front parking light and the rear parking light come on, as they should. When not in park, the front parking light comes on with the headlight.

Mike, step away from the tools.

That is functioning properly, don't try to fix it. This is why the parking light is a popular power source for a rely to have something on switched power.

[ltljohn]

I have an '02 RT also and this is exactly how mine works. The resetting clock is a mystery. Sometimes it just goes to all zeros when starting. Battery is fine, bike starts fine no worries.

[Mike1]

Thanks people. I should not try to fix it if it is not broke. Taking off all the Tupperware could damage the bike in other ways. I was almost sure that the front parking light did not come on with the headlight. If it is that way on other bikes, then it must be righteous. For the clock reset problem, I will check the battery again. :brow

[Belquar]

When I killed my battery by leaving the key in the ignition in the on position all night in front of my office :banghead (lucky I still have my bike, or lucky the battery died as fast as it did.) After jumping in the morning for about 2-3 days the same thing happened to my clock. No more though.

Good luck.