Switch failure

[steveb19]

Switched on today, fired her up and then she died,display dead too.
Switch will turn all the way round doing nothing and there is a burning smell from battery area ,so suspect something's burnt out. Any one any ideas?

Similar thing happened two years ago and turned out to be a blown fuse behind battery that I didn't know existed! This time is something more serious.
Mybikes a 2008 A1, one of the first. Been told switch spring was too weak on this year , but suspect more than that .any ideas or experiences gratefully received.
Steve

[O.C.]

you must first check your battety terminals are fully secure and not loose or dirty      

[shaggs147]

There has been the odd report of the rectifier failing. It will be worth checking it's not that that's fried. Start with the simple stuff though.


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[virginiajim]

you must first check your battety terminals are fully secure and not loose or dirty      

Something has fried, Rectifier, main fuse, wiring....  Put on the Chief Inspector hat and start the investigation.

[steveb19]

Spot on!
Found starter relay/fuse  assembly  completely melted.
Just purchased one on flea bay, but struggling to find the (red) plug that goes on it. Have to try Kawasaki dealer in the week.
The ignition switch is still faulty so need to strip that out too, don't know if it was coincidence all going at once or not.
Still Have no idea what's caused  the problem.is it common?
Steve

[O.C.]

No Steve, it isnt a common problem, but what is the history of your bike ? Age ? Mileage?  Etc,, 

[steveb19]

No Steve, it isnt a common problem, but what is the history of your bike ? Age ? Mileage?  Etc,,  [/

It's one of the first 2008 models (A1).
I purchased it new, done only 36,000 miles as I have other bikes and used it mostly for touring holidays. No one else gave ever rode her.
Last eight months she's lived outside under a cover as garage being rebuilt, wondered if despite the cover some waters got in somewhere.try to use her once a week or so to keep her dried out though.
Steve

[O.C.]

Steve, I suppose some water ingress could have taken place, but I don't know if that would damage the rectifier

It sounds to me like you have got to the root of the problem already.  Hope the Kawasaki sourced part isn't too expensive

[gpink]

If it's been outside you may want to inspect the wiring closely for rodent damage. Something caused the failure.

[Charlie747]

If it's been outside you may want to inspect the wiring closely for rodent damage. Something caused the failure.

Nice outside the box thinking 

[Wookie]

If WoOk has read this rite .. its likely down to age and resistance building in the solenoid and cabling .  Check out any sign of the dreaded BLACK WIRE .  Only recourse if that has happened is to strip out affected cables .
A real pain I'm the chutney that one .
Hope this may help
WoOk

[virginiajim]

Dreaded black wire?

[nobody]

.

[Wookie]

Black wire is were the copper cable literally starts to turn black .as far as I am aware it is a corrosion that happens to cheap usually Chinese cable (however the power lead on me autocom has just been replaced and ah didn't think it was cheepo cable)it makes the cable nigh on impossible to solder it increases resistance ..basically the cable is shagged.
However some one with more knowledge than me may be better to explain the chemistry involved 
WoOk just knows that the cable is buggered

[virginiajim]

Well, WoOk would be correct in that regard.    You guys seem to feel the effects of corrosion more on your bikes.  Must be the climate.  I know it damn near killed me that last time I was over there.