electrical help needed

[Jonesy :-)]

After  unwrapping the loom a bit, I separated the fused together wires and re-insulated them, then wired the new 4 pin plug in.
I was a bit worried the wires might have melted together further back up inside the loom, so took the headlight off and found the white wire that goes to the tacho. Put the multi meter in continuity/beep mode and tested all 4 wires behind the fuse box to the tacho wire. only one of the wires in the 4 pin end beeped so I don't think there's any melted together wires in the loom.
I've been for a couple of rides now and yesterday I measured 12.6 volts before the ride and 13volts after the ride so pretty happy with that.
BUT.... the tacho still swings wildly from zero to off the clock.........any ideas where else to look for a cause

[Jonesy :-)]

ok, I did all the tests, the same as what is described in the manual pages posted and everything tested right. one thing I did notice was the manual reckons there's 3 wires in one of the blocks from the rec/reg (black, brown and green) but in real life the black one doesn't exist on the rec/reg side?
Think I might just continue riding and see what happens............intermittent electrical probs.....what a PITA!

[Jonesy :-)]

Thanks Jeff
I did the rotor and stator resistance tests at the plugs behind the fuse box and got 3.5  & 4.0 ohms as per instructions,
I'll take the next step and do the tests you posted for the rec/reg

[excess.11]

Here s the procedure and values for testing the reg/rectifier....
Use the keyboard ....Ctrl and tap the + to enlarge .........

[excess.11]

Jonesy..carry out the resistance test on the stator and field coil windings as per book and see how the readings compare.
Bad/poor connections as well as failing electronics can result in what your finding . I f you have a spare regulator/rectifier...change it out........as well as giving the multiple negative connections and the mount screw/thread that secures them, on that unit..a good clean.
The bad connections that you found and have repaired can cause a flow on effect to other components due to surging/shorting current and erratic voltages.
The 17 volts you found seems out of sorts with any findings you should be getting .  Check your meter against known values to assess it s accurate.

[Jonesy :-)]

Thanks Jeff
I went to the local auto shop and got a 4 pin plug and wired in, also cleaned up all the connectors behind the fuse box.
Did same tests as I did above and got 17 volts at one stage....but ....after the bike warmed up I got a fairly consistent 14 or so volts under varying conditions
Any clues as to what's going on here?
the warmed up motor might be a red herring or the intermittent fault has come to the fore?
Is it possible for the rec/reg to have intermittent problem? or are they one of them things that either work or they don't?

[excess.11]

Jonesy......the yellow wire goes to a headlight relay........well done on finding the shoddy connection .

[Jonesy :-)]

I think I found the problem
I think I have US spec wiring one yellow and 3 white wires in the plug that melted, UK specs don't have the yellow
The yellow goes to a relay that I'm not sure what it does?
I think its an old problem too as the fused together wires were wrapped up in black insulation tape that like you'd have lying around not OEM looking tape

[XSIIE]

Now this would be a good workshop item for the 2014 "Rally"

101 multimeters and the XS1100 for dummies.   

Where do I sign up for a place?

Do we have an an electrickery and multimeter jedi knight guru master amongst us who would be willing to use their mind tricks to teach us??

Eddy

[Jonesy :-)]

Nope, but I am a blackbelt in bullshit

------------------------------------------------------------
good onya Eddy. I laughed out loud at that one
Dont worry about bringing the meter, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the test that has to be done, so was hoping you had a black belt in electrically knowing you shit

I'll probably just do the swap of rec/reg if I get a repeat of the 16+ volts thing

thanks for the offer anyway.

[XSIIE]

To quote a fomous person Jonezy, "I have all the gear with no idea"

I can bring a multimeter with me to bathurst.  You are more than welcome to use it.  I will be passing through Bathurst again in abouts 3 weeks where I can drop by and pick it up.

I will be at a Dog agility trial this weekend (In Bathurst Showgrounds) I may not have a spare hour during the day as my runs will be erratic.

Cheers

Eddy

[XSNT999]

Gee Whiz Jonesy you have to feel better now eh? 

[XSIIE]

Nope, but I am a blackbelt in bullshit

[Jonesy :-)]

thanks Eddy
are you trained in the black art of metering electricity and maybe have an hour to spare?

[XSIIE]

Jonezy, I will be in Bathurst this weekend for dog comp. i can bring mine up for you to use.

Eddy