Dead key

Rajuncajun · Apr 26, 2017

Dead key syndrome!
1999 st1100 74,000 miles
battery 12.6v charged
main fuse good
all fuses goodFuse link good
turn the key on and nothing/ no instrument light/ horn nothing

any idea where to go from here??

Uncle Phil · Apr 26, 2017

Check your battery cables. The ground is known to work loose because of the way it is routed through a cable keeper.

ibike2havefun · Apr 26, 2017

I don't know that much and haven't had all that much experience diagnosing wiring problems so more informed opinions should get greater weight and consideration.

That said I'd start by checking ground connections at the battery, the big bunch of grounds behind the left middle cowling (oh that's ST1300; not sure if there is something similar on the 1100's), and wherever else there's a ground involved with the ignition circuit.

Has the bike been sitting a while? Look for mouse-chewed wiring, perhaps well inside the bike.

Any chance you've got a wire with abraded insulation, bumped up against something it should not be?

Any chance the wiring to / behind the key itself has corroded or come loose?

Any farkles that tapped the ignition-related wiring, at or near the fuses? Check those connections if so, and the taps themselves.

There you have it- the sum total of things I can think of, that my betters have discussed on various electrical threads I've read.

Bush · Apr 26, 2017

Uncle Phil said:
Check your battery cables.

Always the first thing to check when this happens.

Do you see any sign of electrical life when turning the key in the ignition switch? The contacts in there can wear and end up disconnected in the ON position, but you might see a glimmer of life as you rotate the key to the ON position.

Ron · Apr 26, 2017

Check out the starter relay connector. Just to the left of the battery. Did you check that fuse? There should be a spare right by it. Pull the connector and look at the inside of it. There is a red wire going through there. For what ever reason it gets hot and starts burning the connecter. The red wire supplies power, or turns relays on, for about everything on the bike. It is an 18 gage wire with a 30 amp fuse.

See the link for a better explanation including pictures. The fix is easy and cost about $10.

http://www.st-riders.net/index.php?topic=7130.msg58746#msg58746

Hope this is all it is, an easy fix.

Slydynbye · Apr 26, 2017

If the clock works while off and turns off when you turn on the ignition it could be the battery.

SMSW · Apr 26, 2017

ibike2havefun said:
I don't know that much and haven't had all that much experience diagnosing wiring problems so more informed opinions should get greater weight and consideration.

That said I'd start by checking ground connections at the battery, the big bunch of grounds behind the left middle cowling (oh that's ST1300; not sure if there is something similar on the 1100's), and wherever else there's a ground involved with the ignition circuit.

Has the bike been sitting a while? Look for mouse-chewed wiring, perhaps well inside the bike.

Any chance you've got a wire with abraded insulation, bumped up against something it should not be?

Any chance the wiring to / behind the key itself has corroded or come loose?

Any farkles that tapped the ignition-related wiring, at or near the fuses? Check those connections if so, and the taps themselves.

There you have it- the sum total of things I can think of, that my betters have discussed on various electrical threads I've read.

You sure covered all the basics. Since the OP gets nothing when he turns the key, there is no electricity flowing period. That means an open circuit - #1 of your suggestions is right on target.

Dead key

Rajuncajun

Uncle Phil

ibike2havefun

Still above the sod

Bush

Ron

Slydynbye

Will ride for Pie

SMSW