Ring antenna? (bike fails to start in the rain).

[bob393]

At least that's what I think it's called.

I had a problem starting the bike once a month or so ago in the rain. I turned the key on and nothing happened, nothing!
Turned it off and on again, still nothing, I took the key out, put it back in, turned it on and all was fine, dash check lights, etc. and it started. I didn't give it another thought, until now.

I got out of work today, raining like crazy so yes it was thoroughly soaked, went to start the bike and nothing.
Tried the usual on and off, nothing. Took the key out, put it back and wa la it started and ran fine.

Now my question is:
Does this sound like a ring antenna I hear about all the time failing when it gets wet or something else.
I'm a daily 12 month rider and this would be totally unacceptable, well it would be to anyone I guess.

I also want to add that last winter the lock froze up and I thawed it by heating the key and it worked.

I just hit 60,000 miles and I guess it would be expected for some thing to wear out though I hope not.

[bob393]

I just saw this thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245456

Good but it talks about the yellow triangle coming on.
My bike was dead!
SO I suspect it's not the ring antenna.
Still don't know what it is?

[GB]

Check the easy stuff.. I'd start at the battery, check that both terminals are nice and tight.. Check the battery voltage as you crank it, it might be dying or has a bad cell.

I'll change your thread title to attract more responses..

[scooteraug02]

Prevention! Why not cover it up when it sits in the rain once you figure out the problem?

Was there a recall for the key ring thing. My 08 had a recall for the key.


You could make this into a cover. From Show us something that you MADE for your GS

[bob393]

Originally Posted by GB

Check the easy stuff.. I'd start at the battery, check that both terminals are nice and tight.. Check the battery voltage as you crank it, it might be dying or has a bad cell.

I'll change your thread title to attract more responses..

Thanks for changing the title!
I did check the terminals and there tight. I didn't use a volt meter but I'm talking stone dead no response to the key and whe I pulled the key and put it back in it was fine.

Originally Posted by scooteraug02

Prevention! Why not cover it up when it sits in the rain once you figure out the problem?

Was there a recall for the key ring thing. My 08 had a recall for the key.


You could make this into a cover. From Show us something that you MADE for your GS

I will check on the recall, Thanks

Ah the cover thing.
I do carry and use a cover most of the time. However when I ride to work in the rain and the bike
is soaking wet I hate to cover it to hold the moisture in just in case it stops raining and it could dry out.
But I'm always open to rethinking my decisions.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by bob393

Now my question is:
Does this sound like a ring antenna I.

Nope

You have a bad electrical connection somewhere, possibly at ignition switch itself.
With the ring antenna you get a EWS fault. You screen lights up and will say EWS. You can not start your bike but you will have power to other systems, like lighting, ect.
The below web page explains EWS and the antenna rings role in starting the engine.
http://www.hexcode.co.za/techinfo/ews

[Drif10]

Was having the same problem. Sometimes it'd work, sometimes not. No dash, no lights, nada. About the same mileage.

Replaced the switch on the bottom of the ignition cylinder, problem solved.

[SR1]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

Nope

You have a bad electrical connection somewhere, possibly at ignition switch itself.
With the ring antenna you get a EWS fault. You screen lights up and will say EWS. You can not start your bike but you will have power to other systems, like lighting, ect.
The below web page explains EWS and the antenna rings role in starting the engine.
http://www.hexcode.co.za/techinfo/ews

yes.

[bob393]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

Nope

You have a bad electrical connection somewhere, possibly at ignition switch itself.
With the ring antenna you get a EWS fault. You screen lights up and will say EWS. You can not start your bike but you will have power to other systems, like lighting, ect.
The below web page explains EWS and the antenna rings role in starting the engine.
http://www.hexcode.co.za/techinfo/ews

I got no EWS Fault so it's not the ring antenna, good I think.

Note: The hexcode link is a worthwhile read. Thanks

Originally Posted by Drif10

Was having the same problem. Sometimes it'd work, sometimes not. No dash, no lights, nada. About the same mileage.

Replaced the switch on the bottom of the ignition cylinder, problem solved.

I'll check it out.

Thanks

[bob393]

Just a note: it appears to be the connections to the ignition switch itself. The last time it wouldn't start out of desperation I started wiggling the wiring harness on the bottom of the switch and it came to life.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by bob393

Just a note: it appears to be the connections to the ignition switch itself. The last time it wouldn't start out of desperation I started wiggling the wiring harness on the bottom of the switch and it came to life.

Well, that maybe a broken wire. I believe you can just splice in a new piece of wire if that is the case.