HD Forums Australia
Home
Topics

Finally found the Gremlin.

  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    With the lockdown got some fault-finding done on the old '96WG for a long-standing intermittent issue of starter not turning  (only just the dreaded click of the solenoid). 
    After much temporary jumpering of parts of the circuit like the relay contacts & the console main switch, finally identified high resistance contacts at the plug/socket under seat (that goes to console switch). 
    A bit of cleaning of contacts with a fine file then contact cleaner spray rectified issue - a great win!


    20200413_223436.jpg
  • Muzza Wa
    Muzza Wa
    4 years ago
    Good job, not an easy one for sure 
  • Retroman
    Retroman
    4 years ago

    I had a very similar problem twice in the past. on a 2000 Deuce AND a 2006 Dyna anniversary.

    Both had tank mounted ignition switches , and both had bad connectivity issues in there.

    Fucking things would falter in roundabouts junctions etc after starting and running , well scary at the time

    Clue ? The switches felt "gritty" to operate,!

    Labour only , a good stripdown and flush with spray electrical contact cleaner.

    Rebuild with dielectric grease and good to go for YEARS after that.

    At the time I "blamed" the omnipresent every afternoon seabreeze here in Perth WA.

    Good pickup on your part ,I will keep that one in the memory bank thanks !

  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Good one Wideglider. Should give you peace of mind.  Bet that beer tasted nice when you finished.
  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    4 years ago
    contact cleaner and dielectric grease are definitely friends in these issues,good feeling when a long term gremlin is eliminated.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    whats this dielectric grease youse are talking about?

  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    4 years ago
    a grease for electrical connections that doesnt pass current and prevents [ reduces ] corrosion/oxidation that causes high resistance [ heat ] within connectors , we use a lot at work , particularly where connectors are under tractor cabs and there is a lot of wet dirt in the winter time.has lots of other uses as well. 
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Where can I buy that stuff?
    Does it have a Brand name?
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Dow Corning have a product I use.
    As Retroman & Bruce allude to, when you have an understanding of the principles & take the little extra time to use these things, (meaning doing the job properly like an electrical trade bloke does), it saves you heartache in future.
    I stress that it is applied around the electrical connection contacts to protect from moisture entering, not on the actual contact mating surfaces.


    20200415_215426.jpg
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    4 years ago
    Bloody Good stuff that!  Used truckloads in my time in mobile a radio (RT) repair. 
  • brucefxdl
    brucefxdl
    4 years ago
    Quoting Wideglider on 15 Apr 2020 11:59 AMedited: 15 Apr 2020 02:01 PM

    Dow Corning have a product I use.

    As Retroman & Bruce allude to, when you have an understanding of the principles & take the little extra time to use these things, (meaning doing the job properly like an electrical trade bloke does), it saves you heartache in future.
    I stress that it is applied around the electrical connection contacts to protect from moisture entering, not on the actual contact mating surfaces.


    20200415_215426.jpg
    yep, on pins/recievers,most of the brands claim no deteriation to connector seals.allows for contact between pins and recievers,so passes current where its intended but not transient current travel to external allowing for current drain or shorts within the connector.you dont need much,just a light coat,which is not easy when dealing with things this small,so just bung it on and all good.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    looks like it could get messy if you slap the  grease everywhere
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 16 Apr 2020 12:50 PMedited: 16 Apr 2020 12:54 PM

    looks like it could get messy if you slap the  grease everywhere

    BB, you're are the only one with the tendency of saying "slap the grease everywhere!"
    As Bruce says, just a light coat. This stuff is used on the factory assembly line, it's standard electrical practice. 
    It's a smear around the internal pins, not on the outside casing of the connector, you wouldn't even know it's there.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Fair enough. Youse  have convinced me. 
    I will buy a tube of it next time I am in a shop. Hopefully today. 
Topics