Triumphrat

jhickey9 · 06-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Washed my '03 Bonneville yesterday and now when I turn the key on, the bike starts up without hitting the start button. Also, the blinkers initially stayed on when I would flip to them (no blinking, just solid on), and now they just won't come on at all. I know I must have gotten something wet, but since I'm a newbie, I'm not sure where to start. I figure the lights might be a fuse, switch or relay issue, but the starter deal is confusing. Any help?
Thanks!

PAAS · 06-23-2008, 04:06 PM

Under your left hand side panel you'll find two black plastic cubes (about an inch cubed). One is your indicator (blinkers) relay, the other is the ignition relay (not the starter solenoid, which is the larger cylindrical device with the thick wires going to it). Sounds like you got water in them both to me. They unplug, so try drying them out by gently warming them in some way (not in the microwave!), or get some new ones if that doesn't do the trick. This is my best guess, but it could be water in the switches (less likely the fusebox from the symptoms you described).

Flaco · 06-23-2008, 09:00 PM

I cover my handle bars in baggies and always put a piece of tape over the key slot before I bath ol' Bonnie...

CAPTDON · 06-23-2008, 09:23 PM

These bikes are far from 'waterproof"!! Why I dry clean only!! Sounds like water in the switches? Dry them in the sun or w/ a hairdreyer? Youd think a bike made in England w/ all the wet weather there would be more water tolerent? Good luck!

tmurrayis · 06-24-2008, 12:44 AM

I had the exact same experience after washing the Bonnie. The problem went away once the switch dried out. Beware - if the bike starts when the key is turned the starter also will contiue to crank while the bike is running. I rode mine for about 10 minutes until I figured out what that noise was! I hope I did not do any damage.

Oh ya. I did the same with the signals. The relay is most likely wet. I went and got a replacement flasher for $12. The replacement Triumph (Hella relay) part is $73!!. I also believe you can take the relay apart and dry it out.

jhickey9 · 06-24-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmurrayis

I had the exact same experience after washing the Bonnie. The problem went away once the switch dried out. Beware - if the bike starts when the key is turned the starter also will contiue to crank while the bike is running. I rode mine for about 10 minutes until I figured out what that noise was! I hope I did not do any damage.

Oh ya. I did the same with the signals. The relay is most likely wet. I went and got a replacement flasher for $12. The replacement Triumph (Hella relay) part is $73!!. I also believe you can take the relay apart and dry it out.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I'm drying out the relays in the sun today and will try that out tonight. There's been mention of getting a replacement flasher/relay for way less than the Triumph one...where did you get it at? Do I just size one up at my local Autozone?
Thanks
Jhickey9

propforward · 06-24-2008, 11:58 AM

I always squirt a little WD40 in the switchgear on the handlebars, and also in the ignition switch after washing the bike. I also do not hose down the elctrical areas. I have always done this on all my bikes, and have never had a problem with corroded switches or anything.

Good luck!

marc hanna · 06-24-2008, 11:24 PM

Never use high pressure to wash it, such as a sprayer nozzle or a pressure washer. This forces water into all those places and can ****age gaskets and break seals. Just trickle the water or pour it from a bucket. The same goes for compressed air.

gaptooth grin · 06-24-2008, 11:25 PM

mine did that ,and i took a piece of eletrical tape and put it under the switch gear ,between it and the handlebar ,no problems since ,i think it was making cotact on the handlebar (m-bars) just enough to fire the starter as soon as the key was turned.