Author Topic: Sudden loss of power (and: reflections on being stranded by the side of the road  (Read 9347 times)

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Rich Mintz

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I'm in a tow truck being taken to the closest thing to a RE dealer hereabouts (Annapolis). Lost all power (engine and battery) suddenly at highway speed on a 2010 C5 in good repair and coasted to a safe stop.

Battery is fine (accessories work) but no power to the instruments.

What are your best guesses -- something as simple as a master fuse?
« Last Edit: April 04, 2013, 06:07:01 pm by Rich Mintz »
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #1 on: April 03, 2013, 09:03:12 pm
Check the battery leads, they might be cracked.  Also, right under the ignition key is a quick disconnect that can pop off, you'll lose power to everything.  If that's it put it back together and zip tie it.

Good luck!

Scott


barenekd

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Reply #2 on: April 03, 2013, 09:05:02 pm
I'd check the fuses first. However when mine quit like that with a blown fuse, I put a second one in and it blew, too. I got the bike home and started looking for a short. I found a couple of suspicious areas and improved the insulation and routing on the spots, but I never did really find positive indication of a short. I put a real American fuse in it and never had any more problems. I ended up changing all the fuses.
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« Last Edit: April 04, 2013, 06:18:55 pm by barenekd »
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foggy95

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Reply #3 on: April 03, 2013, 10:00:38 pm
Just a guess, side stand switch, or have you already disabled that (like most of us).
Not sure what the symptoms would be if that acted up while underway.

Good luck, we're riding vicariously with you!
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motorat

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Reply #4 on: April 03, 2013, 11:46:18 pm
that happened to me also.
it was my positive batery lead.
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Rich Mintz

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Reply #5 on: April 03, 2013, 11:47:31 pm
Power returned to the instruments when we checked the bike after towing. Engine tried to turn over but wouldn't catch. (Notably, with clutch pulled in, engine wouldn't even turn over at all.)

All the fuses look fine.

The towing guy (who has some experience) agreed with me that the EFI is the missing link. Maybe a short blew my ECU (whatever it does) and so the EFI can't operate?

Towed it to a shop, they wouldn't touch it. So I rented a moving truck, we secured it inside, and I'm driving it the 240 miles to NYC, where I'll unload it outside my dealer.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #6 on: April 03, 2013, 11:52:03 pm
Sad :(


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Reply #7 on: April 03, 2013, 11:54:47 pm
It seems that the C5s seem to have more of the electr-ics/onics issues. Maybe they sell far more C5's to account for the seeming predisposition.


JVS

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Reply #8 on: April 04, 2013, 12:08:02 am
Bad luck..

But I'm hoping and kind of have the feeling that the ECU is okay and it is still something to do with the battery/electrical side. But the engine not turning over..try the kick start?
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foggy95

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Reply #9 on: April 04, 2013, 12:45:32 am
Bad luck..

But I'm hoping and kind of have the feeling that the ECU is okay and it is still something to do with the battery/electrical side. But the engine not turning over..try the kick start?

2010 C5 = no kicker .....
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GreenMachine

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Reply #10 on: April 04, 2013, 12:55:40 am
wow that stinks and u were on a roll there..I spent the afternoon dusting off the harden crud from the rear tire and underneath...Installed the charged up battery and after cycling the piston a few times she fired right up..I died out at the stop sign and after playing around sawed that I accidentally hit the choke lever....Too bad u have to u haul it back, its under warranty...No dealers that close to D.C./Northern Va....GM
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JVS

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Reply #11 on: April 04, 2013, 06:24:15 am
2010 C5 = no kicker .....

Geesh! Always keep forgetting that  :-X I'm so accustomed to Enfield always having a kick-starter. Forgive me peeps
« Last Edit: April 04, 2013, 06:26:33 am by JVS »
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Rich Mintz

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Reply #12 on: April 04, 2013, 06:56:23 am
Made it home, parked bike outside my dealer, returned the truck. Here's the kicker: upon arrival the bike started up fine. So I'm guessing it's the side stand kill switch.

If that deployed while in motion, it would kill the engine, right?. Don't know why I also lost electrical power.

I wouldn't drive the bike in that condition -- I'll insist the dealer bypass the kill switch.

More when I know...
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #13 on: April 04, 2013, 06:59:50 am
The switch internals get wonky, a slight jolt can kill the bike.  I suspect you've got a loose or broken connector somewhere.  Try turning the bars and bouncing on the seat to see if the power falters.

Scott


wildbill

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Reply #14 on: April 04, 2013, 01:35:07 pm
did you check to see if the roll-over switch was loose - just under the rear of the seat