TRF Forums

After dropping my WR250F on its left side I cannot get it too run. The red light by the ignition switch will not light up and the clocks will not come on, when I kick the bike over it runs for several seconds, the speedo shows the bike at 160mph whilst stationary, the red light on the ignition switch comes on.

When the bike is running it cant be revved because it cuts out, it will not start or run with the choke pulled put.

Anyone got any ideas before I have to pay a mechanic. I think I may have an electrical problem and possibly a carb problem.

I am a trf member, I am based in Manchester can anyone recommend a good mechanic if I cant fix it.

Thanks Neil

I would recommend Tim at Dirtbike Den in Macclesfield, excellent service. He's just sorted a starting problem on my WR250 (valve clearances were the cause) and the bike starts first time now.

Hi Neil,

it looks like you've possibly got a couple of probs there, but here are a few thoughts:

Red light means ignition is on. Without this bike shouldn't run. Clocks are on same fuse so no clocks backs up no light on ignition.
Red Light should go out once bike started not come on.
Won't start or run with choke pulled out sounds like a possible carb/jetting issue, but its not that cold so choke may not be needed. Would say thats a side problem to fix after the electrical one. As to cutting out, would say that is related to the electrical problem.

I would suggest looking for damaged wiring/shorts on the side it was dropped on. Get it so the ignition light comes on when it should then go from there. Check if the igntion fuse (under seat) has blown, if it has it may explain why no ignition light/computer when there should be, also if blown due to a short may explain why it comes on when running. Also well worth checking the actual ignition switch has not been damaged in the drop as a short in that could cause these symptoms by acting as a 'kill switch'.

If totally stuffed, disconnect wiring harness and run new wires to ignition so you know where you are at.

Its a wiring problem primarily not a carb problem, carbs don't make lights/computer do wrong things, nor make bike dead cut when revved. Do the wiring then do the carb (if needed).

It will prob be a proper trial and error job, but getting the ignition sorted is the key.

Good luck

CB

Something to check - trace the battery lead to the main fuse. Check all the connectors in that area - clean etc. Check the main wire to the solonoid - this often comes loose - clean anyway.
Let everyone know how you get on.

I dropped mine on the same side,killswitch looked ok but bike kept cutting out.
To check, follow lead from killswitch to where it plugs into a multi block behind the headlight and unplug.

Killswitch is always a good idea to check with a 'cutting out' problem. In this case though, I think it might be a red herring. Killswitch will cut the engine but I can't see how it would cut the electrics to ignition & clocks (I could be wrong though - often am )

Thanks for suggestions will be trying Wednesday night when I actually have a spare ten minutes

Once i found the fuse box and leads under a pile of insulation tape, i found a blown fuse, didn't realise that it had a spare, this blew as soon as a i put it in, then bought a couple of new fuses and now it runs perfectly.

Thanks for the advice Neil

Glad it was something simple and you are running again Neil.

You have certainly identified the fault (blown fuse) but, from your write-up, don't say whether you have actually fixed the cause of the fault

If the fuse blew initially and then blew the replacement, something caused it to happen. It sounds like you may have an intermittent 'short' somewhere, probably caused by the drop. Better to spend a bit of time in the garage trying to establish whether there is still a leccy problem than to start blowing fuses again out on the trail (imho).

Cheers. CB

Stripped off all the panels, and tank then checked all the wires, unpluged everything cleaned it all, plugged everything back togeather again, everyting was okay until I fell off then it just blew again. There is no visual damage to the wiring or any components tried wiggling wires to try and set the fault off.

Have even disconnected the lights and that still blows fuses.

Just cant find the fault or seem or to simulate it when I want the fault. Time for a mechanic.