[KBrodock]

I've got a 1995 Intruder 800 with two problems: it stalls and it then doesn't restart for a while. Here's the scenario:

Riding along, when I'm slowing to a stop, I'll pull the clutch in while braking and sometimes it stalls. When I go to restart it, the lights are on, but when I press the starter button, nothing happens. Nothing. So I usually turn it off and on a few times, work the clutch a bit and then randomly, it'll start and off I go again... 'til the next stop light.

Can anyone help me troubleshoot these two problems? I'm picking up a wiring diagram tomorrow because it seems to me that this has got to be electrical in nature. If so, are there any areas I should concentrate on first?

I appreciate any help. This hasn't been a good week for vehicles.... my car blew a seal (or something) in the cam.

-Keith

 

[Trapper]

Kickstand switch malfunction?
Clutch switch malfunction? (since you fiddle with the clutch, maybe the switch that makes you pull the clutch to start it is sticking.)

 

[Gixxerdale]

That's going to be a hard to find problem, since you'll need to get it to occure while metering the circuits. Do you have a factory manual to refer to specific specs and value ranges? It could be as simple as a dirty spade lug in the ignition system. Something that older Honda VFR's are known for! If you have the time clean and reseat all your connections. A weak or dirty contact might be all it is.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Might be the kickstand switch causing it to die. But it should affect starting it unless you are in gear.

 

[KBrodock]

I don't think it's the kickstand switch only because I would expect it to stall when I hit hard bumps too. I don't get why it would stall only when pulling in the clutch when slowing. If it were a loose connection (and I'm not ruling that out), I would think that any bumps would cause the problem too.... or perhaps because I'm at speed, the bike continues to turn over and I don't notice it??

Keep the ideas coming.....

-Keith

 

[DrBob]

I would focus on the clutch safety switch for starters, and then the kickstand switch. Also, check your negative battery cable: Intruders are famous for the negative cable getting a weeee bit loose and causing all kinds of electrical gremlins, like stalling when the brake light lights up or when you turn on the turn signal. Check also inside the left side switch box for shorted/ loose connections.

 

[dirtyfingers]

Agreed, clutch lockout switch. You can disconnect it at the clutch lever and jump the two wires until you get a new switch.