Also, I happen to test the orange & light/blue wires for the turn signals and they both are lighting up with power even though the handlebar controls/switch is not engaged...
Green wire is showing power?
So I am working on my 4th (1978) CX500 (DEL) project. We rebuilt the carbs, sprayed some starter fluid, and it came back alive. However, we are replacing the headlight and the new one wasn't working. We noticed that the Green "Ground" wire is powered. I tested other green common "grounds" and they also are lighting up as power. Has anyone run into this issue before? The odd thing is that none of the fuses has blown. Weird right?
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How are you testing that the green wire is powered?
Disconnect all connectors in the front of the bike and put the negative on battery -, then probe the connectors and look for voltage, then start connecting different parts one by one and probe again to see if there is any change.
If you have voltage on the connectors on the front of the bike when all is disconnected , start probing just after the battery connectors and try disconnecting stuff there too.
That should narrow it down.
If you have voltage on the connectors on the front of the bike when all is disconnected , start probing just after the battery connectors and try disconnecting stuff there too.
That should narrow it down.
The green wires should be permanently connected to battery minus / frame ground and so always show zero or nearly zero volts when measuring green to battery minus . If and only if the green wiring is not connected to this ground can you expect to see 12V on green wires. Unpredictabel electrical things may happen.
Bottom line is check green to battery ground continuiity.
For testing use a voltmeter. Do NOT just connect green to ground somewhere, this may cause ground loops (multiple connections) or blow fuse/cabling/battery if there is a short circuit hiding somewhere. If you want to connect green to ground but are not sure where the real problem is use a fused wire to be safe untill you are sure.
Bottom line is check green to battery ground continuiity.
For testing use a voltmeter. Do NOT just connect green to ground somewhere, this may cause ground loops (multiple connections) or blow fuse/cabling/battery if there is a short circuit hiding somewhere. If you want to connect green to ground but are not sure where the real problem is use a fused wire to be safe untill you are sure.
Thank you everyone! - update: I connected a designated cable from the battery negative terminal to the green wire and the cable now doesn’t read power from the test light anymore. However, the oil light came on my dash? Love a basket case barn find 😅
The green wires should be permanently connected to battery minus / frame ground and so always show zero or nearly zero volts when measuring green to battery minus . If and only if the green wiring is not connected to this ground can you expect to see 12V on green wires. Unpredictabel electrical things may happen.
Bottom line is check green to battery ground continuiity.
For testing use a voltmeter. Do NOT just connect green to ground somewhere, this may cause ground loops (multiple connections) or blow fuse/cabling/battery if there is a short circuit hiding somewhere. If you want to connect green to ground but are not sure where the real problem is use a fused wire to be safe untill you are sure.
If the engine isn't running the oil light should be on.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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