My California III has no electric through the ignition switch...no dash lights or any other lights and no starter. Battery shows 12.5 volts. Ignition switch bench tests fine. Positive wire to ignition switch shows 12.5 volts. Ground wire to ignition switch shows continuity to frame. No blown fuses. Throwing this out there in the hopes that someone who knows these bikes better than I do can point me in the direction of what the usual suspects might be in this circumstance. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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California III No Electric
- Thread starter Bird123
- Start date
The ignition switch is a weak point in these CA IIIs and all California models. Too much current is pushed through them. If you are using an ohm meter on the bench, that isn't telling you the complete story. Test for voltage where you should have it. Schematics are available in the downloads if you make a donation. . See the site support section. Also the PDF file this thread may help you to troubleshoot. https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/troubleshooting-circuits.3001/
Also an additional question, is your bike a carb model for fuel injected?
Also an additional question, is your bike a carb model for fuel injected?
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Vagrant
GT Reference
I always start with KISS. Keep it simple, stupid.
Side stand switch, Nuetral for sure, work the kill switch a few times, broken wire at the ignition switch. .
Side stand switch, Nuetral for sure, work the kill switch a few times, broken wire at the ignition switch. .
Side stand, neutral, and engine cut off won't stop the dash from illuminating. Broken wire would.
Brian UK
GT Reference
There is a Cali III carb schematic by Carl Allison. https://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/schematics/1987_California_III.gif
Thanks so much for the responses! Yes, bike is a carb model. I was hoping that there might be a reply with an easy fix like "Check the 'frixmadigit' relay cause they always go bad in that model". I've done an ohm meter test on the ignition switch but not a current check so that will float to the top of the trouble shooting tree on this. It will get solved eventually. Thank again!
Did you resolve this?
Unfortunately, just another "Drive By Poster"...
Sigh, that's a shame.
Thanks for checking! This bike misbehaved on my last ride of the season at our winter home which is where it's stored. I did not have time to delve more deeply into the issue before our annual northbound migratory trek. It is patiently awaiting my return so I can fiddle further with the issue. Actually looking forward to it. Love the input of folks on this forum who are way more knowledgeable then me. Thanks again for checking and I'll let you know how it goes in December.
Does your Cali' have a distributor, or is it electronic ignition?
If it's electronic it could be either Digiplex or Motoplatt.
What is your definition of misbehaving?
If it's electronic it could be either Digiplex or Motoplatt.
What is your definition of misbehaving?
This is my original post which describes the circumstances......"My California III has no electric through the ignition switch...no dash lights or any other lights and no starter. Battery shows 12.5 volts. Ignition switch bench tests fine. Positive wire to ignition switch shows 12.5 volts. Ground wire to ignition switch shows continuity to frame. No blown fuses. Throwing this out there in the hopes that someone who knows these bikes better than I do can point me in the direction of what the usual suspects might be in this circumstance. Thanks in advance for any advice.".........Electronic ignition, not sure which of the two flavors you mentioned. Would that make a difference in the symptoms described above?
It might do, but, as you don't have volts through the ignition switch, maybe not. I'm no expert, still trying to fathom the intermittent problem on my bike, same as yous.
How did it misbehave, misfiring, engine cut out?
my rev counter needle started bouncing around, then the bike cut out.
How did it misbehave, misfiring, engine cut out?
my rev counter needle started bouncing around, then the bike cut out.
Well, we won't know what he finds until December when he gets back to the bike. Let's wait for feedback from him on what he finds in December. Everything without some feedback will just be conjecture.
Turns out there is a schematic and please note the banner at the top of the page about external references. https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/resources/1988_california_1000_carb.118/
I've got that, and my bike is Digiplex. But, it shows a relay for the headlight, mine doesn't have one! Wonder if there are any other errors? I suppose, to be fair, Guzzi made them with points, & Motoplatt or Digiplex ignition, and carbs or fuel injection, so any wiring schematic is only perhaps a "guide"
Only other relay is on the other side of the bike which is used for the Digiplex.
Only other relay is on the other side of the bike which is used for the Digiplex.
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So....this is an overdue response as to the resolution of this electrical gremlin. Should point out that I'm far from being an expert motorcycle mechanic, but I have been a motorcycle hobbyist and fix-em-myself-when-they-break for over fifty years, including several restorations. With that as context, there is perhaps a reminder here that may in some small way benefit others.
By way of background, the bike had lost all electrical power without warning. The troubleshooting efforts described above had been completed with no resolve of the issue. I had been working upstream (current-wise) from the perceived issue (no power at the ignition switch) because the battery test post-to-post-showed proper voltage. Furthermore, I had previously in the season serviced the battery cable connections at the posts with dielectric grease and confirmed that they were fastened securely.
As it turned out, the culprit was a failed connection of the ground cable at the battery. Once cleaned and re-lubed it was good to go.
Hopefully my failure in Electrical Troubleshooting 101 will be a reminder to someone else.
By way of background, the bike had lost all electrical power without warning. The troubleshooting efforts described above had been completed with no resolve of the issue. I had been working upstream (current-wise) from the perceived issue (no power at the ignition switch) because the battery test post-to-post-showed proper voltage. Furthermore, I had previously in the season serviced the battery cable connections at the posts with dielectric grease and confirmed that they were fastened securely.
As it turned out, the culprit was a failed connection of the ground cable at the battery. Once cleaned and re-lubed it was good to go.
Hopefully my failure in Electrical Troubleshooting 101 will be a reminder to someone else.
Get rid of the dielectric grease it is non conductive. Do not use it between battery post and cable. Clean connections then if you must grease, use Vaseline or chassis grease over the completed connection.