Electrical System; Continuity Test; Testing For A Short With A Self-Powered Test Light Or Ohmmeter; Testing For A Short With A Test Light Or Voltmeter - Yamaha V star 1100 Owner's Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING
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Voltage drop
Battery
Fan motor
4. The voltmeter should indicate 0 volts. If there is
a drop of 1 volt or more, there is a problem within
the circuit. A voltage drop reading of 12 volts indi-
cates an open in the circuit.

Continuity Test

A continuity test is used to determine the integrity
of a circuit, wire or component. A circuit has conti-
nuity if it forms a complete circuit; if there are no
opens in either the electrical wires or components
within the circuit. A circuit with an open has no
continuity.
This type of test can be performed with a
self-powered test light or an ohmmeter. An ohmme-
ter gives the best results. When using an analog
ohmmeter, calibrate the meter by touching the leads
together and turning the calibration knob until the
meter reads zero.
1. Disconnect the battery negative lead.
2. Attach one test lead (test light or ohmmeter) to
one end of the part of the circuit to be tested.
3. Attach the other test lead to the other end of the
part or the circuit to be tested.
4. The self-powered test light comes on if there is
continuity. An ohmmeter reads 0 or very low resis-
tance if there is continuity. A reading of infinite re-
sistance indicates no continuity; the circuit has an
open.
Testing for a Short with a
Self-powered Test Light or Ohmmeter
1. Disconnect the battery negative lead.
2. Remove the blown fuse from the fuse panel.
3. Connect one test lead of the test light or ohmme-
ter to the load side (battery side) of the fuse terminal
in the fuse panel.
4. Connect the other test lead to a good ground.
Make sure the part used for a ground is not insulated
with a rubber gasket or rubber grommet.
5. With the self-powered test light or ohmmeter at-
tached to the fuse terminal and ground, wiggle the
wiring harness of the suspect circuit at 15.2 cm (6
in.) increments. Start next to the fuse panel and
work away from the fuse panel.
6. Watch the self-powered test light or ohmmeter
as you progress along the harness. If the test light
blinks or the needle on the ohmmeter moves when
the harness is wiggled, there is a short-to-ground at
that point in the harness.
Testing For a Short with a
Test Light or Voltmeter
1. Remove the blown fuse from the fuse panel.
2. Connect the test light or voltmeter across the
fuse terminals in the fuse panel. Turn the ignition
switch on and check for battery voltage.
3. With the test light or voltmeter attached to the
fuse terminals, wiggle the wiring harness of the sus-
pect circuit at 15.2 cm (6 in.) intervals. Start next to
the fuse panel and work away from the panel.
4. Watch the test light or voltmeter as you progress
along the harness. If the test light blinks or if the
needle on the voltmeter moves when the harness is
wiggled, there is a short-to-ground at that point in
the harness.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical troubleshooting can be very time-con-
suming and frustrating without proper knowledge
and a suitable plan. Refer to the wiring diagrams at
the end of the book for component and connector
identification. Use the wiring diagrams to trace the
current paths from the power source through the cir-
cuit components to ground. Also check any circuits
that share the same fuse, ground or switch. If the
other circuits work properly and the shared wiring
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