Electronics fried after wash??

[Jkwan0902]

Hey guys and gals, so I have a bit of a problem. I washed my SX SE the other day and when I went to start the bike today the TFT display and lights for my tach don’t work, blinkers don’t work and high beam doesn’t work. She started up just fine but seems most on board electronics are fried. What’s your guys thoughts??

[danham]

I don't have my SE yet, so take this with a grain of salt, but I have been poring over wiring diagrams and pix of wiring once Tupperware is removed -- to get me ready for radar and GPS installation. What I have seen is a frightening assortment of multi-connectors that are only somewhat shielded from the weather (or wash spray).

In other words, before deciding anything got fried, I'd be tempted to open up the fairings and check those connectors. See if one or two may have had a small amount of corrosion or crud or looseness that was not causing problems until they got wet.

-dan

[Jkwan0902]

I don't have my SE yet, so take this with a grain of salt, but I have been poring over wiring diagrams and pix of wiring once Tupperware is removed -- to get me ready for radar and GPS installation. What I have seen is a frightening assortment of multi-connectors that are only somewhat shielded from the weather (or wash spray).

In other words, before deciding anything got fried, I'd be tempted to open up the fairings and check those connectors. See if one or two may have had a small amount of corrosion or crud or looseness that was not causing problems until they got wet.

-dan

Hey Dan, thanks for the input. Some of the guys on the fb page said it could be a popped fuse or it could be as simple as using an air compressor to blow the excess air out of that general area. I plan on checking it out when I get out of work and if I get it going I’ll pack the connectors under there with some dielectric grease. What’s your thoughts on that??

[keith zx]

a lot of people on other forums don't all agree with me , but I never intentionally get my bike wet, may occasionally get caught in a shower but that is about it, I have always kept my bikes in immaculate condition, infact just came in after polishing my exhaust cat box under the bike (sad I know !!) the most water my bike will see when cleaning it is a damp sponge , if it is filthy, apart from that wax sprays and waterless wax cleaners ,that's all they need ,

[Jkwan0902]

a lot of people on other forums don't all agree with me , but I never intentionally get my bike wet, may occasionally get caught in a shower but that is about it, I have always kept my bikes in immaculate condition, infact just came in after polishing my exhaust cat box under the bike (sad I know !!) the most water my bike will see when cleaning it is a damp sponge , if it is filthy, apart from that wax sprays and waterless wax cleaners ,that's all they need ,

I might go that route moving forward thanks for the input keith.

[UFO]

a lot of people on other forums don't all agree with me , but I never intentionally get my bike wet, may occasionally get caught in a shower but that is about it, I have always kept my bikes in immaculate condition, infact just came in after polishing my exhaust cat box under the bike (sad I know !!) the most water my bike will see when cleaning it is a damp sponge , if it is filthy, apart from that wax sprays and waterless wax cleaners ,that's all they need ,

I'm the same. I don't drench or spray my bikes when I wash them. I used hot water and micro-fiber towels to wipe everything down and dry it.

For two reasons, 1) to not soak all the electonics (which aren't as protected as they are in a car), 2) to prevent unnecessary water spotting.

[Zdude]

95% of the time I use waterless washes or quick detail sprays, always like the Honda cleaner, spray can sort of smelled like Coconut, when they sold that years ago. If I get caught out like last summer at Deals Gap, bike was filthy and I did use a carwash wand but was extremely careful not to spray in or around the dash or switches on the bars, also wheel bearings or up the exhaust. Never have had an issue in 50 years of cleaning motorcycles or way back, mini-bikes.

[keith zx]

rather than having my bike smell like a coconut , if I am stuck mr sheen furniture polish is as good as anything .

[danham]

I don't have my SE yet, so take this with a grain of salt, but I have been poring over wiring diagrams and pix of wiring once Tupperware is removed -- to get me ready for radar and GPS installation. What I have seen is a frightening assortment of multi-connectors that are only somewhat shielded from the weather (or wash spray).

In other words, before deciding anything got fried, I'd be tempted to open up the fairings and check those connectors. See if one or two may have had a small amount of corrosion or crud or looseness that was not causing problems until they got wet.

-dan

Hey Dan, thanks for the input. Some of the guys on the fb page said it could be a popped fuse or it could be as simple as using an air compressor to blow the excess air out of that general area. I plan on checking it out when I get out of work and if I get it going I’ll pack the connectors under there with some dielectric grease. What’s your thoughts on that??

Be careful with the compressor that you don’t force any remaining water into places it shouldn’t be - like electronics.

A light coating of dielectric on the connections wouldn’t hurt, but simply drying & cleaning is good enough. If you find corrosion or baked on dirt, use Deoxit cleaner and protectant. Expensive stuff, but works really well on bike electrics.

-dan

[Raddy47]

Someone mentioned it above.. check your fuses. I will add Check battery voltage while running and check rectifier. If all that is good, unplug connections check for corrosion. Or better yet.. if you’re still under warranty take it back to the shop let it be their headache not yours.