Relay Just Failed

[Goosey]

So I had the Roadrunner in the garage for a couple weeks when the temps dropped into the 30-50 range for a spell, and the temps went up this week to the 70's again. Great weekend for a ride, put in the battery and started her up no problem, ...shut her down to get ready. After a couple hours and interuptions later...click. You know the sound? Checked the connectors, fine. Crossed the poles and she starts right up again. So, lucky me the Baron has a brand new relay and I cannibalized the poor thing so I got my weekend riding in. :thumb:

Anyway, just wondered if it's pretty common to have the relay just go bad like that. Had no issues leading up to failure this time ( the original in the Baron was always quirky), just poof. Worked at 2:00, dead at 5:00. Probably going to order a spare this time with the replacement.

[90GTVert]

It's very common for electrical components to go bad with no warning at all.

[Goosey]

Since you take longer road trips, do you keep those things on hand? Relay, CDI, Regulator, Coil...
In a pinch though, I could have at least crossed the poles to get her started. Always bring a set of screwdrivers and wrenches that you use often.

[90GTVert]

I probably should, but no I don't carry that stuff. So far I've had 1 failure of the CDI and stator on the road. They both failed at the same time I guess, because I had to replace both to get it going again. I was just riding along and it shut off. I've had 2 different TFI modules (part of some Ford ignition systems) go bad in 2 different cars. Both times just walked outside and no start, no spark. Both times I was away from home. I had an MSD ignition go up on the way to a car show and leave me needing a 50 mile ride home on a rollback. I stopped at a mall on the way for a friend and when we came out it wouldn't start. With that kind of luck, you'd think I'd have some electronics tucked away in my scoots.

Maybe we should do what they do in NASCAR... two ignition systems, if one fails you flip a switch and use the other. ;D

[Goosey]

I left stator off just because it'd be a pain to change on the road. Though, I really could actually fit the 12v impact, and air pump, hand tools AND spare parts in my storage trunk. Not with my purse though As it was, I had been delayed by 2 unexpected visitors, one required a quick run with the truck to pick up some great roadside furniture, then the bad relay...I told myself 1 more thing and I was not supposed to go for a ride ...all was well

[speedy1125]

i had a relay stick in cold weather once. it was a 96 Dodge Ram 3500 Wrecker and i could tell the starter stayed engaged after it cranked, then when i turned the key off it kept turning over.

i have put tons of relays no-start tow-ins over the years and like Brent said, it just happens. that was the first and only time i have seen one go bad in the 'on' position, 99.9 % of the time they wont work at all.

[speedy1125]

i will add that many times an electrical failure will occur after the vehicle has been sitting awhile, ive seen more electrical problems out of vehicles that have been left to sit than from ones that have been used regularly. by this i mean months and years, not weeks. i guess it was just its time.

[Goosey]

The one in the Baron, it would fail when it rained out, or washed the scooter. Total fail after the tree fell on the scooter and shook it up some. LOL, so I at least had a new relay to use Scrappy has them on Ebay for $9.95 free shipping, I will def order 2 this time and keep one handy.
That is why they tell you to use the off/kill switch as a habit in the motorcycle class. Use it or lose it. Lack of use causing failure so you won't have it when you need it. In this case it was less than a couple weeks. Just it's time.
Hmm, stuck in the on possition, you had to disconnect the battery then, right?