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85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 5:34 pm
by Father of Spree
Hey guys. Back with another issue I can't figure out.

So I just got my 85 spree to idle correctly today and had it running.

I was messing with the horn because that's the last thing that isn't working. Took the horn off and looked it over, then attached it back to the spree. There is a screw on the backside of the horn that says up and down, but I don't know what that is for and I did turn it in and out.

Then when I went to start it again, I noticed I had no power. No brake light, no blinkers. Nothing. I had it running earlier today and now it's dead.

It has a new battery.
New fuse (right next to battery 7.5 amp.. had an 8 in it and the manual says 7 amp I believe.)
New spark plug and plug resistor cap.

I went over all the electrical connections for everything, most specifically around the battery and ignition switch (key switch). Even took the frame ground off to inspect and clean.

I'm stumped. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks again for the help.

Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 11:28 pm
by motormike
Replace the brake light...if that bulb is burnt out, it will not start.

Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:05 pm
by Father of Spree
Well, the bulb looks good. Both filaments are in tact within the bulb, no blackening from carbon. No noise of loose filament when shaking.

I did notice one of the wires was pretty frayed on the back of the taillight. So I took it apart, trimmed the wires and re-crimped the wires to the little copper contacts where the bulb connects. I also trimmed the third wire for the taillight and put on a new disconnect.

Hooked the battery back up and touched the bulb to the contacts and still no power.

Once I took the taillight apart, it became apparent that you can do a bulb replacement or replace the full assembly, not really splice wires. I feel like the wires are crimped to the copper tight and the bullet connectors are all hooked to the right colors.

Unless you guys have any ideas. I'll just sit on it and wait for an idea or at some point but a new assembly.
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Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:18 pm
by Father of Spree
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Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:13 pm
by Father of Spree
I was digging on the forum and found this I've been digging on this forum to find info and found this to be true about my spree.
Ultraliner wrote: Tue May 31, 2016 3:09 am If you test with your multimeter on the Ohms range between the Black/white wire coming off the ignition switch and anywhere on the frame or engine of the scooter and you have continuity then you wont have any spark
I tested the black/white wire where it connects to the starter/key switch and the engine and it tested at about 0 ohms meaning there is continuity, right? I'm not sure of the implication there but I'm just grasping at straws to figure out why this thing doesn't have power anymore.

Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:03 pm
by Father of Spree
Update: I changed the tail light bulb and still no power.

Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2021 5:21 pm
by Father of Spree
Got it fixed. Electrical issues are annoying to figure out.

What ended up working for me to figure out my issue was using my multimeter on the ohms setting and testing continuity between points. I found that the connection right before the fuse wasn't making a good connection. Took the wire cap off, re-stripped the wires and put a new cap on and I have power again.

Re: 85 spree - no power at all when turning key on.

Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2021 12:10 pm
by motormike
Happy for your success... :thumbwink:
Owning a scooter is a process.
Very glad that you kept after it and the
multi-meter was your friend.