Brammo Owners Forum

Brammo Empulse Discussion => Brammo Empulse => Topic started by: Tinker on August 01, 2021, 09:45:26 PM

Title: Won't run, relay?
Post by: Tinker on August 01, 2021, 09:45:26 PM
Hi, I have a Brammo Empulse that won't run. When I turn key to on system boots and checks out OK. Then when I push the ON  switch on the throttle assembly nothing changes and the ON light does not light. It did this intermittently over a few weeks then would start and run fine. Now multiple tries and no go!
Where should I look first? Run/start switch (it clicks)?  Is there a relay somewhere? Wires from hand switch to control module?
I am comfortable with electrical wiring but I'm not familiar with this bike.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Danny
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: empulsefan on August 02, 2021, 02:59:22 AM
Hello Danny,

 it's a bit quiet on this forum! I would check if the "on"button stil works fine so remove headlight,search
for the connector, disconnect and use a wire to shortcut to simulate the button.
goodluck!
Gerry
(I removed and cleaned 4 relays in the left fusebox, my bike didn't start at all sometimes.looks ok now!)
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: EV promise on August 02, 2021, 03:24:37 AM
Hi, sad to hear of your troubles. It appears to me that the grey start switch goes only to the VCU so you may have to disconnect and check the VCU connection. (2F middle row inner right!) The on/off kill switch also goes to the VCU but has a branch into the 125v fuse box were it passes through a 5A fuse and to the only relay in that box. Test relay and fuse. I'm not sure how helpful this is but be careful in the 125v fusebox if you have the power on. The fuse  has battery voltage as does relay terminals 30 and 87.
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: Tinker on August 06, 2021, 12:51:39 PM
Thank you for these replies. I will jumper switch and also check connection to VCU.
I have downloaded the service manual but don't see a wiring diagram, is there one available?
Good to know others have had a problem that simple cleaning of contact solved.
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: empulsefan on August 06, 2021, 03:27:07 PM
http://www.environ-systems.de/brammo-empulse-r.html
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: siai47 on August 06, 2021, 04:03:10 PM
I know that there should be a warning light but---how about the kickstand safety switch?  It might also deserve a look as it is in a nasty place.
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: Tinker on August 07, 2021, 12:36:31 PM
Turns out it was the easy fix. Cleaning the run/kill switch did the trick.
Thank you for all the replies and for the link to the wiring diagram, I'm sure it will come in handy.
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: Tinker on August 17, 2021, 01:38:03 PM
 :-[  I spoke to soon! Intermittent  No start is there now almost always. I cleaned up all the contacts in the start button and it tests out with a continuity tester.
Is there a low voltage power source 12V that I can attach a power probe to when the key is in on position? That would make tracing the start signal much easier. I will try cleaning up the fuse panel and swapping the relays around in case the relay is intermittent. I also haven't gotten access to the handlebar switch connector, I will try to find it and clean it up as well. Any thing else to try?
It seems like it must be a simple problem but I haven't found it yet.
Thanks in advance.
Danny
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: empulsefan on August 18, 2021, 01:29:30 PM
Hello Danny.
sorry to hear! don't have the solution though.
My problem also still excist, starts sometimes, sometimes only the parking light(and rearlight).
Hope someone can help us out.

Gerry
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: siai47 on August 18, 2021, 07:16:43 PM
Have you tried plugging in the charging cable and if so what happens?
Title: Re: Won't run, relay?
Post by: Tinker on August 19, 2021, 10:18:58 PM
It charges fine with with the cable.
When I turn the key on all lights cycle through startup as normal. Then the start button has no effect. Today I cleaned every connector I could find and inspected the wiring harness. I also probed the switches looking for 12V but the I realized that they may just send a ground signal to the ECM . I also moved relays around in case one was bad. Still nothing. I will look at the ignition switch wiring next.
If I can't get this sorted out is there someone in the SF bay area that can test the electronics?
Thanks for your help.