charge light on when key turned off

[slickster]

r65 1984 bike charge light on when key is turned off.  The battery is so low it needs to be jump started from another bike to be stared.  Once started runs fine.  Need new battery or just a good charge?

  
slicster

[Milo_357]

Just your charge light?  My head & tail light stay on until I flip the high beam switch!  If I forget, dead battery.  Anyone have idea what's up with that?

Dell

[montmil]

r65 1984 bike charge light on when key is turned off.  The battery is so low it needs to be jump started from another bike to be stared.  Once started runs fine.  Need new battery or just a good charge? slicster

You have a short in the electrical/charging system... somewhere.

Could be: the ignition switch itself; worn out brushes in the alternator; or possibly a bad diode in the diode board allowing a direct short to ground.

I'd look at brush condition first. The outside brush will be easy. The interior brush may require you to pull the stator. Good luck in the search.

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Took a look at a wiring diagram, the only way you can get the "GEN" light to come on with the key in the "OFF" position, is to have a failed diode on the diode board under the front cover .

One of the diodes has failed and is allowing electrical power to come back through it, when it should be stopping it .

[Bob_Roller]

Just your charge light?  My head & tail light stay on until I flip the high beam switch!  If I forget, dead battery.  Anyone have idea what's up with that?

Dell

Most likely you have a faulty headlight switch, the tail light isn't controlled by any switch, it's wire comes straight from a fuse .

My best guess is that a contact inside the switch is staying together and you are powering the taillight backwards through the circuit .