Ignition switch/Start problem

[nosaint7]

Twice in the last week turned key to "on" and NOTHING lites up, start button has no response.  1st time it did it had to leave bike at work and caught a ride home with a friend.  Came back 2+ hours later with trailer and the freekin' thing started right up.  Got home, pulled in the garage and turned it off.  Tried the key immediately and AGAIN NOTHING!  Let it sit until the next night.  Tried the key (but did NOT try to start it) - lit up as normal.  Rode it tonight about 5 miles to meet some friends - wanted to move it to a better parking spot about 5 minutes after I got there - NO joy. Waited about 30 mins - tried again, NOTHING.  Called a bud to bring his trailer.  He called me back about 10 minutes later - trailer has a flat and NO spare...   Tried the key again, got lights and it started.  Rode it home, pulled into garage, shut it down.  Immediately turned the key back to on, the dash lights flashed on for a fraction of a second then went out.  Went inside, had a soda, paid some bills.  About an hour later, went back into garage and tried the key again - dash lights come on. 

Its a 2003 C10 with less than 7k miles on it (got it about 15 months ago with 2k on it).  PO changed the oil more often than he rode it. 

What I've checked/noticed so far:
Battery connections - good, no corrosion - battery is just over 1 year old.
Kickstand switch is NOT sticking - put it up on center stand, stuck my head under and checked.
Clock has NOT lost power. 

OK - any suggestions on what to look for?     

[George R. Young]

Blurbs on the J-Box in the Wiki section
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=565.0

Sounds like the Main Relay or a connection to it is wonky. There's a temporary workaround in the Diagnosis - Temp Fix part.

[nosaint7]

Thx.  Will check J-box in the a.m.  Familiar with funky relays - used to drive old Volvo cages.

[JDM]

You might want to make sure the 30 amp fuse is making good contact and that fuse holder tines are tight in the fuse box. HTH JD 

[GeeBeav]

Could be the ignition switch. Try jiggling the key next time.

[nosaint7]

Will check fuse connections while I check J-box.  Ignition switch/key has been "jiggled" a LOT with no change in outcome.

[T Cro ®]

Here is a little something I wrote a while back and a picture that should help.... Your problem sounds like it is in the MAIN FUSE and/or its associated wiring

[Ron Dawg]

That looks very helpful for "sometime." Thanks Tony. I'll save that.
Ron

[pat8228]

No idea what it could be other than a short, but I had a similar thing happen. Came out to leave work turn key and nothing. Turn key off and on several times still nothing. Went to take the bike off the center kickstand and when I shook the bike forwards the lights flashed. I then shook the bike again and everything came back on. Knock on wood thats the only time it done that. Looked around for shorts and bad connections but didn't find anything.

[nosaint7]

OK - Started with the simple stuff and it appears I found the problem - 30 amp fuse VERY loose in holder (dang near fell out in my hand).  (Thx JD!)  Pulled the J-box out, drilled out the plastic "rivets", opened it up and very gently tightened ALL of the fuse clips.  While I had it apart I inspected the solder points and paths - all look "OK".  Re-assembled, re-installed J-box and the bike started 3 times in a row.  Will test ride the bike tomorrow as it's RAINING right now in Tulsa. 

T-Cro - thx for the detailed checklist and instructions.  Printed a copy and stuffed it in with my roadside kit.