New Battery/Ground issue

[TURRRDS]

I just replaced the battery in my 1990 750, and now nothing works. I hooked up the battery, and only the neutral indicator light and the oil pressure light works. From reading around, I believe the issue is a bad ground wire. There is a very short wire coming from the negative battery cable that I believe is (or used to be) the ground. I also think I know where it goes, but it won't reach. My work has a good electrical shop, and I was thinking I could just take some scrap wire from there and use it as a ground wire. Not sure if that's doable though. If it is, what gauge should it be?

[crenlykatanarx7]

make sure that it the right battery, motorcycle batteries are not universal like the ones in cars. but try that if thats not it check ur fuses and wires,

[scottynoface]

I have that same battery in my bike. It's a bike battery.

[TURRRDS]

Battery is good. Fuses Are good. From what I can tell the wires are good. I have no idea what the problem is. I give up.

[92xjunker]

Have you checked the main breaker? if you sparked the + terminal if may have tripped.

[GSXFJim]

Battery is good.

Define "good"... as in new out of the box or shows +12vdc on a meter?...

What does the battery meter with no load on it? then what does it meter when you turn the Ignition on?

The battery can hold a +12vdc charge and still be bad.. if the battery can't provide the amperage your not going to do much with it.

[TURRRDS]

The battery is brand new. Took it straight from the box and installed. It says it didn't need charged, but after all the problems I have had I hooked it up to a charger anyways. Said it was fully charged right away. I checked the main breaker, but it isn't tripped. I havent checked anything with a multimeter yet. The only thing I did was remove the old battery and install the new one. Everything worked fine before, except that the engine wouldn't start. Battery was confirmed dead by Advance Auto Parts. I have no idea what to try next.

[GSXFJim]

I'd take it down had have it load tested just to make sure...

[Mr Exiled]

It sounds like a ground issue.... Check your grounds and replace the short wire with a similar gauge wire.

[Kreylyn]

There are 2 distinct groun leads crimped together and run off the negative battery post. A larger one, and a smaller one. The smaller one should go to a connector with in about 6". The smaller one is what grounds out most of the instrument pannel and lights. The larger one is for the starter (and possibly alternator).

Krey

[rexazz2]

how come the + terminal doesnt look like it fully clamped down ?

[TURRRDS]

There are 2 distinct groun leads crimped together and run off the negative battery post. A larger one, and a smaller one. The smaller one should go to a connector with in about 6". The smaller one is what grounds out most of the instrument pannel and lights. The larger one is for the starter (and possibly alternator).

Sooo, thinking that it may have been an issue with how corroded and worn the wires were, I cut the wire an inch below the terminal connector and got a new wire to use as the ground. I don't recall seeing a third, smaller wire. I have a wire to use for it, just not sure where you're saying the grounds should go exactly. Would I just tie all 3 wires together, then connect the grounds wherever they go?

[TURRRDS]

I think I figured it out. Found a random black wire coming from where the instrument panel. Plugged my ground wire in there, reattached the battery cables and I had lights and turn signals again. The starter worked again as well. Now to tape and grease the connections, reattach the fuel tank and I should be good to go. Thanks for the help.