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Likely loose ground - what do I check

Joined Oct 2016
626 Posts | 85+
San Francisco
So bike threw a code while riding it yesterday. It went into limp mode (3k steady no throttle response) I pulled over and it was hunting like crazy. I shut if off, looked it over, turned it back on and it fired right up. Rode for another 3 - 4 miles at 75mph and then pulled off the highway. Put it in neutral and it sputtered and died. Tried to start it and the starter just whined and clicked. I think I recall smelling something but I didn't see any smoke and the smell cleared before I got my helmet off. After some advice I jiggled the ground wiring and it fired right up. Rode home on surface streets with no issues. CEL cleared by the time I got home and a few tests show it fired up easily.

Seems like I have a loose ground based on this. Interesting related issue, my up until recently flakey neutral switch has stopped working entirely. I guess the main question is, am I good to just check connections and tighten everything up or am I going to need to go through the entire wiring harness?
 
There are some ground terminals on the engine in 2 spots I believe, plus the battery terminals.

Your neutral switch is another separate terminal which can come loose. I recall it's a spade terminal located on the rear of the engine.
 
Thanks! Any thoughts on the likelyhood of damage running it loose other than some strain on the ignition system?
 
Follow-up, no damage at all, runs like a champ again. One more thing to keep an eye one to ensure it doesn't rattle loose.
 
Nope, literally just the connection at the negative battery terminal. Everything else was nice and tight.
 
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