Hello all,
Before I begin, I just bought this bike and am new to this forum. I have searched the forum to try and find the answer to my question, to no avail. If I missed a forum already covering this, please let me know; it's not just me being lazy. Here goes nothing...
I was in Ohio for work and just bought a 2008 Savage a week and a half ago. Stock as they come. No modifications done (yet), roughly 4500 miles on it. 1 previous owner, who bought it, thought it was too much, and sold it. I have basic mechanical knowledge - an engineering degree while still building up the hands-on skills. Go ahead, let the jokes fly lol. Located in Connecticut.
Before I bought the bike, I took it for a test ride. Worked absolutely fine, no problems whatsoever. No areas of concern whatsoever. Signed the paperwork, clean title, I mean, honestly, this bike seems like it could have been brand new.
Loaded it up on the truck, strapped her in, and drove home. Took it off the truck and put it in the garage. Next day, I tried to turn it on (being the kid with a brand new toy), and it wouldn't start. Nothing. No engine turn over, no lights, nothing.
Thought to myself it would be rather strange, but maybe the battery is dead for whatever reason. Take the battery cover off and immediately find the wiring going from the battery sitting there right in front of me. Black and red are hooked up on the terminals on the battery, but leaving the battery is completely exposed.
Now besides my first question being how in the hell could this have happened... I tried to solve it, like any good engineer.
I bought the service manual, and found the wiring diagram for my year's bike, but I am confused by what the diagram is showing and what is actually on the bike. Has anybody had this happen? Can you help a newbie with a fix? It honestly seemed pretty straightforward, which is adding to the frustration.
Pictures and explanations will be loaded below.