The mystery of the tank wire for a 1400 california custom

[St. Paul Mike]

Just picked up a 2014 California custom.  I've read older posts about the rumor of a wire somewhere under the gas tank that is suitable to wire up a GPS unit.  Has anyone really done this?  Does the wire indeed exist? Where does it rest under the gas tank?   Your experience with finding and using this yeti of guzzi parts would be appreciated. Thanks,  Mike

[et18]

Mike, there may be some good info here about it but I originally found it at Guzzitech, I think under the Cali 1400 sticky.  There are pictures there of the original dealer TSB.  My understanding is there is a feedback wire that will allow damage to the system if you leave the key on without the engine running, so MG issued a TSB to cut the wire.  If the bike is still under warranty you can probably have it done free of charge, otherwise it's not that hard to do yourself.  80% of the job is removing and replacing the tank. 

[et18]

Sorry! I just realized I answered a completely different question about a wire under the tank!

I don't know about the custom, but the touring has an OEM plug to fit a Tom Tom unit.  The original owner of my bike told me he had to remove the tank and fish it out.  I bought the Tom Tom with the bike and it works really well.

Sorry for the confusion, but check to see the alternator mod has been done when you have the tank off.

Eric

[St. Paul Mike]

Thanks Eric.  Alternator mod?  What did I just purchase!

[guzzisteve]

It was a Tech Bulletin, just an Italian electikal engineering screw up, nothing new.

Just don't leave your key on for extended period of time w/engine off.   

[stephenm]

Where does it rest under the gas tank? 

It is not under the gas tank. On the RHS of the steering head, under the plastic covers that hide the wires etc, the GPS plug is cable tied into the wiring loom. It can be difficult to find (you need to carefully work your way through the mass of wires and connectors? Nearly drove me nuts finding it. Then, once found, it didn't appear to have been hidden at all.

Stephen

[Kiwi Dave]

It's not located under the tank, but behind one of the plastic steering head covers -left one I think.

Look for an unused connector colored green.




picture sharing

[St. Paul Mike]

Thank you all for your replies.  I'll be digging soon.  Mike

[et18]

Mike, you purchased a great bike, the alternator wire thing isn't a big deal and may already be done on your bike.  You just cut the feedback wire and insulate the cut points with tape or something better.  I used an insulated wire splice.

Dave, just to make sure we're all on the same page:  You have to remove the tank to get to the alternator wire but the nav connector is behind the steering head panel?  It would certainly be easier to remove the panel than the tank if that's possible.

[Kiwi Dave]

Dave, just to make sure we're all on the same page:  You have to remove the tank to get to the alternator wire but the nav connector is behind the steering head panel?

Agreed.

It would certainly be easier to remove the panel than the tank if that's possible.

Yep, no need to remove the tank just to get to the connector.  But of course you need to remove the covers to be able to remove the tank, so if the alternator mod hasn't been performed, then might as well do both together.

I suggest you get a dealer to see whether the alternator mod (Technical Bulletin G_150385_RC_EN) has already been done.

Or check it on line.  http://static.piaggio.com/recall/form-motoguzzi_en.html.  You'll need to supply your VIN number.