New mystery bike won't start

[factorPlayer]

So my S2R1000 has been under the bike cover for a few weeks.  I check on it today and put the key in, everything looks/sounds normal and the gauges' needles do their thing.  I take out the key and come back 1 min later.  now the gauges don't respond and the starter switch does nothing, although I can hear the fuel pump in the tank when I turn the key.  The battery should be good it's only a few months old, I lifted the tank to check it and the connections look fine.

Suggestions?

[stopintime]

If it was me, I'd disconnect the battery, wait a minute, connect it and try again.

Not because this suggestion has any weight, just because I'm so happy to have discovered that it works on my wireless router.

(of course - obligatory kill switch question)

[factorPlayer]

Ha for as long as I've worked in tech support maybe I should have tried that first.  But I am pretty sure the battery is good as the fuel pump whirs.  I'm afraid something's up with the controls or something.

[stopintime]

My suggestion is to 'restart' the ECU.

If you have nothing else, why not?

[Howie]

What is the immobilizer light doing?  First I would put a voltmeter across the battery.  Less than 12.6 to 12.8 volts?  You need to charge the battery.  More than 12.6 volts?  Turn the key on.  Voltage falls significantly?  Battery problem or high resistance at a connection.  Now attempt to crank.  Battery voltage falls below 10 volts?  Same.  Charge the battery and have it load tested.

[factorPlayer]

The immobilizer light is on and blinking...  I took out the battery and charged it up for good measure - no difference (ugh, there went my easy out)

Still same thing - fuel pump whirs, no activity on the gauges, no headlight, and of course no start

[Howie]

Remove the key, walk away from the bike, come back and try again.  If the key is on too long the immobilizer will prevent the bike from starting.  Still doesn't start?  Try another key if you have one.  Still no good?  If it is an immobilizer problem and you still have the code card that should work.  

DOH! No head;light?  Check your fuses including the main fuse.

[factorPlayer]

Thanks Howie and indeed two fuses were blown, the 15 and 30.  I replaced them this morning and immobilizer light is back up and still get the fuel pump whir, but no headlight or gauges, or start.  Tried the red key too.. same thing.

[Raux]

no headlight means you still have fuses out

[factorPlayer]

yeah looks like it blew the 15.  luckily I have another but now I'm wondering what's making it go out.  I'm thinking I should resecure the battery cables to the terminals first.

Thanks again for everyone's input... I haven't really messed with electrical stuff before so beyond the basics I'm kinda flying blind.  But it can't be that hard so I'm determined to work it out myself. 

[ducpainter]

Attach positive then negative.

[factorPlayer]

Anyone have links to a service manual or a decent troubleshooting chart? my searches ain't finding squat... 

[minnesotamonster]

Any chance you got moisture or water in the gauges? My bike did some similar things and after pouring a 1/4 cup of water out of them, all was well. Just something else to check.

[factorPlayer]

Well after resecuring the battery cables and testing it out again it's the same bullshit.  15A fuse blows when I put the key in and turn it to the ON position.  Maybe I should just replace the relay? I looked it up and it's only like a $10 part.

Any chance you got moisture or water in the gauges? My bike did some similar things and after pouring a 1/4 cup of water out of them, all was well. Just something else to check.

Thanks but pretty much zero chance of that.  It hasn't rained here in months and it's been over 100 degrees every day.  Plus I haven't washed the bike all summer either.  

[Howie]

You can also just bypass the relay,  terminal 30 to 87.  Saves $10 and a trip to the store.  The relay can short to ground, but it is rare.