Electrical help. No Key - Runs but only headlight works

[GaryOak]

Hey guys, on my second Spree now and got it running great with help from the forum. So it runs but none of the electrical stuff works except the headlight while it's running. On my last Spree I rode it without a battery for a while but the brake lights and stuff would still work while it was running.
Quick summary below:
- No key. To start it I've unplugged the ignition circuit or whatever.
- Headlight (including high beam) and engine kill switch both work properly. No other electricals seem to work.
- Have checked fuse and it's in good shape.

I've read through the tech docs but I've never worked with wiring stuff before so I'm a little out of my depth here.
Anyone seen or experienced an issue like this? Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Meatball]

Depends how you "hotwired" the ignition. What have you done there?

[motormike]

By unplugging the key switch, you have disconnected all the lighting from the circuit.
Your "hot-wiring" is incomplete...patch together the wires for the lights and they will work...BUT...BUT...
YOU MUST NOT LEAVE THEM CONNECTED...or the battery will run down.

[GaryOak]

Ah ha! I unplugged the whole plug (the square one on the far left in the image).

I will try it out in the morning. Does anyone know which color wires I need to patch?

Thanks guys!

[Meatball]

As motormike says...connecting the black and red will get you spark....but nothing else. Chopchop (Taz) on Ebay sells new ignitions for Sprees. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Spree-NQ5 ... il&vxp=mtr

[GaryOak]

Wahoo! Everything is working now.

For reference I connected the top red wire to the top black wire. Both bottom wires are unplugged now. Pic attached - forgot to take one before I taped them but the point is there.

Thanks for everything guys!

[GaryOak]

Oh also I'm aware the battery will run down every time I turn off the motor (since I'm not unplugging the wires) but I've been using the kick starter anyway and I think the battery was dead when I bought the Spree anyway.

[Meatball]

Keep in mind that even though the Spree doesn't technically need a good battery to run, sometimes using the accessories will put major strain on the stator. You may end up with erratic blinking turn signals or a "sick" sounding horn. The stator has to run your engine coil, headlight and taillight by itself already so adding anything else will cause undue stress on the components and reduce lifespan. I just picked up a cheap China generic battery off Ebay for $15.99+ free shipping. Time will tell how long it will last but its better than nothing.