You don't give us any clue where to start from, just that it died and won't start and that could be 50-100 things maybe.

Start with checking to see if the fuel pump is pumping or not. Could have blown some fuse or pump went bad. Could be the fuel petcock near the gas cap went bad and not letting gas flow to carbs or a busted vacuum line and it's not working.
Might even been some bad gas with water etc...

If it is getting fuel, then is there spark to the plugs? If no spark it could be a simple fuse blown or something else.

Did you bump the kill switch and not notice it got turned off? LOL
Sometimes a kill switch can also go bad, may crank well but no ignition for it to start.

What lights are on on the dash when you turn on the key and let it sit. Sometimes that may lend a clue.

88 can be different than some of the newer 1500's also.
My 88 I can hear the fuel pump run just turning on the key, sometime it got changed and the pump only runs when hitting the starter button on newer ones like my 95.
My 88 the reverse will work with key on engine off, but my 95 it only works with engine running.
So though all 1500's are basically the same in most ways the 88 and 89 do have some differences from newer models.

I don't remember off hand for the 88 what lights should be on on the dash with the key on and kill switch on, but if kill switch off or bad I think there is a light that does not light. Might be the cruise lights? Turn on the key, press for cruise control to be on, then flip the kill switch on and off and see if any lights go out or on and let us know.

I think I would start with checking for fuel first, after checking the switch. Remove the fuel line from the petcock and run it into a container and see if fuel is pumped from the tank.

 

First thing I'd check is the alternator... mine failed and did exactly the same thing.

T

 

Did it die Suddenly, or slowly?

-Suddenly: Take a very close look at the Connections to the Kill Switch on the handle bar... verifying that the screw terminals are Tight (Actually put a screwdriver on them, to check this).

-Slowly: Try bypassing the fuel petcock

 

Thanks for the info. I have checked all the fuses and they are all good I looked at the kill switch and it looks fine. Now as fore gas I use UNION 76 and Chevron 91 only. I have also removed the fuel line and filter there no problem there blow though the line with no restrictions. Now as for the fuel pump I do not here it when I turn on the key all lights come like they are suppose too. However no fuel pump out just trickle out. So first should I be hearing the pump when I turn on the key and should gas pump out with the key on or when trying to start. Again bike just turn over with No start. hope this help you understand what happen while I was riding down the freeway.

 

...I looked at the kill switch [on handle bar] and it looks fine....

Test the kill switch on the kickstand... I don't have exact procedure, but it will be something along the lines of verifying that 2 of the 3 wires show continuity depending upon whether the kickstand is up or down... You can test at the Plug, located behind the reverse lever.

...I have also removed the fuel line and filter there no problem there blow though the line with no restrictions. Now as for the fuel pump I do not here it when I turn on the key all lights come like they are suppose too. However no fuel pump out just trickle out. So first should I be hearing the pump when I turn on the key and should gas pump out with the key on or when trying to start...

> The '88 might be different, however the fuel pump typically only operates intermittantly (eg Not a continuous flow like often expected), hence nothing obviously wrong with yours.
> Bypass the fuel petcock (located in front of gas cap) and report back.

 

I went through this on two GL1500's and both times it was the KIll Switch if you look under the right side lower plastic you will see a bunch of connectors at the top of the opening the red connector is where the Kill switch goes through. If you look at the schematics you will see which two wires are the kill switch. I used a paper clip and shorted them out. When I did that the bike started up and ran just fine.
The problem with the kill switch is that it doesn't have to be completely open. At a certain point as the resistance builds up because of dirt or corrosion it will turn the bike off. The bike will turn over but there will be no fuel to the carbs and no spark to the plugs. This is a really normal problem with the GL1500's it happens to a lot of people. But if you just OHM out the switch it might just look OK because most Multimeters have a few extra ohms in the wireing so you don't realize its actually in the switch. In this case close is not good enough....

 

...KIll Switch if you look under the right side lower plastic you will see a bunch of connectors at the top of the opening the red connector is where the Kill switch goes through...

Located on top edge of the fan housing ...looks something like this (I may have the left side shown, dunno)

^ Image Credit: Goldwingwingdocs

 

If you are trying to start the bike in neutral, the side stand switch would not be involved. It only provides a ground to the frame when starting the bike in gear with the side stand up.

The kill switch on the handlebar is a good possibility.

Just remove two screws, lift the top half of the switch cluster, check for input/output voltage on the kill switch. Black/light green input...black/white output.

When alternators fail, they usually deplete the battery of voltage. Has the battery been charged since the failure? If not and it is cranking the engine good, I doubt it is an alternator failure.

If your bike is cranking over good (and there were no other issues), it would start even with a bad alternator. BTDT...

 

That's true... if it were the alternator the battery would be most likely dead.

 

With the key turned to ON does the CRUISE ON light illuminate, if it does that verifies kill switch is OK and circuit for powering ECM is OK

With the engine cranking or running the fuel pump is always supplied battery voltage, no such thing as intermittent operation for a normally operating pump:?

When key is first turned on there should be an audible 2 second prime of the pump which is easily heard, put your ear to the filler neck. The prime is not enough to gush the fuel out. Remove the fuel line prior to filter and crank engine, gas should now pump out, there is a quantity number in the manual.

 

Thanks guys you all were a great help. Butt Alex Bereczky & Purple Priate did the trick. Turned on the key and no cruse light then open the kill switch and the was the screws were loose to the kill switch and they looked like they were tight but when I put the screwdriver on them very loose I tighten them and she started right up. Back on the road again, and still have all my lunch money (smile) ONCE AGAIN THANKS TO ALL.

Ed Nelson[/I]