Custom Models All custom bikes.

04 Ironhorse Lighting Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 06:51 AM
  #1  
pjb's Avatar
pjb
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 463
Default 04 Ironhorse Lighting Problem

I have a lighting problem with an 04 Texas Chopper that is kicking my butt!!

Turn the key and there is no headlight, no front or rear running lights. Rear brake lights work, from both brakes (front/rear). Turn signals work on front and rear lights, and flash the arrow on the dash. The 04's have the SmartFlash module (run/brake/turn) and all fuses check good. Flipping the hi beam switch does nothing, and the hi beam indicator on the dash does NOT come on.

If I unplug the harness that goes to the headlight and front run/turn lights, the rear running lights come on but very dim. Rear brake/turn still work normal. Obviously none of the front lights work while disconnected, but the hi beam indicator on the dash does work when the hi beam switch is on.

With the ignition on, the feed to the headlight low beam has voltage present at the connection to the front harness, but only 5 volts. When connected there is no headlight (not even dim).

Any ideas?????????

I would possibly suspect the SmartFlash run/turn/brake module. but I don't think that it has anything to do with the headlight circuit (maybe I'm wrong??)
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 08:11 AM
  #2  
Nightking's Avatar
Nightking
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 771
Likes: 2
From: Hurricane,WV
Default

I'm thinking the best thing to do is to start at the headlight and work your way back. Check voltage at the headlight. Then check voltage where the headlight plugs in. Is your ignition switch located on the side or on the tank? I would suspect that the module you have for lighting is the culpret.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
pjb's Avatar
pjb
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 463
Default

except that I don't think the headlight runs thru the run/turn/brake module.

Headlight works when connected directly to 12volts. only 5volts present at headlight feed harness.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #4  
JRK5892's Avatar
JRK5892
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 19,481
Likes: 25
From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)
Default

sounds like you have a ground in there... common on chops from the vibration if the wiring is not done right it wears though it... it is your main power line that i would look at, runs the power up to the lamp an to the front turn sigs... I know on bikes i wire i run one line from my ignition to the lamp as well as one from the fuse block to the lamp... from that the horn will tap in, as well as the brake switches, "N" light, and guages... from the back of the bike the reg/rectifier unit should tap into the fuse lblock and the rest of the charging system. without seeing even what your bike looks like it is so hard to even begin to point you in what direction, is the wiring in the frame or external, where is your main fuse pannel, does it have a main fuse pannel? what style ignition are you running, is your charging system working, that is what i would be most worried about, if you are only getting 5 v it could be your regulator or rectifier. does the bike run any diff or just the lighting?
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 09:40 AM
  #5  
Nightking's Avatar
Nightking
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 771
Likes: 2
From: Hurricane,WV
Default

Originally Posted by pjb
except that I don't think the headlight runs thru the run/turn/brake module.

Headlight works when connected directly to 12volts. only 5volts present at headlight feed harness.

Like I was saying, if you trace the wire from the headlight back , you will most likely find your problem. There's no way for me to know how they wired it up. But, if you are only getting 5vdc at that plug, something is haywire near that connection.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #6  
pjb's Avatar
pjb
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 463
Default

other then the fuses in the SmartFlash run/turn/brake module, I don't think the 04 Ironhorse has fuses. There is a 30amp breaker. I'm not sure what all is hidden on the front of the splash shield that is between the rear tire and trans, but that is where the SmartFlash and 30amp breaker are. Kinda hard to get to.

I guess the next step will be to remove the rear tire, pull the splash shield and see what I find.
 
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2009 | 08:50 PM
  #7  
dmgary's Avatar
dmgary
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default hope it helps

Had the problem on my FLHX. it was the module take it out and see what it does. But im with JRK it prob a damn ground that can cause lots of things that you would never enve think of. Good luck. I just purchased my chopper and love it man. 1000 miles in a month.
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2009 | 06:09 AM
  #8  
12pack's Avatar
12pack
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Dillsboro,IN
Default

I had a wiring problem with my custom. Someone had zip-tied a wire to the frame and from the vibration it cut the wire and like you it was between the splash pan and the oil tank.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 11, 2010 | 12:08 PM
  #9  
pjb's Avatar
pjb
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 463
Default

turns out it was the power control module, mounted behind the battery box on the splash shield.
 
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2010 | 06:22 PM
  #10  
12pack's Avatar
12pack
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Dillsboro,IN
Default

Glad you found it !!!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:02 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE