Dead battery
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Hatboro PA
Dead battery
Have owned an 09 SuperGlide Custom for about 11 mos. Ride all year as much as possible and use a battery tender/trickle charger nearly all the time. Found battery with weak charge on morning after bike was plugged into charger all night...tender light was green. Later that night I tightened battery terminal bolts every so slightly and the bike started so I took a quick ride around block and plugged bike back into tender for the night. Next morning not totally charged again. Battery was purchased about 11 mos ago. HD battery. No codes showing up on bike just too weak to turn over engine. Could it be just dead battery...any info would be helpful.
Jason
Jason
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Midtown Tulsa
Load test the battery, see if it fails. If you don't have one (tester), take the battery out and down to auto parts store or cycle shop to test.
Battery tenders usually only put out 6 volts or less with low amperage, so if you have a battery that is being drained by something on your bike, it may not keep up; or your battery tender is inop.
Battery tenders usually only put out 6 volts or less with low amperage, so if you have a battery that is being drained by something on your bike, it may not keep up; or your battery tender is inop.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
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Do you have a volt meter?
Do an alternator check, start bike and test with meter on positive side of battery. Voltage should climb to 12.8-13.2, give or take. If voltage doesn't climb your alternator could be bad, or possibly generator.
Most likely battery-what kind of tender is it? If it's just the tender jr, it has only 2 amps, and if a battery is low, it isn't enough to bring it up to full charge.
Do an alternator check, start bike and test with meter on positive side of battery. Voltage should climb to 12.8-13.2, give or take. If voltage doesn't climb your alternator could be bad, or possibly generator.
Most likely battery-what kind of tender is it? If it's just the tender jr, it has only 2 amps, and if a battery is low, it isn't enough to bring it up to full charge.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southern Oregon
If your battery is too dead to start your bike a tender is not the way to charge it back up. The tenders Ive had only put out between .75 - 1,25 amps depending on which brand/model. Do a load test, if the battery is ok dont rule out a faulty tender
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Hatboro PA
I put a multimeter on it and its reading 14.2 without any voltage drop. I tried to take it to Pep Boys and Auto Zone to get a load test but they don't test cycle batteries. I will take to my local shop next.
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From: Hatboro PA
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
If tightening/moving the cables slightly made a difference, I'd remove and clean their contact points and try it. Could be as simple as a corroded connection there.
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From: Texas
Don't start the car engine, jump and crank your ride and check the charging system...15 minutes, tops, if you take your time...If you know how to use a multimeter and follow the steps, I have a hunch that you will find your problem.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Hatboro PA
Thanks for the advice. I will try it all. I have my manual and have been plodding along trying different things as time allows. I used the multimeter to check battery, stator, and voltage regulator. All producing the expected readings based on my manual/how-to stuff online. I am starting to think it's a ground wire issue. As I was snooping around last night I found a broken wire that came off somewhere. It's a thin wire (20 or 16 gauge) so it's probably not a ground but it needs a home. I am going to work on it more after work tonight. The weather has been rainy and I am actually learning a few things so overall it's a positive experience. Thanks for everyone's advice!
Jason
Jason