2008 fatbob engine light Speedo issue
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2008 fatbob engine light Speedo issue
Hello, thank you ahead of time for any insights or points in the right direction. My 08 fatbob will start fine than the engine light will come on, then go off, but when it goes off the light for the speedometer goes out with it. It will also start to idle a little high at this time. Ill drive it a bit and the engine light and speedometer both come back on, but at this time the idle is fine. Thinking a loose wire, already tightened battery cables. Working on reading the codes. Just thought Id put this here in hopes of someone maybe having a similar experience. It has about 25k miles. Ive only owned it a year? But this is the first issue. Thanks again.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 167
Likes: 55
From: New England, Maine
That sounds like a classic bad ground connection. The engine light, speedo, and idle are all linked to the same ECU.
Check the main ground wire from the battery to the frame and engine. Clean the connection points until they're shiny metal. Also check the ground connections under the seat and on the front of the engine.
A loose ground causes all those weird, linked electrical gremlins.
Check the main ground wire from the battery to the frame and engine. Clean the connection points until they're shiny metal. Also check the ground connections under the seat and on the front of the engine.
A loose ground causes all those weird, linked electrical gremlins.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thanks for replying. Codes pointing to a regulator I think. Im going to throw a regulator on as it would race up to 17-18V. I will also trace down grounds.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,472
Likes: 2,522
From: Lititz Pa
That light is also a warning light for your tail and turn signal, and stop lights. On my bike it just stayed on and I found a bad light bulb and it went when I replaced it. So just a shot in the dark maybe a bad bulb or loose one.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 953
From: Out West
Now that light does come on with a brake-light problem.