Engine Battery light came on Help
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, TN
Engine Battery light came on Help
I rode for about 80 miles andupon 10 milesprior to myarrivalto the destination, engine and battery lightsuddenly came on. when I got to the destination, turned off the engine and wait for abt 3 mins, then i tried to start her back up the battery seems weak to start up, then it runs. I charged it over night. Then the next morning, It was full powered. then about less than a mile, the engine and battery light came back on, I was like WTF?! So I cant hear if its the battery or the starter, but i dont know whats going on. My guts tells me its something that the transmission that has to do with the starter that powers up the bike, I dont know. Also, I dont know how to use the speedometer to see whats the code. Any idea would be helpful.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 109
From: Mesa, Az.
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
Sounds like it's not charging when running. Engine electronics and headlight draining the battery.
I'd check the battery connections and the voltage regulator first.
How old is the battery? Does it charge to full voltage?
I'd check the battery connections and the voltage regulator first.
How old is the battery? Does it charge to full voltage?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,609
From: along the shore of Mishigami
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
Yep, check all connections to starter, check all connections to battery, charge your battery so that you can start it, then check the regulator output to the battery, should be 14.1-14.3 volts at 2000-2500 rpm. If it's not charging, it's either the regulator or stator. Get with your dealer and see if you have any warranty left on it.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
i notice that my ground wire underneth the the bolt to the risers that connects to the triple tree broke, could it be the cause that drain the battery?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
i just got back from the garage. I turn on the bike, i notice first engine light normally comes on before you start it, then i wait 10 secs before i start it, during in the middle of the 10 secs, the engine comes on again then goes away same with the security light as well. I do not have security system. So i started the bike up and went with 1st gear then when i hit the 2nd, the lights comes right on. The battery is fine to me. I think it has something to do with gears or transmission.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
ORIGINAL: 06chrisFTW
i just got back from the garage. I turn on the bike, i notice first engine light normally comes on before you start it, then i wait 10 secs before i start it, during in the middle of the 10 secs, the engine comes on again then goes away same with the security light as well. I do not have security system.
Okay, this is because you have a FAULT stored.
So i started the bike up and went with 1st gear then when i hit the 2nd, the lights comes right on.
This is because the problem still exist
The battery is fine to me. I think it has something to do with gears or transmission.
Did you follow the recommendations given in the other posts? Is does have to do with the gears and transmission.
Probably, when in first your rpms were high enough to charge enough to overcome the failure mode. When you hit second gear the rpms dropped, along with the voltage and the voltage failure initiated the check engine light again.
Are you hearing any unusual noises coming from the transmission (rattling, etc.)??
First, as said check your connections, then your battery. It may be as simple as a bad cell in the battery, or could be the voltage regulator or alternator. On a 3 year old bike, I would suspect the battery first, especially since the bike hardly turns over and it seems to charge at higher rpms.
Your battery should be reading 12.5 - 13 VDC standing alone, with no load on it. Your can take it to Sears, Autozone, Advance, etc. and they will generally do a FREE test on it for you. Keep it simple
i just got back from the garage. I turn on the bike, i notice first engine light normally comes on before you start it, then i wait 10 secs before i start it, during in the middle of the 10 secs, the engine comes on again then goes away same with the security light as well. I do not have security system.
Okay, this is because you have a FAULT stored.
So i started the bike up and went with 1st gear then when i hit the 2nd, the lights comes right on.
This is because the problem still exist
The battery is fine to me. I think it has something to do with gears or transmission.
Did you follow the recommendations given in the other posts? Is does have to do with the gears and transmission.
Probably, when in first your rpms were high enough to charge enough to overcome the failure mode. When you hit second gear the rpms dropped, along with the voltage and the voltage failure initiated the check engine light again.
Are you hearing any unusual noises coming from the transmission (rattling, etc.)??
First, as said check your connections, then your battery. It may be as simple as a bad cell in the battery, or could be the voltage regulator or alternator. On a 3 year old bike, I would suspect the battery first, especially since the bike hardly turns over and it seems to charge at higher rpms.
Your battery should be reading 12.5 - 13 VDC standing alone, with no load on it. Your can take it to Sears, Autozone, Advance, etc. and they will generally do a FREE test on it for you. Keep it simple
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
Go to this thread for the DTC info you want.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_3129658/tm.htm
Good luck,
DougJ
https://www.hdforums.com/m_3129658/tm.htm
Good luck,
DougJ
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 57
From: St. Louis, MO
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
ORIGINAL: 06chrisFTW
i notice that my ground wire underneth the the bolt to the risers that connects to the triple tree broke, could it be the cause that drain the battery?
i notice that my ground wire underneth the the bolt to the risers that connects to the triple tree broke, could it be the cause that drain the battery?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
RE: Engine Battery light came on Help
Fix the broken ground wire you discovered BEFORE you even try starting the bike again.
If the conditions still exist after repair of the broken wire, check CLOSELY all connections to the battery, starter, and regulator. If all seem tight, you may just have a battery with a bad cell - simple as that.
We all want to help you bro, but you're not answering our questions that could help - ie. how old is your battery?Did you fix the wire and it still has the same condition?
HD batteries last about 2-3 years if never charged. If you use a smart charger during extended periods of not riding, then it may last 5 or 6 years.
No matter what - this is NOT being caused by a tranny problem.
If the conditions still exist after repair of the broken wire, check CLOSELY all connections to the battery, starter, and regulator. If all seem tight, you may just have a battery with a bad cell - simple as that.
We all want to help you bro, but you're not answering our questions that could help - ie. how old is your battery?Did you fix the wire and it still has the same condition?
HD batteries last about 2-3 years if never charged. If you use a smart charger during extended periods of not riding, then it may last 5 or 6 years.
No matter what - this is NOT being caused by a tranny problem.
