Red Elec Sys Light on Fat Bob
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Stage II
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Austin
Red Elec Sys Light on Fat Bob
My 2012 dyna fat bob has a red warning electrical system light that comes on at highway speeds. Pushing the right front brake lever forward causes the light to turn off. Has anyone had any experience with this or have any thoughts? I've taken the bike in to my local HD dealer 2 times now and they can't reproduce the issue and haven't been of any assistance.
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Austin
5K Service
This occurred after I had the bike's 5k service check @ my local HD service center. Frustrating since they can't seem to find (or repro) the issue. I googled and others have experienced this same problem (http://www.fixya.com/motorcycles/t15...na_fat_bob_red). At this point I'm just looking for suggestions/thoughts I can pass along to them to investigate.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 138
From: here
Pushing the brake lever forward suggests that it may be adjusted too tight.
There is a small switch in the handle housing that connects power to the brake light.
It may be that the brake handle is pressing on the switch so that contact is very nearly made all the time.
Riding may produce enough vibration to make contact intermittently or possibly wedge the handle against it enough to make the contact for a longer time. Could also just be some little POS stuffed in there from the road.
If that's the case, it may be that the BCM is complaining that you are riding with the brake on.
I don't know for sure but there are other interlocks / alarms that do not appear in the codes such as trying to start the bike in gear and not having the clutch pulled in.
Just suggesting that you have a look at the brake handle adjustment per manual. If there is still a problem maybe open the handle and look inside to see if the switch is OK.
There is a small switch in the handle housing that connects power to the brake light.
It may be that the brake handle is pressing on the switch so that contact is very nearly made all the time.
Riding may produce enough vibration to make contact intermittently or possibly wedge the handle against it enough to make the contact for a longer time. Could also just be some little POS stuffed in there from the road.
If that's the case, it may be that the BCM is complaining that you are riding with the brake on.
I don't know for sure but there are other interlocks / alarms that do not appear in the codes such as trying to start the bike in gear and not having the clutch pulled in.
Just suggesting that you have a look at the brake handle adjustment per manual. If there is still a problem maybe open the handle and look inside to see if the switch is OK.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
I have a 2012 Fat Bob and was having the same problems... On a ride I took a stop at a waterfall and it wouldn't start again, I called the dealer and they said there was a recall on the regulator (why they didn't send out notices is beyond me)... but might be something to look into?
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 949
Likes: 116
From: SW Colorado & CO Springs
You might try to if you can get any codes from the bike. Link to the procedure that works on my 11 Bob:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/elect...tic-codes.html
Only I haven't had any codes to see yet. Hope it helps.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/elect...tic-codes.html
Only I haven't had any codes to see yet. Hope it helps.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
My 2012 dyna fat bob has a red warning electrical system light that comes on at highway speeds. Pushing the right front brake lever forward causes the light to turn off. Has anyone had any experience with this or have any thoughts? I've taken the bike in to my local HD dealer 2 times now and they can't reproduce the issue and haven't been of any assistance.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok, Thailand
I have exactly the same issue on my 2014 Fat Bob. It first occurred on a (nearly) top speed run (I slowed down when I saw the red light) and now occurs more and more frequently - any sustained travel at 130km/h + (80 mph +) now sees the light come on. A simple push forward of the brake lever fixes the problem for a few kms - it is just annoying.
I have discussed this with a contact at a dealer (also a Fat Bob owner) who has told me it is a common problem. He has had the switch replaced on his bike a couple of times which fixes it for a while. Apparently the spring in the lever mechanism (not sure what or where this spring is as I haven't pulled it apart) is a bit weak. I suppose this is another one of those Harley "character" things.
If I come across a fix I will post it (the bike is due for a service after the holidays). One thought I had was to buy a set of the edge cut levers (I think the holes go right through
). A bit crazy but maybe they will result in lower wind resistance at speed and hopefully fix the problem (or at least make it happen less often) - don't look so bad either 
.
I have discussed this with a contact at a dealer (also a Fat Bob owner) who has told me it is a common problem. He has had the switch replaced on his bike a couple of times which fixes it for a while. Apparently the spring in the lever mechanism (not sure what or where this spring is as I haven't pulled it apart) is a bit weak. I suppose this is another one of those Harley "character" things.
If I come across a fix I will post it (the bike is due for a service after the holidays). One thought I had was to buy a set of the edge cut levers (I think the holes go right through
). A bit crazy but maybe they will result in lower wind resistance at speed and hopefully fix the problem (or at least make it happen less often) - don't look so bad either .