Oh Crap
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
Oh Crap
The other day I started the bike up. It seemed to be a little weak so I pulled the battery off and put it on the charger. A couple hours later it said it was complete so I took it off and placed it on a shelf in the basement.
Today I went outside and disconnected my fuel gauge. I swapped it out for a dummy cap, snapped the plug in place that Performance Machine sells to turn off the low fuel light.
I reinstalled the battery and I have no power anywhere now. No headlight, no horn, no fuel pump....nothing.
I tried placing the battery back on the charger but it said it has a full charge. I tried reconnecting the gauge. No luck.
All fuses in the fuse box look good.
I'm at a loss here. I didn't bother anything that I can think of that would have made me lose power.
Today I went outside and disconnected my fuel gauge. I swapped it out for a dummy cap, snapped the plug in place that Performance Machine sells to turn off the low fuel light.
I reinstalled the battery and I have no power anywhere now. No headlight, no horn, no fuel pump....nothing.
I tried placing the battery back on the charger but it said it has a full charge. I tried reconnecting the gauge. No luck.
All fuses in the fuse box look good.
I'm at a loss here. I didn't bother anything that I can think of that would have made me lose power.
Last edited by Flinter; Jan 18, 2014 at 12:18 PM.
First thing is to trace the lines as best as you can from the battery to the terminus. If you do not have a manual, get one and follow the circuits. Presuming a healthy battery, my guess is that you have a disconnect. Your battery is probably maintenance free, but you can still pull the caps to see if your electrolytes are full.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
I have a trickle charger hookup on my battery. I ran both the negative and the positive side for it to the positive side of my battery. I noticed the two ends were stuck together when I got back from NAPA and started to reinstall the battery.
Thanks for the thoughts guys, turns out it was just a really dumb move on my part.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 5
From: Coweta, Oklahoma
I had the same problem. Battery was going bad so I thought I'd save a little money and get one on the internet, big mistake. I only lasted two months after installing. At installation I checked it on a multimeter and it had 12.8 volts accross the two terminals. The other day I went to go for a ride and like yours it wouldn't do a thing. Checked it again and it only had 10.4 volts accross the terminals. HD parts guy who I know and trust told me that batteries other than HD ones will go bad due to the vibrations of the engine and HD batteries don't because they put damper walls inside the battery to control this. Anyway got a new HD battery now and all is good.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: WMass
First off, always use an AGM battery in the bike.
Second, and I hate to admit it, the best luck I've had with bike batteries in the last 10 or so years has been the factory Harley battery.
Chase
Second, and I hate to admit it, the best luck I've had with bike batteries in the last 10 or so years has been the factory Harley battery.
Chase
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Out West
I found the answer, after I got back from taking the battery to the store to do just that. I'm a little ashamed to admit it;
I have a trickle charger hookup on my battery. I ran both the negative and the positive side for it to the positive side of my battery. I noticed the two ends were stuck together when I got back from NAPA and started to reinstall the battery.
Thanks for the thoughts guys, turns out it was just a really dumb move on my part.
I have a trickle charger hookup on my battery. I ran both the negative and the positive side for it to the positive side of my battery. I noticed the two ends were stuck together when I got back from NAPA and started to reinstall the battery.
Thanks for the thoughts guys, turns out it was just a really dumb move on my part.
But not sure what the heck yer saying, seems like you had both leads attached, attached to the same post?
Damn right you're the man for saying you did something silly! I would've blamed the damn golterpeist, poltergiest, poltergeist from "The Exorcist" i'fn it were me.
Whatever happened or who's responsible, my hat's off to you
"Ride Postman, Ride!"
