I have an 07 custom that I just removed the battery and ecm in preparation for the tmax that's comming. I don't have a problem with the battery going deadeven after 3 weeks, but did make an observation that was somewhat puzzelling to me. First of all removing the battery is a pain in the *** with the lack of space to remove the terminal bolts. While removing the negative I noticed a light arcing at the terminal indicating draw from something. Since I don't have a security system on the bike I'm at a loss as to what causes this. The only thing I could think of is the clock that's built into the speedo. I had pulled the ecm fuse prior to removing the negative so that's not it.
This is a late model with the plastic tray insert and there is one red heavy gauge wire taped to the center front channel of the plastic tray with a plug on it. What was the intention of this wire?
Ron

 

rbabos....
I have a 2007 FXDL THAT IS HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM
I am on my 4th battery in 3 weeks!!!
It is in the shop again and they are trying to find the problem......again.

Weird things going on though.
The security light occasionally comes on......and I don't even have a security system on this bike.
It (mainly) comes on when I start the bike, and sometimes stays on for 30 - 45 secs.
Sometimes, it doesn't even come on at all.......very inconsistant.
Occasionally the battery indicator light will come on and the people at the service department say that I don't have a battery indicator light.
They went over to 4 other bikes and turned on the ignitions........... and no lights came on any of those....but mine sure did!!!
Really blew their mind!!

I have the Thundermax with Autotune on my FXDL and I am hoping that there is no corelation there to my problem.
I do think that I had this problem before I installed the Thundermax though.....because I had to keep the battery charger on the bike during the initilaization and map loading because I kept getting a "low voltage" message.
I have killed two batteries all the way down to 5 volts........that is almost unheard of for a new battery, only a week old.
Very frustrating because I hesitate to ride this thing very far for fear of getting stranded.
When the battery dies.....IT DIES H.A.R.D.
I mean, even the odometer LCD won't light up.....no indicator lights......nothing!!!

I even took a brand new battery home form the dealer a couple of weeks ago and it didn't even last through the 3, 30 second on/off initialization cycles for the TMAX!!

I have had this bike since September and have invested a lot in upgrades and customizing. I love this bike and will stay on it until we get it figured out.
If anyone has any similar problems....I am hoping for some Ideas.
If anyone is interested, and If I get my particular problem worked out, I will post the results.

 

Hey fellas,

I put a tmax on my 07 FXDC and had a problem of battery drain, and worked out the lead for the pc hook-up from tmax was pinched. This doesn't sound as serious as your probs. I was lucky I guess?? My bike is now running great, stick with it.

T1

 

txrarebear:I don't think I have a problem as the clock will use some power. It is a very small amount and causes no ill effect. Just found it wierd that I could see the small fuzzy sparks at the terminal when I disconnected it.
Your drain is substantial though.The security light will come on even without a security system and go out when the bike is started, at least mine does with oem ecm. I'm not really an electrical wizzard but I'll go out in the shed and check my bike for some test ideas that you may be able to use. Later,
Ron

 

Well, that was a frustrating experience. The only things that I learned was that with the ecm disconnected, as in my case still waiting for tmax to show up and battery out the only reading I got was to confirm the clock in the speedo has a capacitor in it . With the ohm meter set at 1k and checking from the main fuse terminal to ground the meter started at 0 and dropped to 50k. This happens because the capacitor sucks power out of the meter like a charging effect. With the key off and no security, this is all you should see.That at least explained my mini draw, but further checks on the fuse panel when the fuses were pulled did not really make sense, but everything was working when I parked it. The factory however did not install one fuse in it's correct slot which is a spare anyway. It would appear that in your case it's going to be a slow painful process of elimination. You need to hook up and ampmeter or multimeter to measure amperage draw at the positiveterminal. Place itbetween battery and terminal. Normal isaround 5.5 milli-ampswith no security, but that may not be exact.Pull each fuse ,one at a time to see the most effect and trace it from there, checking wires all the way to the component. If that won't show a solution and with that kind of drain and no visual clues the first thing I would look at is the voltage regulator as in a bad diode that's fused and allowing power back into the stator. The housing or wires may even feel warm if this is the case. Don't rule out a defective ignition switch also.
Ron

 

Hello Ron and trusty 1,
Well, the bike has been at the dealer for two days and they have not found anything wrong with the bike.
They have checked for corrosion on the relays the shorting on the stator, all the things you have mentioned.
They asked me if I would bring in my original computer and that they would hook it back up and see if the draining continues.
The only thing is.....they would keep my bike for about a week and a half while waiting to see if the battery would continue to drain with the original computer.
NO WAY!!!
I will bring it back home and just dangle the original computer off the harness without removing the TMAX and let the bike sit in MY GARAGE for that same amount of time...... and see what happens then.

I do have to thank them for trying to help me though. With all the horror stories I hear about on the forums about the "stealers", I do have a pretty good relationship with my local and they are not going to charge me for their troubleshooting so far.
They would charge me if they were going to replace the computer but since I installed it anyway, I would just as soon do it myself.
They really are pretty good people to work with, and I want to keep that relationship.
I have a guy I work with that is pretty sharp with automotive electrical systems and he is coming over this weekend and we will probe around some more and see what we can do.

Ron at Zippers contacted me via e-mail and sent me a newer version of the Firmware and he mentioned that out of all the units they have sold.....they have only had a handfull that have had a similar problem. Hesays that the engineers are looking into that problem but have not come to a firm conclusion yet.

He also mentioned that there could be a problem with the way I am shutting off the engine.
He says that they discourage using the kill switch to shut off the engine (while using Thundermax ECM) as Harley Davidson recommends.
He didn't elaborate though, as to why, but he says we will stay on top of my problem until we figure it out. He said that after I download the new firmware and reload the map,that if the condition persists he will send me a Return Goods Authorization to return the unit back to him for "adjustment".
Guy's,
I'll certainly keep you informed. If my problem is isolated....then that is good for everyone else. I am thankful for all the help I have received form you all and my dealer. I know that I will eventulally get it fixed and be riding my Low Rider again.
I do have an Ultra that I should be riding.....but it's NOT THE SAME!!!
Zippers and Thundermax comes HIGHLY recommended and their reputation is why I chose to go this route on my FXDL.
I feel confident that I made the right choice, but electronics is electronics.... and subject to mechanical problems and GREMLINS, just like everything else.
I'll keep you informed.
Thanx again,
Bill



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