Major issue
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 25
From: Ct
Major issue
Ok, Bike was runnin fine and lights working. The other day I started the bike and when I turned the ignition switch to the position that turns the lights on, the bike died. Same thing keeps happening. Start bike, turn switch to turn lights on and bike cuts out.
First thing I thought is that something is grounding out. Any suggestions?? I tore the tank off and have been tracing all the wires etc. Dont see any rub spots or anything. Could one of the circuit brakers have popped??
Thanx.
(yes, the bike is a chop / bobber. I have moved the ignition etc. Not stock by any means. Just lookin for any ideas as to what would cause the bike to cut out when lights turned on. In the past I noticed that when I turned the ignition switch to turn the lights on, the motor would "stumble" for a split second when you turned the switch. 1990 softail custom. thanx)
First thing I thought is that something is grounding out. Any suggestions?? I tore the tank off and have been tracing all the wires etc. Dont see any rub spots or anything. Could one of the circuit brakers have popped??
Thanx.
(yes, the bike is a chop / bobber. I have moved the ignition etc. Not stock by any means. Just lookin for any ideas as to what would cause the bike to cut out when lights turned on. In the past I noticed that when I turned the ignition switch to turn the lights on, the motor would "stumble" for a split second when you turned the switch. 1990 softail custom. thanx)
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 25
From: Ct
Further in spection reveales no power to to the taillight when I test the wires. The only things in front of the taillight, when I trace the wires forward, is the three circut breakers in the ignition unit. I am thinkin one of them must have popped therefore no power to taillight. I am still confused as to why this would cut the motor out?? I will replace the three circut breakers in the ignition unit. Any other suggestions??
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 25
From: Ct
So I went down and grabbed a new ignition switch for 35 bucks. Also replaced the main circuit breaker, 30 amp I think?? Turned the switch to the third position for lights on and the tail light and headlamp are back on. I have not started the bike because i have the tank off, etc.
I still dont have a brake light though. I changed out the switch at the front brake lever and still no brake light. I am sorta confused. there is power going to the taillight wire, but nothing going to the brake light wire, even when the lever is pulled. I tested it when I built the bike and I remember power was going to one of the wires for the brake light and not the other (there are 2 wires going to the brake light wire). I figured when you pulled the lever, the switch completed a circuit and the brake light came on. Any help?? Is there a fuse or breaker related to the brake light??
I bought a clymer manual, but cant really figure it out yet.
Thanx
I still dont have a brake light though. I changed out the switch at the front brake lever and still no brake light. I am sorta confused. there is power going to the taillight wire, but nothing going to the brake light wire, even when the lever is pulled. I tested it when I built the bike and I remember power was going to one of the wires for the brake light and not the other (there are 2 wires going to the brake light wire). I figured when you pulled the lever, the switch completed a circuit and the brake light came on. Any help?? Is there a fuse or breaker related to the brake light??
I bought a clymer manual, but cant really figure it out yet.
Thanx
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So I went down and grabbed a new ignition switch for 35 bucks. Also replaced the main circuit breaker, 30 amp I think?? Turned the switch to the third position for lights on and the tail light and headlamp are back on. I have not started the bike because i have the tank off, etc.
I still dont have a brake light though. I changed out the switch at the front brake lever and still no brake light. I am sorta confused. there is power going to the taillight wire, but nothing going to the brake light wire, even when the lever is pulled. I tested it when I built the bike and I remember power was going to one of the wires for the brake light and not the other (there are 2 wires going to the brake light wire). I figured when you pulled the lever, the switch completed a circuit and the brake light came on. Any help?? Is there a fuse or breaker related to the brake light??
I bought a clymer manual, but cant really figure it out yet.
Thanx
I still dont have a brake light though. I changed out the switch at the front brake lever and still no brake light. I am sorta confused. there is power going to the taillight wire, but nothing going to the brake light wire, even when the lever is pulled. I tested it when I built the bike and I remember power was going to one of the wires for the brake light and not the other (there are 2 wires going to the brake light wire). I figured when you pulled the lever, the switch completed a circuit and the brake light came on. Any help?? Is there a fuse or breaker related to the brake light??
I bought a clymer manual, but cant really figure it out yet.
Thanx
I used to have a schematic for an older Softail but not sure where it is now.
The bake and turn are on the same it is on the accessory fuse, so if your turns are working then it is a problem after this circuit splits.
(The tail and head are on the light fuse)
Both circuits are fused not breaker.
I would check the rear brake switch and see if you have juice there, one should be hot, both when the pedal is pushed.
The brake circuit splits and goes to both switches then joins up again and goes to the brake light.
It is a separate circuit from the tail light.
Anyway do the turn signals work?
If yes then first check the rear switch if no juice then it will be a problem with a connector or bad wire.
I believe the connector for this is in the headlight but that information will be in your manual.
One last note, the main breaker controls everything, all the time so if it had been bad it would have been bad all the time.
Problem had to be with the ignition switch.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 25
From: Ct
Thanx for the tips cruiser.
I am back up and runnin with all lights functioning (I only have a headlight and tail / brake light). After I replaced the ignition it was driving me crazy as to why the brake light was not workin. I tested the brake switch and found one was hot and then both when the lever pulled, but no juice to the light. So I knew the prolem had to be on the return wire from the switch. FOUND THAT A CRIMPER HAD PULLED APART!!!!!!! Pain the *** but at least it was an easy fix!!! Got her all back together and took a test rip...good to go.
And hey, one more question. The motor still stumbles when I turn the ignition to the third position to turn the lights on. I mean a real stumble and then a quick back fire. Is this a normal Harley thing or does it sound like a problem?? I am thinkin I am just gonna start the bike with the lights on and kill the motor with the kill switch to avoid that stumble all together.
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I am back up and runnin with all lights functioning (I only have a headlight and tail / brake light). After I replaced the ignition it was driving me crazy as to why the brake light was not workin. I tested the brake switch and found one was hot and then both when the lever pulled, but no juice to the light. So I knew the prolem had to be on the return wire from the switch. FOUND THAT A CRIMPER HAD PULLED APART!!!!!!! Pain the *** but at least it was an easy fix!!! Got her all back together and took a test rip...good to go.
And hey, one more question. The motor still stumbles when I turn the ignition to the third position to turn the lights on. I mean a real stumble and then a quick back fire. Is this a normal Harley thing or does it sound like a problem?? I am thinkin I am just gonna start the bike with the lights on and kill the motor with the kill switch to avoid that stumble all together.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Last edited by ctluba; Mar 25, 2013 at 11:09 PM.
