Probem with my electrical system
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Probem with my electrical system
Hey guys,
New to the forum, and I am in need of some seasoned riders to give me some advice. I have searched all over the forums and haven't found an answer.
I own a 1985 Harley FXSTS Softtail with an EVO motor, and up until a week ago I had no issues with it. Then, on a rather short ride to the local bar, my bike just turned off as we were turning into the bar. No lights, no ignition, no power, no anything. The bike was dead. I pulled the seat off, moved some wires and in general just waited a minute, and then she fired right back up. It was fine the rest of the night.
Then, the next day, I was on a ride with some buddies, and we stopped at a stop sign. As soon as I went to accelerate, the bike shut off again. Same issue. No lights, no power, no ignition. I did the same thing as last time, but now I still have nothing. I pulled the battery out and checked it, and the battery is fine. It holds power and charges up without issue, and is currently sitting on the tender. I am unaware of where fuses or circuit breakers, depending on the bike, would be. Any ideas what the hell is wrong with it or where I should start to look? Please be as descriptive as possible as to where I should check and what to look for.
Thanks for helping out the new kid!
New to the forum, and I am in need of some seasoned riders to give me some advice. I have searched all over the forums and haven't found an answer.
I own a 1985 Harley FXSTS Softtail with an EVO motor, and up until a week ago I had no issues with it. Then, on a rather short ride to the local bar, my bike just turned off as we were turning into the bar. No lights, no ignition, no power, no anything. The bike was dead. I pulled the seat off, moved some wires and in general just waited a minute, and then she fired right back up. It was fine the rest of the night.
Then, the next day, I was on a ride with some buddies, and we stopped at a stop sign. As soon as I went to accelerate, the bike shut off again. Same issue. No lights, no power, no ignition. I did the same thing as last time, but now I still have nothing. I pulled the battery out and checked it, and the battery is fine. It holds power and charges up without issue, and is currently sitting on the tender. I am unaware of where fuses or circuit breakers, depending on the bike, would be. Any ideas what the hell is wrong with it or where I should start to look? Please be as descriptive as possible as to where I should check and what to look for.
Thanks for helping out the new kid!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,300
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
Could it have been battery connection. Probably will go away now that you have reconnected. The light and the main start are separate breakers. So when it all went, it was the connection.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 27, 2014 at 02:02 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
It sounds like a loose ground wire.check both battery wires and clean them, if necessary.
Follow the negative wire to the frame. If it isn't loose, remove it from the frame and see if it needs to be cleaned.
Follow the negative wire to the frame. If it isn't loose, remove it from the frame and see if it needs to be cleaned.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,031
Likes: 12,552
From: South Carolina
Since you are losing all electrical, the problem is probably a connection to the battery or somewhere between the battery and the ignition switch. Check the connection at the main breaker, it is mounted to a copper strip at the positive post on the battery.
The tan wire connected to the main breaker supplies all power to the ignition switch, check the connection at the ignition switch. It is not uncommon for connections to come loose or break at the ignition switch.
I don`t agree with that, but I do agree that 90% of the people think that 90% of electrical problems are bad ground...
The tan wire connected to the main breaker supplies all power to the ignition switch, check the connection at the ignition switch. It is not uncommon for connections to come loose or break at the ignition switch.
I don`t agree with that, but I do agree that 90% of the people think that 90% of electrical problems are bad ground...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 28, 2014 at 05:38 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,031
Likes: 12,552
From: South Carolina
We`re trying to help imjake92 here.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Since you are losing all electrical, the problem is probably a connection to the battery or somewhere between the battery and the ignition switch. Check the connection at the main breaker, it is mounted to a copper strip at the positive post on the battery.
The tan wire connected to the main breaker supplies all power to the ignition switch, check the connection at the ignition switch. It is not uncommon for connections to come loose or break at the ignition switch.
I don`t agree with that, but I do agree that 90% of the people think that 90% of electrical problems are bad ground...
The tan wire connected to the main breaker supplies all power to the ignition switch, check the connection at the ignition switch. It is not uncommon for connections to come loose or break at the ignition switch.
I don`t agree with that, but I do agree that 90% of the people think that 90% of electrical problems are bad ground...
Yea but it gets them to check all the grounds and helps to find the problem.
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Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Alright, so I followed my wiring and found a bad connection on one of the neutral sides, as well as some corrosion. I'm going to clean everything up overnight and put it back together. I'll let you guys know what I find out. I appreciate the diversity of responses and the swiftness you guys got back to me. I'll let you guys know what I find.