Starting problems
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Starting problems
1984 softail. I test the battery with a volt meter and it reads 12.8 when i turn the ignition switch to the "on" position i get a read of 0. or something close to that, no red light or anything. Turn the ignition to the "accessories" and i get no lights or anything. Occasionally if i flip the ignition from off to on it'll come alive but as soon as i hit the ignition button i get a click and the cycle repeats itself. Any help would be nice. When the ignition is on and the light is red the tail light, signal and horn work but the headlight doesn't. Also had to replace the brake light cause the light burnt out, it used to work about a week ago. Just had the voltage regulator and stator replaced.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Check your battery connections and be certain they are clean of oxidation and solidly tight.
Then check the connecting points of the main cables from the batteries to ground and the starter relay.
These connection points often have issues.
Then check the connecting points of the main cables from the batteries to ground and the starter relay.
These connection points often have issues.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Absolutely!also ,at your zero reading check at both battery post and on the cable and see if they differ.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
So i found an orange wire that runs from the ignition to the forks, it had a medium sized splice in it that was most likely arching on the frame. When you look at the frame where that wire was it stripped most of the paint away (I couldn't see this because the right tank was in the way). So i started taping up the wire and pulled a bit too hard and it literally came right out of the harness. So i cut the other side of the harness and hardwired it together. Found another wire that wasn't connected and it turned out to be the headlight so now that works yay! After putting everything back together if i wiggle where the lights sit in the ignition it won't show the right (red) light coming on or either indicator, but keep in mind if i wiggle them they sometimes come on. So i took it for a rip down the street got gas and made my way back and power completely shut down on me twice. Is there possibly another short? cause i've followed every wire in this thing or is it just super old wires? By the looks of it it hasn't been rewired since manufacturer made it in 1984.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
If wiggling the ignition switch cause the oil light to go on and off, I'd suspect the switch. They are known to fail.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
no I'm not wiggling the switch itself but where the wire under the metal bracket meets the seat for the lights. oil light doesn't even come on anymore. neutral and high beam work every time. Signal lights work intermittent if I wiggle them and oil light doesn't even flash or anything.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
If it has the original wiring, if you remove the seat...there is a junction block with a LOT of 1/4" quick connects...everything runs through the junction block, and anything can get unplugged or have a bad connection at this point. They were very problematic, and caused problems even when new...I removed mine and rewired the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
no I'm not wiggling the switch itself but where the wire under the metal bracket meets the seat for the lights. oil light doesn't even come on anymore. neutral and high beam work every time. Signal lights work intermittent if I wiggle them and oil light doesn't even flash or anything.
