1989 FLHTC Completely dead
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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1989 FLHTC Completely dead
I have an 1989 FLHTC that occasionally would start to skip and miss when riding. I remember actually turning the power switch off and on while riding and it would stop spitting and sputtering.
I have not ridden it in a while and was performing some maintenance on it when i decided to take a test ride around the neighborhood block. I got half way and the bike started spitting and sputtering, then when completely dead. The battery is good, but I get nothing when turning the power switch to ignition, lights, or accessory, no lights, no power at all. I suspect the power switch, but is there anything else i should check. Also, how do you pull this switch out? I have pulled the front faring off and it looks like i need to pull the radio to get to the switch, once the **** is removed. Thanks for any help.
I have not ridden it in a while and was performing some maintenance on it when i decided to take a test ride around the neighborhood block. I got half way and the bike started spitting and sputtering, then when completely dead. The battery is good, but I get nothing when turning the power switch to ignition, lights, or accessory, no lights, no power at all. I suspect the power switch, but is there anything else i should check. Also, how do you pull this switch out? I have pulled the front faring off and it looks like i need to pull the radio to get to the switch, once the **** is removed. Thanks for any help.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 933
From: Long Island
First, do you have the harley service manual? How old is the battery,check the voltage,if above 12.5 ,follow wiring diagram beginning with main breaker and go from there.You may want to refill gas tank w/ fresh gas ,clean carb.This is just a start to get you back besides a full fluid change etc.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
i would replace the 30 amp main circuit breaker. if that fixes it i would then replace all the 15 amp breakers too. check the cables to the battery as well, if they're loose it will give you problems...do this first.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
I have an 1989 FLHTC that occasionally would start to skip and miss when riding. I remember actually turning the power switch off and on while riding and it would stop spitting and sputtering.
I have not ridden it in a while and was performing some maintenance on it when i decided to take a test ride around the neighborhood block. I got half way and the bike started spitting and sputtering, then when completely dead. The battery is good, but I get nothing when turning the power switch to ignition, lights, or accessory, no lights, no power at all. I suspect the power switch, but is there anything else i should check. Also, how do you pull this switch out? I have pulled the front faring off and it looks like i need to pull the radio to get to the switch, once the **** is removed. Thanks for any help.
I have not ridden it in a while and was performing some maintenance on it when i decided to take a test ride around the neighborhood block. I got half way and the bike started spitting and sputtering, then when completely dead. The battery is good, but I get nothing when turning the power switch to ignition, lights, or accessory, no lights, no power at all. I suspect the power switch, but is there anything else i should check. Also, how do you pull this switch out? I have pulled the front faring off and it looks like i need to pull the radio to get to the switch, once the **** is removed. Thanks for any help.
When my bike had symptoms like yours it was a broken wire on the ignition switch.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
99% of the time...if the bike has power...and then all of a sudden doesn't have any power...the battery cable is loose.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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Thanks for all the replies. i am going to check power at the battery and move forward from there. Is there any way to test the circuit breakers with a meter, and if i find that the switch at the fork lock is bad, looks like i will be putting in a new switch.
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Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
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From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Test light will suit most peoples needs.
1, if there is pwr at Battery
2, is there power at the switch?
When you turn it to on, is there now pwr out the other side and so on.
Follow the trail.
1, if there is pwr at Battery
2, is there power at the switch?
When you turn it to on, is there now pwr out the other side and so on.
Follow the trail.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
And make sure to check both ends of both cables.