Battery/ground problem
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1,190
Battery/ground problem
The bike is a '94 Electra Glide. I replaced the battery a couple of days ago---should be a simple task. But when I went to start the bike, I got a bunch of bizaare symptoms. Pressing the starter produces notthing. I have no passing lamps (I do have a headlamp), no turn signals, no horn, no tail or brake lights, although I do have running lights in front. Pressing a turn signal button causes the headlight to dim briefly.
Fuses are all okay.
Uusally this kind of weirdness is a ground problerm somewhere, but other than poking around a little, I have no other ideas as to where to look.
Any advice is appreciated.
Fuses are all okay.
Uusally this kind of weirdness is a ground problerm somewhere, but other than poking around a little, I have no other ideas as to where to look.
Any advice is appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,135
From: W. Texas
I'd bet you know to double ck the connections at the battery so do that just to be sure.
Ya said fuses are good by chance does your bike have circuit breakers in the system.
I know it would be a stretch but have you got anyway of cking the battery.
Best of luck WP
Ya said fuses are good by chance does your bike have circuit breakers in the system.
I know it would be a stretch but have you got anyway of cking the battery.
Best of luck WP
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 1,128
From:
What is the voltage when measured at battery terminals?
What brand of battery?
Does your application require the included spacers for battery bolts?
Have you checked the 4 FOUR ends of battery cables?
What brand of battery?
Does your application require the included spacers for battery bolts?
Have you checked the 4 FOUR ends of battery cables?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,632
Likes: 3,391
From: Cental, MI
Maybe...But, "New" don't mean ****...especially with Batteries...I'm gonna go with "Check Voltage at Battery"
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,445
Likes: 7,136
From: Beyond Fucital
My reference to the "New" battery was to point to where YOU could have screwed up.
Have a good day.
Last edited by RANGER73; Jan 8, 2024 at 12:45 PM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1,190
It certainly acts like back feed. The battery is a new HD battery, and voltage exceeds 13 volts. I've probably installed dozens of these over the years and never got a bad one. I double checked the cables at both ends and all along the way. I also double checked the fuses and what I think is the main breaker.
The weirdness continues to pile up. For example, when I can get the radio to work, I can turn it off by hitting a turn signal. Strange.
It's not my only bike, but I do like it as I rebuilt the engine last year when it hit 104,000 miles, and it runs great. (when it runs).
There's a good indy nearby, and I may take it there.
Thanks for all the advice.
The weirdness continues to pile up. For example, when I can get the radio to work, I can turn it off by hitting a turn signal. Strange.
It's not my only bike, but I do like it as I rebuilt the engine last year when it hit 104,000 miles, and it runs great. (when it runs).
There's a good indy nearby, and I may take it there.
Thanks for all the advice.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 822
Likes: 488
From: LA Ca.
It seems odd that there are posts of newly installed batteries causing issues. Your issue seems like you missed a wire to connect. Maybe pulled a wire loose from the other end, not the battery end, ground or the like. But then it could be you shorted something or fried it if you messed up. But, that is pretty hard if you made sure you got all the wires hooked to the correct battery terminal.
Not much help I know. Hope you get it solved quickly and cheaply!!!
Good luck!!!
Tom
Not much help I know. Hope you get it solved quickly and cheaply!!!
Good luck!!!
Tom
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1,190
Okay; here's the rest of the story, including a happy, if a bit embarrassing, ending. Afer trying everything I could think of, I installed a battery from another bike---instant start. I should've done this in the first place.
I just couldn't believe a crap battery could produce that many weird symptoms. Could be that the dealer is near Phoenix where summers can be brutal.
Anyway, I'm heading back to the dealer. Thanks for all the advice.
I just couldn't believe a crap battery could produce that many weird symptoms. Could be that the dealer is near Phoenix where summers can be brutal.
Anyway, I'm heading back to the dealer. Thanks for all the advice.
