Electrical issue
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 78
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From: Ontario
Electrical issue
Having an issue with my 98 Electraglide.No guage lights,radio, headlight etc.I recently installed a push button on the solenoid. Went to try it and starter turned but bike was in gear so put it in neutral and tried again.Starter turned for a second then lost all power .I also noticed that ignition was in the off position when i pushed the button and starter still turned.Is that normal? I checked all fuses and look good visably.Also checked main circ breaker and is good.(12.8 volts on both sides of main breaker.)I did have the inner fairing apart for paint but everything worked guages ,radio etc when i re assembled it untill i pushed the solenoid button.Any ideas as where to look next.thks
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Cape Cod
How old is that battery?
Take it out and have it load tested.
You cant even start to diagnose unless you can confirm a good battery,
It can show 12.8v but cant handle a load, so have it checked.
Take it out and have it load tested.
You cant even start to diagnose unless you can confirm a good battery,
It can show 12.8v but cant handle a load, so have it checked.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 142
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From: Slovenia
I think it is normal that it starts without ignition on, because the starter has direct + from the battery, so when you push selenoid in the starter automaticly starts.
For the failures that apired after trying to start, maybe it was a current overload and it blew ground wire or wires, so worth checking those. But defenetly first make sure, that baterry is ok.
For the failures that apired after trying to start, maybe it was a current overload and it blew ground wire or wires, so worth checking those. But defenetly first make sure, that baterry is ok.
Last edited by JuzySoftail; Jan 24, 2026 at 12:29 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 406
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From: Iowa
My '96 Heritage Classic has done this a few times. Every time it's happened, one of the battery cables was just very slightly loose at the battery. Tightening up the cable connection fixes it for me
It seems weird to me that it loses all power when this happens. You'd think the headlights or other lights would come on, but no. It dies completely until the connections are good and tight.
It seems weird to me that it loses all power when this happens. You'd think the headlights or other lights would come on, but no. It dies completely until the connections are good and tight.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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From: Ontario
I will check that out tomorrow after the battery is fully charged.Interesting you say that though becaise i have the battery out of the bike as i just installed the inner fairing and guages after paint. I had the battery beside the bike connected with cheap aligator clips.I was just testing the operation of the guages,lights ,radio etc before installing the outer fairing.Everything was working fine untill i pushed the solenoid button.Tomorrow I'll connect battery properly and see.
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From:
A push button on starter bypasses all security & switches since it is a direct connection.
From a distance it reads like battery is bad or a cable from battery is loose.
A load test would be a good idea.
From a distance it reads like battery is bad or a cable from battery is loose.
A load test would be a good idea.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 78
Likes: 20
From: Ontario
Yes that was it exactly.Charged the battery overnight, did a load test and all good.Put the battery in the bike properly and everything works.Thanks for the replies.much appreciated. One thing i dont quite understand about that solenoid button though...If i dont lock the forks when i park the bike,anybody could start it up and ride away.Is that correct?
