Electrical Issue on a 1993 Fatboy
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 22
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From: Syracuse, NY
Electrical Issue on a 1993 Fatboy
Riding the bike last night, and all of a sudden I lost all power while at highway speeds. The engine shut down and I lost all lights. The only light tat was staying on was the oil light, but it was real dim. After taking off the dash panel I found a few loose connections on the ignition switch. Got her started back up rode about two miles and she did the same thing. Got her home and I replaced the ignition switch(had a new one laying around). Rode the bike today, after riding about ten or so minutes, the problem reoccured. Iam going to go thru the wiring on the bike. Any Ideas?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I believe there was a recall for the main circuit breaker on the '93's. It would get hot if over loaded ,but sometimes would trip and not reset itself. I'd start there. I had the one on my'93 ultra die on me at 4pm on a Saturday in the dealers parking lot.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 322
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From: California
Do what your doing. Jiggle connections to see if lights flicker. Sometimes a crimp might cut a wire completely. One thing that has saved me a couple times is my jump wire I told a few people about. Plumbs in a constant 12 volts to the coil and ignition module without turning on the ignition switch.
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Syracuse, NY
I8SMK4U, Thanks for the info. So with the jumper wire you described, you are basically removing the switch 12V source for the ignition module and coil and replacing with a constant 12V supply? If this is the case the ignition switch will be mainly used basically for lights? Also how would the bike start without the use of the start button?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: California
I have been diagnosing problems for a while. I bought my bike used and it had a lot of "custom" wiring. I only use the jump wire in emergencies. I don't remove anything. Ya it sucks working on the side of the road but you got a chance to get home. I have a battery tender pigtale on my mike too. To start the bike I have yet another jump wire with an inline switch that one end plugs into the pigtale from battery tender and the other plugs into the starter solinoid where the green wire is. To simple tricks that I keep in my saddle bags. just in case.
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i would replace all the circuit breakers first. you can get them at auto parts stores for about $7-$8 each. i think there are 4 of them. my 85 has 4 breakers. i would think the main breaker is bad. i would replace the rest of them too.
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Syracuse, NY
Ok this is embarassing but oh well. So I replaced the main circuit breaker, it needed it the inside was pretty beat. But the problem still happened when I shook a wire harness. So I turned off the light in my garage, and noticed a sparking coming from the ignition coil area. The 12V ignition coil wire was loose, and hitting the engine cylinder, causing the bike to turn off. Repaired the wire and wrapped it in heat shrink. Now its good as new.
Thanks for all the info.
Thanks for all the info.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 322
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From: California
Not embarassing, just the nature of the beast. The more things you you hunt down, the more you know about yoru bike. The thing about Evos, you kan rig'em to get you home. If that was loose, I would still check all the other connections. Others might be loose. 