Wiring / Electrical help needed

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May 27, 2013 | 05:32 PM

mdanehart

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Wheeling, WV

Wiring / Electrical help needed

The last day or so all of my instruments (gauges) inside the Batwing on my 87 FLHtC as well as the horn, nuetral light, turn signals and radio would stop and than come back on?

Now all has stopped working.....? With all of the experts onboard here, where do I begin?

May 27, 2013 | 05:39 PM

J F GO

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Joined: Aug 2012

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From: maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdanehart

Sounds like you've lost a ground some place.

May 27, 2013 | 05:51 PM

traildog

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Joined: Sep 2010

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From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by J F GO

Sounds like you've lost a ground some place.

May 27, 2013 | 06:24 PM

mdanehart

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From: Wheeling, WV

I will have to recheck the wiring diagram, It looked like each instrument appeared to be depend to ground. I was thinking ..maybe ...a relay / breaker?

May 27, 2013 | 06:39 PM

Uncle G.

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Joined: Jun 2010

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From: Upstate New York

Study the wiring diagram and look for a common ground point for the instruments that died. Start your search there.

May 27, 2013 | 06:54 PM

machinehed

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Joined: Oct 2011

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From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario

all stopped .

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdanehart

My 90 had broken wires at the harness flex point were the harness moves back and forth with the front end . Check this point for broken or weak wires in the harness. Also check/service a ground buss located at the left fork.
Removal of the headlamp will get you to the bolts for removal of the front batwing and that will give you access to all the old 1987 wiring and connectors that after 26 years will need some TLC.
Do a " stretch test " on the harness wires at the flex area descibed above.
26 years of this harness moving back and forth as you steer will weaken the wires to breaking or weakening point.
This is how ... park bike with bars full left , remove anything in your way to access as much of the harness as possible , slice through the wrapping to get to the individual wires. Mark the actual pivot/stress point on the wires , use 2 needle nose pliers to attach to each opposing end of each individual wire to try to " stretch " the wire.
Stretch each wire forcefully with the pliers.
You will be able to pull apart the weak and open wires with enough force.
Repair the wires with appropirate butt connectors and heat shrinking covers etc.

May 28, 2013 | 12:22 PM

mdanehart

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Wheeling, WV

Removed headlight, batwing and what not...of the four circuit breakers all show correct voltage except the fourth one which is the one needed for the outage..
Trying to find the lost voltage?