Electrical problem?
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Colorado
Electrical problem?
I have a 96 FXDS with the 1340. Yesterday I noticed the Tach was acting weird and ultimately stopped working. During the ride the speedo stopped working along with the turn signals and the rear tail light. Headlights still worked along with brake lights...is there a fuse or something I should look for? Thanks for any help.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Today, turn your bike on and check those things again. It isn't essential to go for a ride, just see what works (1) on battery power, then (2) with the engine running. You may have a charging circuit problem, but let us know what you find. If you have a multimeter check battery voltage before you fire the bike up and when it's running, then let us know what you find. If voltage is either way below, or way above, 14 volts, go to the Sticky at the top of this Evo section and go through the charging circuit checks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
It's also possible your ignition switch is gummed up and only giving a partial connection on one side of the switch (there is one feed wire and two wires out, if the switch is gummed up on the accessories side I think the items you mentioned won't work, along with the horn.
The ignition switch is easy to take apart and clean, only need a ź nut driver and a snap ring plier. Mind that you don't let it spring apart when you remove the snap ring. I've had mine go out on both bikes and a simple cleaning and emery cloth to shine up the contacts got me back on the road with everything working. And it's free to try.
The ignition switch is easy to take apart and clean, only need a ź nut driver and a snap ring plier. Mind that you don't let it spring apart when you remove the snap ring. I've had mine go out on both bikes and a simple cleaning and emery cloth to shine up the contacts got me back on the road with everything working. And it's free to try.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Colorado
Checked bike based on grbrowns suggestions...when I turned on the ignition with out starting, everything worked. Started bike let it run for awhile, everything worked for a short time then stopped (headlights continued to stay on). Oh, the battery is brand new 500cca battery. So from what i'm reading, its probably the stator? So my next question, is this a job that's easy for someone with a little mechanical experience?
Again, thanks for any help I can get on this
Again, thanks for any help I can get on this
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
You have some great help in this thread so they will chime in, but personally, if I had limited mechanical experience I wouldn't tackle the stator. You have to remove the clutch, primary drive, & compensator to get at it.
If you don't have power tools and knowledge of what these are, I wouldn't attempt it.
If you do attempt it, a service manual is a must. There are YouTube videos that will help as well.
Personally, I was a mechanic in college and love to work on things. I have an ape install planned for this weekend. The stator job, the first time out for me, I'd estimate to be a 4-5 hour job from what I've seen. I have so limited time in my life, even though I could do that, I'd send it out.
Also, before you dig in that deep, post up your results from testing the stator so experts here can give you more advice to ensure you don't do all that work and it not solve the problem. I personally find it odd that the headlights stay on and other items go off. What is battery voltage when this happens?
If you don't have power tools and knowledge of what these are, I wouldn't attempt it.
If you do attempt it, a service manual is a must. There are YouTube videos that will help as well.
Personally, I was a mechanic in college and love to work on things. I have an ape install planned for this weekend. The stator job, the first time out for me, I'd estimate to be a 4-5 hour job from what I've seen. I have so limited time in my life, even though I could do that, I'd send it out.
Also, before you dig in that deep, post up your results from testing the stator so experts here can give you more advice to ensure you don't do all that work and it not solve the problem. I personally find it odd that the headlights stay on and other items go off. What is battery voltage when this happens?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: on the road
It seems there is a sticky on checking the stator on this site----------read it closely before you give up on it. Also the article has a replacement thread close by if I remember right . If your stator has quit your battery should go as well in time losing electric start voltage and taking the lights to nothing check it with a voltmeter with it running and lights on. Loosing the lights then getting them back seems to me to be another issue but diagnosis thru a computer screen is hard especially with the stator reputation the evo has
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
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From: St. Louis, MO
Pete I'm with you. OP have you jumped out your ignition switch to see if that solves the problem? Connect the center wire with the two wires next to it and see if your problem is solved. It's gonna spark so don't do it near gas fumes.