Having Issues
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 82
From: W.TN
Having Issues
1996 Heritage (FLSTN) 37,000mi on the clock
A week ago Sunday I got on my bike to go to work, turned the switch on and BAM! no headlight, no neutral light, and would not turn over. While checking it out later I hit the horn and wala everything lit up and it started just fine. I figured I had a loose ground so I tightened up the battery connection and also cleaned and retightened the grounds on the frame under the seat.
Rode some during the week and Saturday day with no noticeable issues. On the backside of a 100mi run it was dark and I noticed my lights would dim for like a millisecond and when I stopped for a pizza, went to crank back up and same issues as last Sunday reappeared. Again problem solved when I beeped the horn.
Removed the dash tonight and the pics show what I found. (not sure where they will show up but you will see that one part of the plug is burnt on both sides.)
I am mechanically inclined but am a babe in the woods when it comes to electrical issues so my questions are;
1. Is this a plug issue and simply replacing it will fix it? or
2. There is a problem somewhere else that caused this and I need to investigate further to find the cause?
I realize the bike is 21 years old and things like the plug burning thru could very well happen but if not where else should I be looking and what test should I be preforming?
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 57
From: Rijssen, the Netherlands
I assume that this burning is caused by oxidated contacts. It is unavoidable that contacts whatsoever are oxidating during the time. Oxidated contacts in plugs give a resistance which will develop heat. This heat will cause further oxidation and the circle starts. Till the moment that there are hick-ups in the contact. I have a solution:
- disconnect the battery +
- where contacts are mechanically to be cleaned with a small copper brush, clean them including the battery clamps
- where contacts are not in reach, disconnect the plugs, spray them with 'electrical contact spray' which will clean them. This spray is also sold in an electronic shops and is not conductive by itself. So no risks for electric shortages.
- reconnect the plugs
- reconnect the battery +
- test the entire system [if available, use a Voltmeter and read for unexpected resistances (lower voltages) in the circuit. Only if you can read an electric scheme, of course]
- repeat this every autumn before you park the bike for the winter
This contact spray is not only cleaning but also protective against new corrosion.
Good luck !
- disconnect the battery +
- where contacts are mechanically to be cleaned with a small copper brush, clean them including the battery clamps
- where contacts are not in reach, disconnect the plugs, spray them with 'electrical contact spray' which will clean them. This spray is also sold in an electronic shops and is not conductive by itself. So no risks for electric shortages.
- reconnect the plugs
- reconnect the battery +
- test the entire system [if available, use a Voltmeter and read for unexpected resistances (lower voltages) in the circuit. Only if you can read an electric scheme, of course]
- repeat this every autumn before you park the bike for the winter
This contact spray is not only cleaning but also protective against new corrosion.
Good luck !
Last edited by Bart van der Meulen; Jul 4, 2017 at 03:39 AM.
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