electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
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Stage I
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
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From:
electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
I just bought a 1998 custom fatboy from a friend and am having a hard time finding a manual that will help me solve the problem of it not charging. Can anybody help? It runs great but after riding a while it won't start with out a jump. I charged the battery and got it running then pulled the negative cable and sure enough it died. Any help would be appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 138
From: StL, MO. USA
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
Is it an H-D with custom work done...or is it a custom bike that looks like a FatBoy?
If it a custom, the FIRST place I would look is in the dash. Then start working my way thru tthe switches/lights.
- The dash lights are kinda prone to causing problems if any moisture get in there & starts corroding things.
If it's an H-D, I would start with lights & hand switches (especially if the bars have been swapped).
The electrical system is pretty basic...just a pain in the *** to work on because of how 'tight' is routed.
If it a custom, the FIRST place I would look is in the dash. Then start working my way thru tthe switches/lights.
- The dash lights are kinda prone to causing problems if any moisture get in there & starts corroding things.
If it's an H-D, I would start with lights & hand switches (especially if the bars have been swapped).
The electrical system is pretty basic...just a pain in the *** to work on because of how 'tight' is routed.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
You need a manual no matter what. Why won't a 1998 manual for a fat boy work for you?
Anyway: You need a volt guage for testing. Charge the battery, remove the plug in the front where the voltage regulator plugs in. Start the bike, measure voltage coming out of the stator it is inAC voltage. You have to rev it up to around 2,000 rpm's,not where I can check a manual right now for the correct voltage. If you have voltage then the stator is good, you can also check with an ohm meter for opens or grounds. If that is good check the ground for the regulator. Everything checks good regulator is bad.
I am doing all this frommemory have not had a charging problem in awhile. As all my family and friends have pointed out to me I am getting older and am not as sharp as I used to be!
Manual has all the steps on how to check the charging system.
Good luck
Moe
Anyway: You need a volt guage for testing. Charge the battery, remove the plug in the front where the voltage regulator plugs in. Start the bike, measure voltage coming out of the stator it is inAC voltage. You have to rev it up to around 2,000 rpm's,not where I can check a manual right now for the correct voltage. If you have voltage then the stator is good, you can also check with an ohm meter for opens or grounds. If that is good check the ground for the regulator. Everything checks good regulator is bad.
I am doing all this frommemory have not had a charging problem in awhile. As all my family and friends have pointed out to me I am getting older and am not as sharp as I used to be!
Manual has all the steps on how to check the charging system.
Good luck
Moe
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 599
Likes: 2
From: Narberth Pa 19072
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
I am not sure about A 98 . But the 92 Ultra I had .
The charging system does not charge at idle .
I think it had to be over 1,200 or 1,500 rpm ?
Before the charging system would charge .
Jack
The charging system does not charge at idle .
I think it had to be over 1,200 or 1,500 rpm ?
Before the charging system would charge .
Jack
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
Get the manual for a 98 fatboy. Local dealer should have or can get it. Other places have the manual but get the manual. It will tell how to check voltage and where to check the voltage . AC and DC volts and different rpms. Repair can be easy or involved but you can't fix the problem till you trouble shoot your problem.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Cadiz, Kentucky
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
ORIGINAL: Moe55
You need a manual no matter what. Why won't a 1998 manual for a fat boy work for you?
Anyway: You need a volt guage for testing. Charge the battery, remove the plug in the front where the voltage regulator plugs in. Start the bike, measure voltage coming out of the stator it is inAC voltage. You have to rev it up to around 2,000 rpm's,not where I can check a manual right now for the correct voltage. If you have voltage then the stator is good, you can also check with an ohm meter for opens or grounds. If that is good check the ground for the regulator. Everything checks good regulator is bad.
I am doing all this frommemory have not had a charging problem in awhile. As all my family and friends have pointed out to me I am getting older and am not as sharp as I used to be!
Manual has all the steps on how to check the charging system.
Good luck
Moe
You need a manual no matter what. Why won't a 1998 manual for a fat boy work for you?
Anyway: You need a volt guage for testing. Charge the battery, remove the plug in the front where the voltage regulator plugs in. Start the bike, measure voltage coming out of the stator it is inAC voltage. You have to rev it up to around 2,000 rpm's,not where I can check a manual right now for the correct voltage. If you have voltage then the stator is good, you can also check with an ohm meter for opens or grounds. If that is good check the ground for the regulator. Everything checks good regulator is bad.
I am doing all this frommemory have not had a charging problem in awhile. As all my family and friends have pointed out to me I am getting older and am not as sharp as I used to be!
Manual has all the steps on how to check the charging system.
Good luck
Moe
Tim
PS don't replace the stator and not the regulator
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From:
RE: electrical problem with 98 custom fatboy
.
- your bike is not charging (ie , it dies the moment
the neg lead on the battery is disconnected).
- my 96 Her.Softail did the exact same thing.
- check your regulator and the charging output
of the stator (the two pins near the oil filter).
- likely the regulator.
cheers
.
- your bike is not charging (ie , it dies the moment
the neg lead on the battery is disconnected).
- my 96 Her.Softail did the exact same thing.
- check your regulator and the charging output
of the stator (the two pins near the oil filter).
- likely the regulator.
cheers
.
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