I tried to start my bike up after hanging out my local HD's birthday bash and could not get the light panel to come on when I turned the key into the ignition position. I tried to turn it back to ACC and for a brief moment the panel came on and then went off again. I was not able to get the ignition system to come on again. I was obviously thinking that it is the ignition switch. Does any one have any other ideas or solutions? Thanks.

 

Hummm, how old is the battery? My brother started his to go home from work, got the the 1st light, stalled it cause it was cold and the entire bike immediately went dead. Replaced the battery and everything been good for the past year. When those little batteries develop a short, they go quickly.

 

Thanks I hadn't thought about that.

 

Well, If it's a Dyna or a Sporty I would definately be checking the connections at the battery first. My buddy's Dyna is good for loosening the battery cables at least once during our bikeweek outings. My guess is the battery sitting in there sideways in Dyna's and most of Harleys vibration gets transferred front to rear. Eventually the cables wiggle loose (at least on his 02 Dyna they do anyway).

This never happened to my RK or Softail although Even if your bike is one of those I would be checking that battery and connections first. Some batteries go bad and as soon as you put them under a load they break contact. Most auto stores can check that for you if you bring the battery in.

 

+1 on what's been said. Use crc anti-corrosive on the battery terminals and dialectric compound on all other electrical connections. Just cause they're tight doesn't necessiarily mean you have a good connection.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will check the battery and the cables and connections before I go further.

 

Just a little follow up....I couldn't get the battery out of the holder because of some wires that were wedged in...I pulled my seat and checked the connections which were tight and clean....I have enough battery in the ACC position to turn on the digital odometer and give the horn a blow although it is not as loud as usual....Tried to charge the battery but couldn't get jumper cables onto the terminals because of the way the battery sits....I am still convinced that the battery is weak although it could still be the ignition switch....I will have to find someone to help me haul it to my local HD dealer and have them make things right. Thanks again for all the suggestions.