Died while riding
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 123
My thinking is that this glitch or engine fart was caused by a slightly loose battery cable and a dirty air filter. Although I can't attribute either of the conditions to the problem I'm hoping that the combination of the two was the cause. What say you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,815
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From: Keizer, Oregon
6th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sask. Canada
I have had the same problem on my 05 deluxe, just died while riding a few times. After some checking , it turned out to be the kill switch. I took it apart and cleaned it and never had another problem. I'm not saying that it's your problem... just someting else to look at.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Couldn't he also test this at home if he has a DC Voltmeter? On my Sportster I had a strange issue. Battery would charge but then act dead when I tried to start my bike. Hooked up a Voltmeter after charging overnight and it showed 12.7 Volts. Then I hit the starter to put a load on it. According to the Harley manual the voltage should drop to about 11V until the motorcycle starts. Mine dropped to 4V. Swapped battery and all was good.
Just figured if he had a Voltmeter he wouldn't need to take the battery anywhere.
Just figured if he had a Voltmeter he wouldn't need to take the battery anywhere.
Last edited by KBFXDLI; Apr 13, 2012 at 09:21 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
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Most good meters are capable of checking amperage draw, but the connection must be made in series, and the probes must be connected in the correct plug on the meter.
An easier way to check draw would be to use the VDC setting as usual, and watch the voltage drop when trying to start the bike, if it only drops to 10 volts or so, the battery is probably ok, but if it drops down to 3 or 4 volts, it's bad, or there is a poor connection somewhere in the circuit, as the previous poster pointed out.
Last edited by Ragtop; Apr 13, 2012 at 09:53 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
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From: Norfolk, VA
Do you have a gravity or vacuum feed fuel petcock?
As I'm slowing down to turn onto my road the Road King, a 2006, just died. Electrics are on still, pulled to the shoulder and it started right up. Got to my driveway and died again as I slow down towards my shed. Started right up and I pulled into my shed and let it sit and idle.Shut it down, checked the ground off the battery and tightened it up, It wasn't loose but it wasn't tight, with a little force I could move it. The air cleaner was dirty, so I cleaned it up.Took it for a test and could not duplicate the problem. Earlier I noticed that the idle seemed high, now it does not. It only died when I let off the gas, would a dirty air filter starve the motor at low RPM's? Otherwise it never made any indication it was going to die, just shut off real quick-like.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 123
I don't have a petcock on my Road King, it's fuel injected. The kill switch is something to look into, cause that is exactly what happens. When you hit the kill switch all the lights stay on and the bike fires right back up. How about the System Relay behind the right side cover? Can something be sprayed into the kill switch to clean it up possibly? I never use that switch,it's always on, I turn the switch on the tank to shut it off and on.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sask. Canada
I used the tank switch all the time too... never touched the kill switch until it died. After I cleaned the kill switch I have been using it every time when turning the bike on and off and never had another problem with the engine cutting out while riding. I never did try to spray the switch with anything while it was still on the bars. Contact cleaner would probably screw up the paint on the switch housing. Something milder maybe? Or just working the switch a bit might polish the contacts up enough.
