Electrical won't start.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bowden, Alberta
Electrical won't start.
I have a real problem with my 1995 heritage softail I took her to the car wash and gave it the spring wash job ran perfect no trouble. Headed back home got about a mile and she just quit no power to the starter switch, all kinds of power to the lights, signals etc. just nothing to the ignition totally dead. I have taken the dash, tanks, handle bar controls apart to check the switches no power and checked the relay had power to one side not the other was clicking so I replaced the relay still clicks when it does there is power to both sides. I have unplugged the plug under the dash and cleaned it with spray brake cleaner let it dry overnight still nothing. Any help from any other riders would be greatly appreciated if this was a shovel it would be so easy LOL. Thanks in advance everyone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,690
From: South Carolina
Take a deep breath.....
And don`t buy any parts...
The wiring on that bike is not a hell of a lot different than a shovelhead, it`s just simple DC circuits.
Ignition switch on:
With your voltmeter, read the voltage at each stud of each breaker, Ignition, Lights, Accessory.
What are the voltages?
And don`t buy any parts...
The wiring on that bike is not a hell of a lot different than a shovelhead, it`s just simple DC circuits.
Ignition switch on:
With your voltmeter, read the voltage at each stud of each breaker, Ignition, Lights, Accessory.
What are the voltages?
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 25, 2020 at 04:55 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
When i read this " car wash and gave it the spring wash job ".
It reads like someone took a motorcycle to a high pressure wash and proceeded to soak the motorcycle with high pressure water.
It reads like something electrical got soaked.
It reads like someone took a motorcycle to a high pressure wash and proceeded to soak the motorcycle with high pressure water.
It reads like something electrical got soaked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,690
From: South Carolina
I took my bike through the car wash once, didn`t like it when that giant spinning brush came down and damn near knocked me off the bike...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 26, 2020 at 11:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,524
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Let it dry out in the sun. Next time wipe it with a wet cloth. Quick dry and followed by a cloth sprayed with Pledge. Windex the chrome. Winter after the Windex, use a cotton cloth with just a film of oil on the cloth. Any time I get caught in the rain, it gets an extra dry. . All I have done for 16 years
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 26, 2020 at 11:34 AM.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bowden, Alberta
I understand what you are saying but this happened last year when I was out riding also. I have washed my Harley's at car washes as far back as I can remember and never had this happen I can see if it had points etc. getting water in and not working but my ride won't even turn over and yes there is 12.5 volts everywhere the lights work signals work brake lights and the horn just nothing to the starter. I am going to tear it all apart again and this time take my volt meter and check all the circuits for the voltage and go from there.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
I have gone back to read your post a few times trying and better understand..
It seems like you have 1995 heritage softail of unknown miles, unknown history and it is unknown if bike has any changes from stock.
You washed bike at a car wash.
Headed back home got about a mile and bike just quit.
It reads like you have power to lights and signals but no ability to crank.
You then report this happened last year when you were out riding also.
That would seem like critical information to me especially if it was not after washing or heavy rain.
To me it reads like you have a faulty contact.
Perhaps at key switch.
Has key switch been cleaned?
or perhaps the stop run switch or the wire to start run switch.
Alternatively you have one of the FOUR ends of battery cables loose like the other end of ground cable (end that goes to engine/transmission)
It seems like you have 1995 heritage softail of unknown miles, unknown history and it is unknown if bike has any changes from stock.
You washed bike at a car wash.
Headed back home got about a mile and bike just quit.
It reads like you have power to lights and signals but no ability to crank.
You then report this happened last year when you were out riding also.
That would seem like critical information to me especially if it was not after washing or heavy rain.
To me it reads like you have a faulty contact.
Perhaps at key switch.
Has key switch been cleaned?
or perhaps the stop run switch or the wire to start run switch.
Alternatively you have one of the FOUR ends of battery cables loose like the other end of ground cable (end that goes to engine/transmission)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bowden, Alberta
Take a deep breath.....
And don`t buy any parts...
The wiring on that bike is not a hell of a lot different than a shovelhead, it`s just simple DC circuits.
Ignition switch on:
With your voltmeter, read the voltage at each stud of each breaker, Ignition, Lights, Accessory.
What are the voltages?
And don`t buy any parts...
The wiring on that bike is not a hell of a lot different than a shovelhead, it`s just simple DC circuits.
Ignition switch on:
With your voltmeter, read the voltage at each stud of each breaker, Ignition, Lights, Accessory.
What are the voltages?
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bowden, Alberta
I have gone back to read your post a few times trying and better understand..
It seems like you have 1995 heritage softail of unknown miles, unknown history and it is unknown if bike has any changes from stock.
You washed bike at a car wash.
Headed back home got about a mile and bike just quit.
It reads like you have power to lights and signals but no ability to crank.
You then report this happened last year when you were out riding also.
That would seem like critical information to me especially if it was not after washing or heavy rain.
To me it reads like you have a faulty contact.
Perhaps at key switch.
Has key switch been cleaned?
or perhaps the stop run switch or the wire to start run switch.
Alternatively you have one of the FOUR ends of battery cables loose like the other end of ground cable (end that goes to engine/transmission)
It seems like you have 1995 heritage softail of unknown miles, unknown history and it is unknown if bike has any changes from stock.
You washed bike at a car wash.
Headed back home got about a mile and bike just quit.
It reads like you have power to lights and signals but no ability to crank.
You then report this happened last year when you were out riding also.
That would seem like critical information to me especially if it was not after washing or heavy rain.
To me it reads like you have a faulty contact.
Perhaps at key switch.
Has key switch been cleaned?
or perhaps the stop run switch or the wire to start run switch.
Alternatively you have one of the FOUR ends of battery cables loose like the other end of ground cable (end that goes to engine/transmission)