Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection Need advice on ignition issues? Questions about a tuner? Have questions about a EFI calibration or Fuel Injection? Tips on Engine Diagnostics, how to get codes, and what they mean. Find your answers here.

Run switch short on 97 Sportster..maybe?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2008 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
brenn's Avatar
brenn
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
Default Run switch short on 97 Sportster..maybe?

OK, a few days ago I put on some new handlebars, which is probably where the problem started. A day or 2 later my run switch quit working - the bike would run but nothing happened when I switched it off, so I had to use the key to turn it off.

I assumed it was some sort of short in the switch.

Saturday I took the right controls apart and couldn't see any obvious problem inside the housing. Today, my bike is having more problems (1) the run switch still does nothing when switched off, but (2) the bike will die suddenly, then I hit the ignition button a couple of times and nothing happens, then it cranks up, but dies after 3 seconds, then after a few tries it will crank up and run, then die again later.

My only guess is that a short somewhere is causing the run switch circuit to be shorted to the run position at times, regardless of the switch ityself and to be in the off position at other times, regardless of the switch.

Any ideas what to look for or anything?
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2008 | 05:06 PM
  #2  
brenn's Avatar
brenn
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
Default

Never mind, just a "pinched wire." While I have read that there is no such thing as a "pinched wire," and that makes sense to me, I also read on another forum about making sure your control wires didn't get pinched in the brake lever clamp when you put on new handlebars. I had them pinched in the clamp bad. Fixed that and the run/kill switch works just like it's supposed to. Took the opportunity to tweak the handlebar angle a little and run the cables and wires between the risers for a little neater look. I feel a lot better now.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Damien Bessent
General Harley Davidson Chat
30
Oct 22, 2014 06:18 PM
zgodwin
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
2
Jul 12, 2012 09:32 PM
onemyndseye
Dyna Glide Models
2
Jan 7, 2012 09:55 AM
sutphen30
Ironhead
5
Jun 9, 2008 07:03 PM
DeathWind
Touring Models
9
Jun 9, 2008 11:14 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:49 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE