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Electrical problem
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
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From: Lake Charles,La.
Electrical problem
HELP!!!
Here is whats going on i have a '04 1200 Custom Sportster when I turn off the ignition the light in the Speedo stays lit and keeps killing my battery Is this an ignition problem or something else has anyone heard of this or a fix for this problem im at a loss and the weather is getting beatuiful. Please drop me a line if you have any thoughts on the matter.
Here is whats going on i have a '04 1200 Custom Sportster when I turn off the ignition the light in the Speedo stays lit and keeps killing my battery Is this an ignition problem or something else has anyone heard of this or a fix for this problem im at a loss and the weather is getting beatuiful. Please drop me a line if you have any thoughts on the matter.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Do you take the key out of the bike when you switch off?
Which light in the speedo, do you mean the one that lights it up at night? If so remove the light and check the bulb, if unsure, fit a new bulb. If it still works, but stays on while the ignition is switched off, trace the wiring from that light, looking for damage.
Which light in the speedo, do you mean the one that lights it up at night? If so remove the light and check the bulb, if unsure, fit a new bulb. If it still works, but stays on while the ignition is switched off, trace the wiring from that light, looking for damage.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lake Charles,La.
No I do not remove the key. yes it the light that stays on is the one for illuminating the speedo when riding at night but its usually on all the time when the key is on im an electrician and i dont understand how the bulb would be a factor but will definately check it out i also bought a clymer (is that right?) i have not recieved it yet gonna do an amp load check after i order a new amp meter to check for any wires that have a load on them thanks for the tips
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Remove the key, there's a good chap! If only to see if that darned bulb goes out. If on the other hand the bulb has failed on, it will not go out, that is why I suggest changing it. You asked for advice, at least try it out! I have had bulbs fail that way over the last 40-odd years of motoring. You may have a rare fault, so look into rare possibilities. If nothing changes, then you need to follow the wiring, as suggested above, looking for a defective wire.
If you have a multi-meter check the amps at the battery terminals, while that bulb is still working. When your ignition is switched off there should be nil, unless you have an alarm, in which it should be very small. With that bulb removed, there should be no draw.
If you have a multi-meter check the amps at the battery terminals, while that bulb is still working. When your ignition is switched off there should be nil, unless you have an alarm, in which it should be very small. With that bulb removed, there should be no draw.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lake Charles,La.
At the present moment I am several hundred miles away from my bike i am just contimplating my problem while away i will certainly try what you sugested as i said in my previous post but thanks for being a DICK this will be my last post as i am going to find a different forum with nicer people!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Indiana, USA
Not sure about a Sportster but...On a touring bike you can rotate the key switch to an accessory position that allows things like lighters and radios to work but no power to the ignition and starter. When my touring key is in the accessory position, the gage light is on.
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