weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: New York
weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
long story, but here goes.
Last yr, my tach quit working. I figured the tach was shot. Earlier this summer, my horn quit working. Tested the horn off a battery charger, the horn works. Then my oil light stopped coming on when i turned the key on. Now tonight, the lights behind my speedo and tach quit working. And heres where it gets goofy. When I step on the rear break, the lights come on, and wouldn't you know, that tach starts to work. Let off the break, lights and tach quit working.
Its got circuit breakers and they are supposed to reset themselves from what the book says. I'm confused. How is the break effecting the guages?? As always, any help is greatly appreciated.
Last yr, my tach quit working. I figured the tach was shot. Earlier this summer, my horn quit working. Tested the horn off a battery charger, the horn works. Then my oil light stopped coming on when i turned the key on. Now tonight, the lights behind my speedo and tach quit working. And heres where it gets goofy. When I step on the rear break, the lights come on, and wouldn't you know, that tach starts to work. Let off the break, lights and tach quit working.
Its got circuit breakers and they are supposed to reset themselves from what the book says. I'm confused. How is the break effecting the guages?? As always, any help is greatly appreciated.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
Me again. Most likely you have a bad ground. Check the bulb sockets to be certain no voltage is getting there. If no volts, then check further down the line, heading for the battery as your last stop.
If you have 12V at the sockets, then the base(s) of the bulbs are not grounding correctly........pg
If you have 12V at the sockets, then the base(s) of the bulbs are not grounding correctly........pg
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: New York
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
Not to be a pain here, but i am lousy with electrical. What method do i use for testing the bulb socket? And roughly how many grounds am i gonna have. I know the main ground from the battery to the engine, and thats about it.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: New York
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
ok think i found the problem. Theres a plug with a few orange wires in behind the headlight. The wires are loose in the plug itself. Not just a loose plug connection. Oil light came on, hooked the horn up and that works too. Plus the guage lights came on. Didn't start it, but i'll assume the tachs gonna work too.
Problem now is, do i cut the wires and hook them together by soldering or a connector, and delete the plug or what? And I still can't understand what that has to do with the brake.
Problem now is, do i cut the wires and hook them together by soldering or a connector, and delete the plug or what? And I still can't understand what that has to do with the brake.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From:
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
Cant say for sure but thats where my problem was.... the turn signal
relay unit was there and it shorted out causing all kinds of weird electricsl problems but most esp no charge. I put in new relay and wired the rest of the wires with connectors. Dusty
relay unit was there and it shorted out causing all kinds of weird electricsl problems but most esp no charge. I put in new relay and wired the rest of the wires with connectors. Dusty
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
See, you found the solution to your own problem. If you want to eliminate the loose plug, then simply crimp on male and female plugs to each wire end. If you do this, be sure to spend $20 on the correct tool to do the crimping. You will use the tool later on as well.
I recommend you buy nothing less than a Klein #1005 tool..............pg
I recommend you buy nothing less than a Klein #1005 tool..............pg
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
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: New York
RE: weird electrical problem.. early 84 XLH
well she's all fixed. If you hadn't mentioned testing the headlight socket, I probably never woulda looked in there Pinion. Theres a few seperate wires into the plugs, but they are all connected by a platein the plug. So basically everything is all hooked together. Couldn't do seperate plugs because of that, so I wire nutted it all. And pleased to say everything works again.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thorsmith59
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
1
Jun 20, 2012 05:29 PM