Seems like my starter is hooked up to my flasher...?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
Seems like my starter is hooked up to my flasher...?
Okay, that's the best way I can desicribe what my 2004 Heritage Classic (with alarm) is doing right now.
I went for a short ride and went to set the alarm with the pushbutton fob. Lights didn't flash, but the red light in the dash began flashing. I figured I just missed seeing the turn signals flash.
When I came back out and tried to turn off the alarm, no flash, no indication. The bike tried to start. But, it acted like the battery was going dead. Try to turn over, then stop. Try to turn over, then stop.
I pulled the seat to check the battery cables. Tried to start it again and it fired right up. So, I bee-lined for home.
The right turn signal didn't work, but the left did for most of the trip. I got it home and started fussin' with the battery cables. Cleaned everything good and it fired right up-- repeatedly. I felt I had it licked!
Then, on the shakedown run, the light came on again. Got it home, and double-checked all the grounds and battery terminals again. It's been a no-start ever since.
When I have the ignition on and hit a turn signal, the backlight in the speedo display blinks to the tune of the flasher, but the lights don't.
I figured I'd sleep on it and see what tomorrow brings. I have to cozy up to the service manual to check a few things. I've heard of the TSSMs going bad, but don't want to default there. I also know that grounds can do funny things, and my bike has got enough history that anything is possible, so I'll be tracing grounds for turn signals and such. it did throw two codes, b1121 and b1122 (turn signals will not flash). The fact that the dash light, and the starter seem to "flash" leads me to think that the TSSM is still doing the "On-Off-On-Off' thing it is supposed to. Likely have a ground issue somewhere.
Thoughts?
I went for a short ride and went to set the alarm with the pushbutton fob. Lights didn't flash, but the red light in the dash began flashing. I figured I just missed seeing the turn signals flash.
When I came back out and tried to turn off the alarm, no flash, no indication. The bike tried to start. But, it acted like the battery was going dead. Try to turn over, then stop. Try to turn over, then stop.
I pulled the seat to check the battery cables. Tried to start it again and it fired right up. So, I bee-lined for home.
The right turn signal didn't work, but the left did for most of the trip. I got it home and started fussin' with the battery cables. Cleaned everything good and it fired right up-- repeatedly. I felt I had it licked!
Then, on the shakedown run, the light came on again. Got it home, and double-checked all the grounds and battery terminals again. It's been a no-start ever since.
When I have the ignition on and hit a turn signal, the backlight in the speedo display blinks to the tune of the flasher, but the lights don't.
I figured I'd sleep on it and see what tomorrow brings. I have to cozy up to the service manual to check a few things. I've heard of the TSSMs going bad, but don't want to default there. I also know that grounds can do funny things, and my bike has got enough history that anything is possible, so I'll be tracing grounds for turn signals and such. it did throw two codes, b1121 and b1122 (turn signals will not flash). The fact that the dash light, and the starter seem to "flash" leads me to think that the TSSM is still doing the "On-Off-On-Off' thing it is supposed to. Likely have a ground issue somewhere.
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
I originally thought of that.
when I got back home and shut it off, I didnt set the alarm. Just turned off the ignition. Tried starting again and no go.
hoping to get some time on it tomorrow night. Will be riding in the truck for now! 🫤
when I got back home and shut it off, I didnt set the alarm. Just turned off the ignition. Tried starting again and no go.
hoping to get some time on it tomorrow night. Will be riding in the truck for now! 🫤
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,324
From: DeLand, Florida
Back then the actual alarm system had a battery in it. It looks like a 9v battery but is a rechargeable 12v. Mine went bad years ago and I could not find a new one so I removed the battery and all was good. What I’m Missing now is if someone disconnects the main battery, there is no backup voltage to sound alarm. Just a thought….
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Southeast
I finally got some time to go over the bike a bit more. I double-checked the negative battery cable. There are also three ground terminals under the seat. The "pogo" seat I have on it kinda changes the layout of the grounds. With the seat and everything off of the bike, I toyed with those three grounds a bit. I moved one over to the battery negative, the other two got a good cleaning and tightened down.
Even so, still no love. I'd love to say that my years of experience, sprinkled with wisdom led me directly to the fix, but it didn't.
It DID get me in the neighborhood though, so at least my spidy-senses are working.
I started checking the rear taillights. The first indication was that the right-side turn signal wasn't working, then both. I hadn't monkeyed with the front turn signals since I've owned the bike, but the rears have been off and on for various reasons. So, i started there.
I'd check a connection, and then try to start the bike. Nothing on the light bar made a difference. Then, since the seat was still off, I could get to the rear fender connector pretty easily. I worked the connector a few times and checked the wiring. All looked good. And, when I tried to start the bike, it DID!
I tried to look for any issues in the wiring under the fender, but my fender has the tube that the wires run through. Can't see anything. But, there are no connections between the fender connector and the taillight, so if there isn't any evident damage, I'm assuming the wire(s) aren't damaged.
I've started it numerous times, and it always fires right up. I rode it to work today and used the alarm (fob) and everything worked as intended. I'm callin' it a win!
Even so, still no love. I'd love to say that my years of experience, sprinkled with wisdom led me directly to the fix, but it didn't.
It DID get me in the neighborhood though, so at least my spidy-senses are working.
I started checking the rear taillights. The first indication was that the right-side turn signal wasn't working, then both. I hadn't monkeyed with the front turn signals since I've owned the bike, but the rears have been off and on for various reasons. So, i started there.
I'd check a connection, and then try to start the bike. Nothing on the light bar made a difference. Then, since the seat was still off, I could get to the rear fender connector pretty easily. I worked the connector a few times and checked the wiring. All looked good. And, when I tried to start the bike, it DID!
I tried to look for any issues in the wiring under the fender, but my fender has the tube that the wires run through. Can't see anything. But, there are no connections between the fender connector and the taillight, so if there isn't any evident damage, I'm assuming the wire(s) aren't damaged.
I've started it numerous times, and it always fires right up. I rode it to work today and used the alarm (fob) and everything worked as intended. I'm callin' it a win!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
Yeah. Not sure how long he'll STAY away. At least now, I've got a little better direction of where to look if/when it acts up again. But, as they say, 'You can't fix what ain't broke."
I DO feel a bit of relief that it doesn't appear to be a TSSM on the outs. That was my main concern. Not saying it won't, but they usually don't "fix themselves".
Will update this thread if the gremlin returns.
I DO feel a bit of relief that it doesn't appear to be a TSSM on the outs. That was my main concern. Not saying it won't, but they usually don't "fix themselves".
Will update this thread if the gremlin returns.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
Just wanted to update the thread.
Nah, he didn't.
Was just hiding.
I took the bike out for a ride and stopped at the local H-D dealer. On the way there, he popped his head up again and the turn signals started going goofy (not working) and it threw the code(s) again. It was on-and-off acting up. I get to the dealer and I set the alarm as usual, watching that the lights and all would flash accordingly. Everything looked fine. When I went to leave the dealer, the bike wouldn't respond to the fob. The light was still flashing in the dash, and it wouldn't start. And, the turn signals wouldn't flash like the alarm was going off. I don't have the siren.
I pulled the seat and monkeyed with the usual suspects. I pulled the dash, since the backlight would flicker when this happens. Nothing worked. I had a couple of guys stop by and offer help. But, of course we were trying to figure out what was going on, so no solutions were readily made.
One guy stopped by (Dan, who owns a VERY nice '04 Road King, btw) and we get talking about connections and stuff, that sometimes working them clears up the "gunk" that may be the issue. I worked through a few and then went to the fuse panel under the seat. I tried starting the bike after every attempt, and after I slightly "shuffled" each of the fuses, the alarm disengaged, the fuel pump kicked in, and the bike started. Ran fine the whole way home. So, when I got home, I pulled everything and cleaned all the terminals in the fuse block with contact cleaner and replaced each fuse in the panel. I didn't replace the relays. Didn't have extras, and didn't think to pick any up while I was out.
So, I think I know the neighborhood in which that gremlin has been living. And maybe, I might have even evicted him. Time will tell.
Was just hiding.
I took the bike out for a ride and stopped at the local H-D dealer. On the way there, he popped his head up again and the turn signals started going goofy (not working) and it threw the code(s) again. It was on-and-off acting up. I get to the dealer and I set the alarm as usual, watching that the lights and all would flash accordingly. Everything looked fine. When I went to leave the dealer, the bike wouldn't respond to the fob. The light was still flashing in the dash, and it wouldn't start. And, the turn signals wouldn't flash like the alarm was going off. I don't have the siren.
I pulled the seat and monkeyed with the usual suspects. I pulled the dash, since the backlight would flicker when this happens. Nothing worked. I had a couple of guys stop by and offer help. But, of course we were trying to figure out what was going on, so no solutions were readily made.
One guy stopped by (Dan, who owns a VERY nice '04 Road King, btw) and we get talking about connections and stuff, that sometimes working them clears up the "gunk" that may be the issue. I worked through a few and then went to the fuse panel under the seat. I tried starting the bike after every attempt, and after I slightly "shuffled" each of the fuses, the alarm disengaged, the fuel pump kicked in, and the bike started. Ran fine the whole way home. So, when I got home, I pulled everything and cleaned all the terminals in the fuse block with contact cleaner and replaced each fuse in the panel. I didn't replace the relays. Didn't have extras, and didn't think to pick any up while I was out.
So, I think I know the neighborhood in which that gremlin has been living. And maybe, I might have even evicted him. Time will tell.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,019
Likes: 7,547
From: Poolville
Did you possibly install led lights recently?? If so, without a load equalizer it will set the codes 1121,1122 and seeing you have a TSSM it could affect the starting function of the TSSM..
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
As an update, though, the fuse block cleaning has been working so far. The issue hasn't returned, and I've been riding it a fair amount. Got another bug to deal with, unrelated to electrical, but at least this one appears to have sunset.
The blessings of old bikes with "character,' right? LoL...