Weird Electrical Issue
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Weird Electrical Issue
'02 Heritage Softail Classic, 23k miles. New to me a couple of weeks ago, I've only put about 300 miles on her so far because it's a second bike to me and for my son to ride occasionally. So I'm out for a short errand run today and the bikes dies as I am rolling to stop with the clutch in. Fires right back up. One of the stops on the list was fill up the bike, so I thought maybe I was a little lower than I originally thought and the gas just rolled away from the pickup in the tank. I fill her up and head to the next stop. It does it a couple more times. Finish my errands and I'm headed home and I look down, speedo stuck at about 48 MPH, no odometer and no dash lights. My son rolls up next to me at the light and says he can barely see my brake lights. Get her home. The oil light comes on when the bike isn't running, but no dash check engine light, no turn signals, or turn signal indicators on the dash. I hear the fuel pump wind up when I turn it on and it fires and idles just fine.
My initial thought was maybe the voltage regulator. I don't have a manual yet, will try and pick one up in the next day or so. Anyone have any experience with a similar issue? I was going to start with the basics, check the battery, check the VR, stator and look for maybe a pinched or corroded wire.
Thanks for any input.
My initial thought was maybe the voltage regulator. I don't have a manual yet, will try and pick one up in the next day or so. Anyone have any experience with a similar issue? I was going to start with the basics, check the battery, check the VR, stator and look for maybe a pinched or corroded wire.
Thanks for any input.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,040
Likes: 12,960
From: Texas, USA
Congratulations on the new bike. The Heritage is a fine machine.
Electrical issues can be tricky. Is the bike throwing any codes?
As you suggested, start simple.
1. Check the battery with and without a load.
2. Make sure the battery cables are not loose at the battery and ground.
3. Check the voltage regulator
Some of the symptoms you describe are indications of a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Vehicke speed sensor (VSS)
Others will chime in with their thoughts.
Electrical issues can be tricky. Is the bike throwing any codes?
As you suggested, start simple.
1. Check the battery with and without a load.
2. Make sure the battery cables are not loose at the battery and ground.
3. Check the voltage regulator
Some of the symptoms you describe are indications of a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Vehicke speed sensor (VSS)
Others will chime in with their thoughts.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Congratulations on the new bike. The Heritage is a fine machine.
Electrical issues can be tricky. Is the bike throwing any codes?
As you suggested, start simple.
1. Check the battery with and without a load.
2. Make sure the battery cables are not loose at the battery and ground.
3. Check the voltage regulator
Some of the symptoms you describe are indications of a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Vehicke speed sensor (VSS)
Others will chime in with their thoughts.
Electrical issues can be tricky. Is the bike throwing any codes?
As you suggested, start simple.
1. Check the battery with and without a load.
2. Make sure the battery cables are not loose at the battery and ground.
3. Check the voltage regulator
Some of the symptoms you describe are indications of a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Vehicke speed sensor (VSS)
Others will chime in with their thoughts.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 54
From: North Alabama
Pull the switch out and take it apart, then clean all the contacts, springs and bridges. Swap the worn contact/spring and bridge from the "ON" position to the "ACC" position.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
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From: Indianapolis, IN
I will try this as well, should be able to find some instructions or videos on how to remove the switch, no manual yet, thought i would have a couple months before I needed one!!! It is on order though.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 54
From: North Alabama
It's pretty easy. Pull the dash up and unhook all of the connectors to remove the dash (you don't have to remove the dash but I find it's easy to do and less likely to scratch something). Then remove the 4 screws holding the switch to the dash (5/16" socket I think). You'll see a big clip on the back side of the switch, push the middle of the switch in to relieve some pressure on the clip and remove the clip. Once you're that far you'll see the contacts, just remove them one at a time and clean them really good with a wire brush and install them back where they were. You'll easily see the worn contact compared to the others and it's position, move that bridge and spring to another position and move the "like new" bridge and spring from that position to the "ON" or worn position. Then reassemble.
My 02 Heritage started doing very similar things about the same mileage and traced it to the switch being worn and making light contact. Although it has nothing to do with the model of the bike or the mileage on the bike as much as it does from that amount of use.
Joe G did a really nice write up about the switch. I'll try and find that thread and add the link in just a few minutes.
Here it is. Joe is the man!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...le-riding.html
My 02 Heritage started doing very similar things about the same mileage and traced it to the switch being worn and making light contact. Although it has nothing to do with the model of the bike or the mileage on the bike as much as it does from that amount of use.
Joe G did a really nice write up about the switch. I'll try and find that thread and add the link in just a few minutes.
Here it is. Joe is the man!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...le-riding.html
Last edited by racerkvn; Jun 6, 2016 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Appreciate all the advice, it was incredibly helpful. I removed and cleaned the switch. Didn't fix the problem. Looked over battery connections and all visible wires, looked good. Found a blown fuse. Went ahead and replaced it, hoping it was just old. Fixed the issue, temporarily as feared. After a short 10 minute ride it blew again, and this time the left turn signal is staying on. Now I get to chase a ground or pinched wire somewhere. Fun!!! If the old lady doesn't want to go out tomorrow night I will do it then, if not my Saturday is booked.