2018 Softail (Heritage) battery problem
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
2018 Softail (Heritage) battery problem
Ok, so 2018 Heritage, only 2 weeks old, about 200m on it.
I hadn't ridden it for about 3 days, went to start it on Wednesday and nothing. No noise, lights anything.
Put it on to charge and sure enough the battery tender (Optimate 4) showed a dead battery.
Charged it up (4+ hours) and it eventually started. I took the bike to my local dealer who took a look, did some tests and discovered the CCA figure was way high (Cold cranking amps... no, I had no idea either!)
So they fitted a new battery without any fuss.
That was Wednesday.
FFW to today - I rode the bike on Friday, so it's sat for 3 days and again this morning the (new) battery is dead.
Charged it up again (another 4 hours) and got it to my dealer.
This time they said the battery's fine, but agreed there's an issue. So they've updated/refreshed the bike's software(?) and said to keep an eye on it. They said Harley are aware there's an issue as they've had a number of such problems with the 2018 Softails, but as yet no fix.
(Just to point out, I'm happy with my dealer - they've been very helpful)
So I'm purposely NOT going to plug the Optimate in for the next few days, as I want to see if the battery drains again - at least there's then a measurable problem for the garage to delve into.
Anyhoo, I'll keep you posted, but if anyone knows of this issue, speak up
I hadn't ridden it for about 3 days, went to start it on Wednesday and nothing. No noise, lights anything.
Put it on to charge and sure enough the battery tender (Optimate 4) showed a dead battery.
Charged it up (4+ hours) and it eventually started. I took the bike to my local dealer who took a look, did some tests and discovered the CCA figure was way high (Cold cranking amps... no, I had no idea either!)
So they fitted a new battery without any fuss.
That was Wednesday.
FFW to today - I rode the bike on Friday, so it's sat for 3 days and again this morning the (new) battery is dead.
Charged it up again (another 4 hours) and got it to my dealer.
This time they said the battery's fine, but agreed there's an issue. So they've updated/refreshed the bike's software(?) and said to keep an eye on it. They said Harley are aware there's an issue as they've had a number of such problems with the 2018 Softails, but as yet no fix.
(Just to point out, I'm happy with my dealer - they've been very helpful)
So I'm purposely NOT going to plug the Optimate in for the next few days, as I want to see if the battery drains again - at least there's then a measurable problem for the garage to delve into.
Anyhoo, I'll keep you posted, but if anyone knows of this issue, speak up
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 8
From: UK
Exact same battery issue UK Softail Heritage Classic
I have a new Heritage Classic. Last week it would not start, battery read 7V, approx. 500miles. Dealer collected it and replaced the battery. Fine for a week and then at 900 miles same issue, non start and new battery reading 5.7V. Recharged it and its reading 13V, back at the dealers now, they have another one with the same problem. That's three in SE England!
Anyone worked out how to use jump leads on a new Softail?
Phill
Anyone worked out how to use jump leads on a new Softail?
Phill
Last edited by Phill Thomas; Jul 10, 2018 at 08:21 AM.
Road Warrior
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From: Puyallup, WA
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: New Mexico
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 8
From: UK
Do you have the HD alarm fitted? I think all 2018 UK Softails have an alarm and ABS as standard.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
From: Memphis
This has been asked before I believe. Do you keep your FOB anywhere near the bike when it's stored? FOB being your key. If so that will drain your battery on both ends. The fob sets out a signal everytime it's near to get your bike ready to start. If left by the bike that will always be on.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 102
From: Southern Ohio
12.7 VDC is about normal for a battery sitting idle with engine off. This represents 100% charged. When you start your bike it should read the output of the voltage regulator which is approx. 14.1 VDC.
High CCA should be a good thing. That just means you can provide more to the starter and other electrical systems if needed when you start your bike. Spec for 2018 Heritage says good battery should be 315 CCA.
If you are measuring the voltage when you start your bike you will probably see the voltage drop to about 11 VDC for just a moment, then the engine starts and the voltage regulator drives the voltage to 14.1 VDC
High CCA should be a good thing. That just means you can provide more to the starter and other electrical systems if needed when you start your bike. Spec for 2018 Heritage says good battery should be 315 CCA.
If you are measuring the voltage when you start your bike you will probably see the voltage drop to about 11 VDC for just a moment, then the engine starts and the voltage regulator drives the voltage to 14.1 VDC
Last edited by kenny55; Jul 10, 2018 at 05:13 PM.