Have a problem that seems like it should be fairly straightforward but not being a mechanic it has me stumped. Carbureted 2003 Heritage that's been sitting for a couple years due to health problems, battery fully charged, if I turn the ignition switch to ACC I get nothing - no instrument panel lights, no headlights, nothing. If I turn it to ignition the instrument panel lights up, and I can hear the fuel pump come on, but it won't crank (with switch in run position). I have power at the ignition switch but voltage seems to drop on the other terminals when I turn it on. Also when I remove it and put a meter on it it seems to be ok. Wondering if anyone might have any experience with this.

 

Congratulations on your first post to HDF, to the Forum.

1. How old is your battery?
2. Remove it from the motorcycle, charge it up fully and take it to a local auto parts store and have it load tested.
3. After that is accomplished, report back on the battery load test.

 

Welcome to the forum from central Texas. Like medicine, the most common things happen most commonly.

You probably have a bad battery. Has the battery been on a battery tender the couple of years it has been sitting? "Battery fully charged" doesn't mean that it has enough juice to start the bike. What does "when I remove it and put a meter on it it seems to be ok" mean? Seems to be and is are different as you are finding out.

What is the measured voltage when not cranking the engine? Whet is the measured voltage when attempting to start the bike? Have the battery load tested. It is free at any auto parts store. Post back the results of the load test.

 

I agree that #1 check is the battery, as well as the cables for tightness/corrosion, especially the ground at the frame forward of the seat...

But if your 12V power source is verified to be good, I would then look at the ignition switch.

Bikes of that vintage (my '03 Heritage is one example) have had issues with the contacts in the main ignition rotary switch being corroded.... Many have been able to disassemble the switch, clean the contacts, then reassemble with great results..

It's worth trying to clean the switch before buying a new one...


If you should decide to clean your old switch, take pics as you disassemble the switch. Disassemble one step at a time, and look out for the small springs and detent pins....

Here are some pics of mine during disassembly and cleaning. I took it apart, cleaned it, and have not had power issues since...