2000 Fatboy electrical problem

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Mar 22, 2009 | 06:29 PM

bm11027

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 11

Likes: 2

2000 Fatboy electrical problem

Good evening fellow HD bikers! I have a problem with my bike that I need to seek advice. I have a 2000 Fatboy and for some reason the bike dies without notice while riding. I have a medium level of mechanical knowledge but need some help troubleshooting. When it dies, I can simply turn it off (while riding) and turn it back on (with a backfire, naturally) and it fires back up and goes awhile longer. It is doing this frequently now. I have disasembled the ignition switch, cleaned the contacts, lubed and that seems to have not remidied the problem. The bike is basically stock other than the V&H pipes and a screaming eagle module under the seat. I am certain that it is not a fuel problem. It does have a Mikuni carb just to let you know that it is not fuel injection. Please help!
Thanks,
Murphy

Last edited by bm11027; Mar 23, 2009 at 06:07 AM.

Mar 22, 2009 | 07:16 PM

Other Sheep

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 5,615

Likes: 9

From: Escondido, CA

Check your battery connections at the battery and the ground to the frame.

Mar 22, 2009 | 07:59 PM

intempestivus

Cruiser

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 176

Likes: 1

From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Other Sheep

Check your battery connections at the battery and the ground to the frame.

Good advice. Sounds like the symptoms that come with a loose battery connection to me.

Mar 23, 2009 | 06:10 AM

bm11027

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 11

Likes: 2

Thanks. I will check that out.

Mar 23, 2009 | 07:00 AM

Da Gumpmeister

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 8,642

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From: Forest Lake, Mn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Other Sheep

Check your battery connections at the battery and the ground to the frame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by intempestivus

Good advice. Sounds like the symptoms that come with a loose battery connection to me.

I would actually undo them, put some dielectric grease on 'em, reassemble. Specially given the age of your scoot.
IF the prob still exists, then I unplug, and replug all the connectors, and likewise, a lil' dielectric grease. You could have a loose or corroded connector.
After all that, prob still exists. Now you are down to using the wiring schematic, and tracing the wires, checking for continuity, whilst trying to 'jostle' them about, to create the "OPEN".

FYI, this is why it is almost impossible, to give a 'quote' to fix an electrical prob. Could take 15 minutes, could take 3 hours, OR could take even LONGER.
BTW - Dielectric grease is available at parts stores, everywhere. It ranks just as high on my list of "have to haves" as anti-seize compound and Loctite. It really needs to be used during assembly. BUT they are interested in the bottom line, and to them, the cost does not justify the reward down the line.

One of the 'major' culprits causing these types of 'corrosion' failures, is the soaps and chems that get forced into the connectors during high pressure washing. IMFUO.

Good luck. And if/when you isolate it, let us know, okay? Always looking for more info/tricks/guidelines. THANX!!!!

Mar 23, 2009 | 09:01 AM

DR.Greenthumb

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 918

Likes: 5

From: So. Cal

I had the same symptoms with my 03 Fatboy,turned out to be the main cicuit breaker located behind the rear tire splash gaurd.Check it out

Mar 23, 2009 | 09:11 AM

seniorsuperglideE8

Supporter

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 15,788

Likes: 5,639

From: along the shore of Mishigami

I've seen the same issues with the main circuit breaker, check the connections make sure they are clean. Buy a new C/B if the connections don't fix the problem. What could be happening is the breaker is overheating due to high resistance, shutting off, it cools off allowing the flow of juice till it heats up. Rode next to a road king in a parade, ugly situation in front of crowds.