1988 FXSTC Problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
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From: South Carolina
I meant Ohmmeter, but I`m sure you have a multimeter, and you will be able to check resistance with your meter.
Since the main breaker is tripping, the first wire to check will be between the main breaker and the ignition switch.
NOTE: Disconnect the battery before touching the wiring.
While the switch is exposed, double check all the connections at the switch, and the wires too. Sometimes the wires look like they are connected ok, but when you touch the wire it is broken (don`t ask…).
Disconnect the tan wire at the switch, and also the tan wire at the starter relay.
Make sure the terminals don`t touch ground while performing the check.
Connect one probe of the ohmmeter to the terminal on the tan wire (either end) and the other probe to the frame.
With the ohmmeter connected to the wire and the frame, move the main harness around and see if the resistance changes.
The resistance should be very high, but if there is a short to ground, the resistance will be low.
Follow the same process on these wires:
Red wire between the accessory breaker and the switch.
Yellow wire between the lighting breaker and the switch.
Brown wire between the ignition breaker and the switch.
Since the main breaker is tripping, the first wire to check will be between the main breaker and the ignition switch.
NOTE: Disconnect the battery before touching the wiring.
While the switch is exposed, double check all the connections at the switch, and the wires too. Sometimes the wires look like they are connected ok, but when you touch the wire it is broken (don`t ask…).
Disconnect the tan wire at the switch, and also the tan wire at the starter relay.
Make sure the terminals don`t touch ground while performing the check.
Connect one probe of the ohmmeter to the terminal on the tan wire (either end) and the other probe to the frame.
With the ohmmeter connected to the wire and the frame, move the main harness around and see if the resistance changes.
The resistance should be very high, but if there is a short to ground, the resistance will be low.
Follow the same process on these wires:
Red wire between the accessory breaker and the switch.
Yellow wire between the lighting breaker and the switch.
Brown wire between the ignition breaker and the switch.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 4, 2014 at 08:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 40
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From: Dallas, Texas
I believe I've found the problem. Took it for the same ride as I had previously (highway,beach,highway) but except today the temp was low 50's vs 80's. I didn't change anything on the bike and it ran like a top. I believe it is the coil overheating and that's what's causing the problem. Should be a simple fix, what is the recommended brand I should buy?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
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From:
I believe I've found the problem. Took it for the same ride as I had previously (highway,beach,highway) but except today the temp was low 50's vs 80's. I didn't change anything on the bike and it ran like a top. I believe it is the coil overheating and that's what's causing the problem. Should be a simple fix, what is the recommended brand I should buy?
OEM $10
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-DAVID...p2054897.l4276
Crane $78
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/...tm?Click=35177
Drove me nuts when mine went out, but was doing just as you say. Warms up, dies, let here cool down fires right back up. I always start with the simple and cheap stuff and work your way up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,744
From: South Carolina
I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but...
If the problem was actually the main breaker tripping, the problem is not a bad coil.
A bad coil can certainly make the engine sputter and quit, but it will not trip the main breaker.
While you are waiting for the new coil to arrive, I suggest you perform the resistance checks on those wires, and inspect the ignition switch and jumper wires.
If the problem was actually the main breaker tripping, the problem is not a bad coil.
A bad coil can certainly make the engine sputter and quit, but it will not trip the main breaker.
While you are waiting for the new coil to arrive, I suggest you perform the resistance checks on those wires, and inspect the ignition switch and jumper wires.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Dallas, Texas
It seems like it is definitely possible for a bad coil to trip the main circuit breaker cause they are directly connected thru wiring. Correct me if I'm wrong but if the coil is shorting out then it would trip the CB it is wired to, right?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 40
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From: Dallas, Texas
Also I believe that it's not a bad wire or a wire that has low resistance draw due to the fact that when I rode the bike in a colder setting the other day, there was no problem. But when I rode it in a much warmer setting the problem happened. I feel if a wire was shorting, going to ground or has a low resistance draw the temp would have to much of an affect on that and the bike would have shut down as it had previously... Just spit balling here but I appreciate different points of views.