1997 sportster problem
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1997 sportster coming home from work, lost power , would only idle, shut it off and had no lights or power, let it cool down and started back up till got hot, then did the same , lost power and when you shut it off had no lights , like the battery was dead, has 12.5 volts, cool down and it will start , I also noticed the the tack would mess up when it was running, I checked all the ground wires, all look good, any one else have this issue?
You report you have a 1997 sportster.
The bike lost power coming home from work.
Does that mean it turned OFF or had a loss of speed ??
Then you report that it would only idle.
Did it going into idle from original loss of power or from a restart?
Then a report of shut OFF and no light or power ?
Do you mean the headlight does not turn ON and that other lights are OFF?
Report 12.5 volts?
Is that measurement at battery with bike OFF?
Report tach would mess up when running?
Do you mean the tachometer was not responding correctly..maybe bouncing higher and lower without a relationship to motor?
We can not see or hear and have very little description of the bike.
It was very difficult to read but based on information provided:
The battery voltage at rest of 12.5 would indicate a charged battery.
The bike being able to start would indicate a battery that has enough amps to start.
If the battery is good then i will take a wild guess that untested charging system is OK.
I am thinking you have checked fuel issues, like petcock fuel delivery,trash in tank and a possible fuel cap issue. A small piece of trash in the tank like loose tank liner could plug inlet.
Loose battery cable (check the four ends).
A short to ground someplace.
Or the run/stop switch clamp area (handlebar) needs to be opened, look at the wires inside that clamp area for the run/stop switch...the switch itself might be fine but the wires are somehow damaged before the switch inside clamp .
You do not have one problem but two in my opinion making the diagnosis confusing.
Thinking fuel delivery and the run/stop switch indicated.
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: ohio
97 sportster problem
The battery is 5 years old , I do not think it is the fuel problem due to the power problem with the lights, when it does this the tack points south and it will only idle , try to give it gas and it sounds like it running on one cylinder, the ground is good, only does it when it is hot
Buddy first thing after you get the battery load tested, I would start with a good wiring diagram in your owners manual. Logically, from the battery, ALL systems, lights, ignition, horn, tach start with the ignition switch. Check all your wiring on each end.
Had a problem very similar to this not long ago on my ole '96. It was a loose power (red) wire in the main bundle to the ignition switch. When it goes bad, it all goes bad, tach included.
Had a problem very similar to this not long ago on my ole '96. It was a loose power (red) wire in the main bundle to the ignition switch. When it goes bad, it all goes bad, tach included.
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