Got my ride out today for a nice long run, turned key on, turned fuel on, hit start button......nothing...I mean nothing. Now: I do have a horn, turn signals, head light, high / low beams. After checking fuses and the like...for what ever reason, I moved the left control wire bundle around and it started up and ran fine for the rest of the day. What would that wire harness have to do with it not starting? Dazed and confused.

 

Maybe a rodent was chomping on wires during winter storage? Maybe a connection worked itself loose from vibration? Pull the tank and follow the wires to their connections. Maybe you’ll find the issue..

 

Left side is an odd one, since the ignition is on the right. Have you changed handlebars? Are you in the UK?

John

 

Thanks Owner. John, stock bars.......haaaaaaa no, I'm in SC. It is an 08 with only 8500 miles. Must have sat around a lot.

 

No problem. If you do pull your tank, this is the area most of the “bar electronics” wire conns end. (White circle) A screw and a couple zip ties hold everything together.

 

I had trouble with mine once, but the contacts on the ENGINE STOP button must have had some corrosion. Someone told me they are "self cleaning" and working them several times should fix it. IDK, haven't had the problem ever again. I see you got my little UK joke!

John

 

Don't the 08's have clutch and neutral safety switches?

 

Where are you at in SC brcree?

 

Hi John, we do drive on the other side of the road, as God intended, but that doesn't alter our Harley switch-gear! I don't know of any wiring differences in that department.

brcree, your wire jiggle may have identified a short to ground, which could soon spoil your day. The one thing of which you can be certain is that you should not ignore it! Investigate and put it right. If you do have a ground it only needs a nudge, some rain or washing water to cause it again.

 

the 2008's do have a clutch switch on the left side ... this might be something to check