Electrical short? Help please
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Electrical short? Help please
I rode my 05 883 35 miles tonight.Stopped to get gas.When I tried to start it after filling up, it barely turned over like the battery was low. I let off the starter button and hit it again and it turned over very slowly but fired up. So I moved it away from the pumps, went in and ate a sandwich, and afterwards it started right up, sounding like it had plenty of juice. On the way home the headlioght got very dim and my oil and engine light came on running down the highway. I hit the high beam to see what it would do and it was very dim. Then all the sudden after I switched the headlight back to low beam it just went from dim to normal and the oil and engine lights went off. So as I was riding along the headlight went dim again for a mile or so, then all of the sudden it just got bright like normal again. May I please get some opinions as to what might be wrong? It did that twice on a 35 mile trip, but after the second time it never happened agin the last 15 miles or so home.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,882
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From: Glens Falls, NY
RE: Electrical short? Help please
oops - this is EXACTLY how my 05 behaved in the seconds leading up to the stranding on Sunday of Laborday weekend this past year.
I agreed, it could be loose cables, but for me, it turned out to be a bad voltage regulator. This is one that should turn up in your TSSM codes, do a search over in elec. and here is a link to Horley Hogs UK were you can find the readout of the TSSM codes Here
Good luck and let us know what it turned out to be
I agreed, it could be loose cables, but for me, it turned out to be a bad voltage regulator. This is one that should turn up in your TSSM codes, do a search over in elec. and here is a link to Horley Hogs UK were you can find the readout of the TSSM codes Here
Good luck and let us know what it turned out to be
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 744
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From: The Communist Republic of New Jersey
RE: Electrical short? Help please
A friend of mine had the same proble with his 1997 1200C. One of the wires to the tail light was grounding out to the frame. Seems like quite a ridiculous reason to have to push start a bike! Remember, it will not go away on it's own. Unless you enjoy push starting.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
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RE: Electrical short? Help please
'lectricals are a pain to track down, aren't they? As said, I'd check battery and all connections first to make sure they're tightened down. If that doesn't do it, re-check any wiring work that might have been done (I once had a problem with a rear turn signal relocation I did where one of the wires wore through and was intermittently shorting out on the fender...). It wouldn't hurt to have the battery checked out. And, yeah, do check the trouble codes for clues. If all that doesn't work, and unless you're real comfortable with a multimeter and wiring diagrams, take it in to the dealer - sounds like you're still under warranty. If you do want to be adventurous, picking up the Sportster Models Electrical Diagnostic Manual from the stealer would be a big help. Good luck!
EDIT:
Meanwhile - here're some hints from the service manual:
Alternator Charge Rate Is Below Normal
1. Regulator/rectifier module not functioning
2. Stator and/or rotor not functioning
3. Weak or damaged battery
4. Loose connections
Again good luck!
EDIT:
Meanwhile - here're some hints from the service manual:
Alternator Charge Rate Is Below Normal
1. Regulator/rectifier module not functioning
2. Stator and/or rotor not functioning
3. Weak or damaged battery
4. Loose connections
Again good luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Glens Falls, NY
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Burbank, CA
RE: Electrical short? Help please
Must be having too much fun riding 
Mine did a similar thing when the battery crapped out, along with carb farts, and just plain dying on the road. It was actually the starter that had gone bad and was frying the battery.
But, i'd venture to say its what you guys said, a battery connection or grounding issue first.
Mine did a similar thing when the battery crapped out, along with carb farts, and just plain dying on the road. It was actually the starter that had gone bad and was frying the battery.
But, i'd venture to say its what you guys said, a battery connection or grounding issue first.