Idiot Lights - 04-06
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 980
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From: Leesburg, Florida
Idiot Lights - 04-06
Recently I replaced the regulator (more silly chrome) on my '04 Custom and started it up to see if I was going to have the Battery lamp light when running. It didn't; but then it never did under any circumstance.
When I turn the key on (without starting), the neutral and oil pressure lights in the top set of lights comes on and stays on, of course. On the face of the speedo, the Key light comes on momentarily, and if I have the "Engine on/off" switch on, the engine light comes on, again momentarily.
Since that "on/off" Engine light is only momentary, I'm not sure I understand the logic of it -- the position of the switch is more obvious. If I've left the key in the on position, the headlight will be a lot more obvious than that little yellow light. If the Fuel Guage lamp ever lights, I'll have to suspect something is terribly wrong.
But my question is, does the Battery light ever come on, or is the light burned out? Seems to me it ought to light when the key is on but the engine not running. If not, it looks like the only way I'll be sure the alternator's rectifier/regulator is doing it's work is to monitor it with a volt meter hanging on the battery.
Ok. All you folks with 04-06 models run out to the freezing cold garage, turn the key, and see what your's does. Bet it's the first time many of you ever looked at those idiot lights (me included).
When I turn the key on (without starting), the neutral and oil pressure lights in the top set of lights comes on and stays on, of course. On the face of the speedo, the Key light comes on momentarily, and if I have the "Engine on/off" switch on, the engine light comes on, again momentarily.
Since that "on/off" Engine light is only momentary, I'm not sure I understand the logic of it -- the position of the switch is more obvious. If I've left the key in the on position, the headlight will be a lot more obvious than that little yellow light. If the Fuel Guage lamp ever lights, I'll have to suspect something is terribly wrong.
But my question is, does the Battery light ever come on, or is the light burned out? Seems to me it ought to light when the key is on but the engine not running. If not, it looks like the only way I'll be sure the alternator's rectifier/regulator is doing it's work is to monitor it with a volt meter hanging on the battery.
Ok. All you folks with 04-06 models run out to the freezing cold garage, turn the key, and see what your's does. Bet it's the first time many of you ever looked at those idiot lights (me included).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
The battery light is most likely triggered to operate at a certain "low" threshhold that we aren't near by just turning on the key.I had a bad pager transmitter on my alarm that was a continual drain on the battery and at a certain point, the light would come on; however,nothing beats a guage...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,753
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From: Greenwood, IN
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
There doesn't seem to be any logic here. The reason the idiot lights on most vehicles come on when the key is turned on (before starting) is to ensure the bulb is not burnt out; otherwise how would you know they were not working..... I have a manual with schematics, I will see if I can figure anything out from that.......
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,753
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From: Greenwood, IN
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
Well, I haven't found much. The owners manual only saysthat the Battery Lamp in located on the speedometer anddoesn't ever mention it again. The service manual says absolutely nothing about it. I do not have the electrical diagnostic manual...... Oh, the schematics do not show a separate bulb so the lamp must be part of the speedometer (probably an LED) assembly; the parts lists also doesn't show a "Battery Lamp".... I will continue to investigate......
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Greenwood, IN
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
I have come to the conclusion that the Battery lamp like the Fuel lamp is probably not functional. The only conceivable external input which could turn it on seems to be the serial data link buss which is entirely possible but can find no information to support that conclusion. Also I do not have the internal schematic of the speedometer. So based on the fact that I know we do not have a fuel gauge or sending unit on the '04, (and there is no input for such), and it also doesn't light when turning on the key; it would seem likely the Battery lamp has no function either.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Leesburg, Florida
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
From the responses I've seen so far you could be right about the data buss, jakedog. I suspect that this less-than-useful function is probably controlled by the computer, since it's providing other data to the speedo (maybe that's why it's not very accurate). Possibly when the battery voltage gets low enough to make the the computer unhappy it turns that light on. Of course if it get's that low, you're not going to be able to start it anyway (anybody want to test this theory?). I'd prefer that light come on any time the charging voltage is less than the battery voltage or when the current draw exceeds what the alternator can supply.
I think I understand now why they call them "Idiot Lights," not for the owner but for the idiot who designed this system. It would be nice to have the owner's manual explain the purpose.
I think I understand now why they call them "Idiot Lights," not for the owner but for the idiot who designed this system. It would be nice to have the owner's manual explain the purpose.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 980
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From: Leesburg, Florida
RE: Idiot Lights - 04-06
I'm surprised how far down the list this thread had gotten, but just toput the final chapter on this:
The owners manual says the battery is fully charged at 12.8 volts. I pulled it off the float charger and let it sit for two days to see where it settled down to -- 12.62 volts. To verify that the new voltage regulator/rectifier was working, I rolled it outside into the 35 MPH, 38F degrees wind, hung the meter on the battery, and started it up. 14.35 volts... it's working.
Needless to say, the bike and I rolled right back into the house. Brrrrrr!
The owners manual says the battery is fully charged at 12.8 volts. I pulled it off the float charger and let it sit for two days to see where it settled down to -- 12.62 volts. To verify that the new voltage regulator/rectifier was working, I rolled it outside into the 35 MPH, 38F degrees wind, hung the meter on the battery, and started it up. 14.35 volts... it's working.
Needless to say, the bike and I rolled right back into the house. Brrrrrr!