sportster 48 won't turn on at all
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
sportster 48 won't turn on at all
My 48 worked a week ago rode it around the block.
I kept it off the charge for a while and then thinking it was fine I tried to turn it on again. it flickered a few times and didnt turn on. I figured the battery was low or dead so i put it on the charger
today i tried it again and when I turn it to ACC my time is reset to 12:00 and it flickers. I turn to ignition and everything turns off.
whats up with this?
any help would be great..
I kept it off the charge for a while and then thinking it was fine I tried to turn it on again. it flickered a few times and didnt turn on. I figured the battery was low or dead so i put it on the charger
today i tried it again and when I turn it to ACC my time is reset to 12:00 and it flickers. I turn to ignition and everything turns off.
whats up with this?
any help would be great..
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 43
From: In the foothills of southwestern NC - US of A
Before going the new battery route I would suggest checking the cables from the battery AND all your ground connections at the frame, because if those connections are corroded you could put new batteries in it all day long and still end up with the same result. Also as mentioned above, check the condition of your fuses, a known area where corrosion can inhibit the flow of juice out to your electrics. If found to be suspect, remove each one, clean the contacts and replace the fuses using dielectric grease to help prevent further occurances.
If the connections/fuses are free from corrosion then go get the battery load tested. 'Takes but a few minutes at any reputable repair shop and will end any speculation about the battery, like pronto.
And if all is good and you still have no go, you need to look systematically at things...ignition switch, etc.
Hope you get it sorted out!
=8^)
If the connections/fuses are free from corrosion then go get the battery load tested. 'Takes but a few minutes at any reputable repair shop and will end any speculation about the battery, like pronto.
And if all is good and you still have no go, you need to look systematically at things...ignition switch, etc.
Hope you get it sorted out!
=8^)
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 321
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
+1 on checking your battery cables. I had a similar issue on my 2013 Custom. Started up fine one day then a few days later it would try to turn over then click. Clock reset, etc. Used a trickle to try and get it charged up. The battery would read 12+ volts but try to start it and click then the clock would reset, etc.
Finally thought I would pull the battery and try to charge it with an actual battery charger to see if the battery could maintain the charge. As I was removing the battery (yes I know you don't have to remove the battery to charge it but I don't have electricity to my bike where it's parked), I noticed the ground wire was loose at the battery. Tightened it up put it all back together and has worked great ever since.
I'm learning that general maintenance with these things also includes checking for loose battery connections, loose primary tensioner bolt, and loose exhaust bolts.
Good Luck! I would definitely invest in some sort of volt meter as well.
Finally thought I would pull the battery and try to charge it with an actual battery charger to see if the battery could maintain the charge. As I was removing the battery (yes I know you don't have to remove the battery to charge it but I don't have electricity to my bike where it's parked), I noticed the ground wire was loose at the battery. Tightened it up put it all back together and has worked great ever since.
I'm learning that general maintenance with these things also includes checking for loose battery connections, loose primary tensioner bolt, and loose exhaust bolts.
Good Luck! I would definitely invest in some sort of volt meter as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey Somerset
+2 on checking the connections and the condition of the cables. Your symptoms are exactly what I have experienced in the past. The ends of my cables, the terminals, were either in bad condition or loose. I do not remember but I do remember that I cut the insulation, cleaned everything, and soldered the terminals back on. I did not experience any of the symptoms ever again.
I ended up buying a new battery before actually fixing the problem. Don't be like me! save some moooonneey!
I ended up buying a new battery before actually fixing the problem. Don't be like me! save some moooonneey!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 2
From: Western Washington
If it's a 48 it is a newer bike and probably not the battery. But if connections and fuses look good I remember people having problems with the voltage regulator.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
You can't work on electrical problems without a digital voltmeter. The first step in troubleshooting your problem would be to measure the battery voltage to the 1/10th of a volt. A good, charged battery should measure 12.7 - 12.8 volts.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Brunei
My 48 worked a week ago rode it around the block.
I kept it off the charge for a while and then thinking it was fine I tried to turn it on again. it flickered a few times and didnt turn on. I figured the battery was low or dead so i put it on the charger
today i tried it again and when I turn it to ACC my time is reset to 12:00 and it flickers. I turn to ignition and everything turns off.
whats up with this?
any help would be great..
I kept it off the charge for a while and then thinking it was fine I tried to turn it on again. it flickered a few times and didnt turn on. I figured the battery was low or dead so i put it on the charger
today i tried it again and when I turn it to ACC my time is reset to 12:00 and it flickers. I turn to ignition and everything turns off.
whats up with this?
any help would be great..
Last edited by sfad; May 3, 2014 at 07:40 AM. Reason: .
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