Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8
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RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
I had a 2001 Ultra Classic that I rode to the east coast from Ontario Canada, had the same problem, the bike died without exaggeration 25 times, I visited every HD dealer between Ontario and Nova Scotia, replaced the main breaker several times to no avail, when I returned to my dealer I wasn't pleased to say the least, they tore the bike apart and found a broken wire on the voltage regulator but you had to pull the wire insulation apart to see it, no tell tale signs of arcing on the frame or anything. That seemed to cure the problem for about 2 years until I rode it to the west coast. While in Montana it started doing it again, I replaced the main breaker in the parking lot of a HD dealer because they were too busy to look at it, it seemed fine the rest of the way home to Ontario however I lost all confidence in this particular bike as I do alot of long distance travelling pulling a trailer and usually my wife or daughter on the back and got tired offeeling like I was playing russian roulette every time I got on the bikejust because it dies without any warning so I traded it for a 2007 Ultra, hopefully this one is better.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
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RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
Well like some above said WHAT YEAR AND MODEL??
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
when it dies it is either electrical or fuel.
Sounds kind of like a bad ground in the system.
Start by cleaning the battery cables at BOTH ends.
Every body always does the battery ends.
But I've seen numerous ocassions of corrosion at the frame end of the ground cable.
If bad enough it will shut everything down.
Also do the left and right frame ground studs under the seat and in front of the battery check the main circuit breaker while you're there.
There was an ignition circuit load eliminator service bulletin on the 98-2001 also.
For ECM to shut down it is normally a faulty ground, but could be other things.
Most shops any more if the scanalyzer don't tell them what's wrong they have NO IDEA
how to trouble shoot. No grey matter between the ears if you know what I mean!
Now it could be a lot of other things, but start with the easiest and least costly first.
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
when it dies it is either electrical or fuel.
Sounds kind of like a bad ground in the system.
Start by cleaning the battery cables at BOTH ends.
Every body always does the battery ends.
But I've seen numerous ocassions of corrosion at the frame end of the ground cable.
If bad enough it will shut everything down.
Also do the left and right frame ground studs under the seat and in front of the battery check the main circuit breaker while you're there.
There was an ignition circuit load eliminator service bulletin on the 98-2001 also.
For ECM to shut down it is normally a faulty ground, but could be other things.
Most shops any more if the scanalyzer don't tell them what's wrong they have NO IDEA
how to trouble shoot. No grey matter between the ears if you know what I mean!
Now it could be a lot of other things, but start with the easiest and least costly first.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 8
From:
RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
ORIGINAL: choochoo
Well like some above said WHAT YEAR AND MODEL??
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
Well like some above said WHAT YEAR AND MODEL??
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
I don't remember which was which, but I think it was my 01 police road king, they went to a lower amp circuit breaker. doesn't make sense to me.
went from a 50 back to a 40
ORIGINAL: glide
If memory serves me correctly , the replacement was upped in amps to a larger than stock size because of problems with the draw on the stock breaker. Did they up yours or replace it with the same stock size?
ORIGINAL: choochoo
Well like some above said WHAT YEAR AND MODEL??
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
Well like some above said WHAT YEAR AND MODEL??
Some 98-2001 had a recall on the main circuit breaker.
Is the bike completely stock or do you have a pciii etc.?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
Have you done any bling on the handlebars...i.e. chrome master cylinder and hand brake kit(s) or changed grips? If so, very good chance a wire got pinched (it really could be that simple)...or if you lubed your cables recently, you could have pinched a wire puttn' everything back together...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: Electrical Problem on my UltraClassic
I had the same problem on my 01 Ultra. It ended up being a break in some wires in the harness, as Shovelhaed Bob suggested. When the bike is idling just squeeze the harness as it follows the frame under the tank. If the bike dies, then you've found the problem. I had my bike in 3 shops before the wrench did this quick test and solved the mistery.
Joe
The original thread where I had this problem. https://www.hdforums.com/m_106079/tm.htm
Joe
The original thread where I had this problem. https://www.hdforums.com/m_106079/tm.htm
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