Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
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Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
While riding home over the weekend, I noticed my headlight cycling dim and then bright.When the headlight dimmedit seemdtheengine was missing. The battery is old (at least two years), so I'm going to start with the simplest thing and change that out and then work my way to the more intrusive stuff. My initial thought is a Coil going bad, but at this point it's only a guess. I know this isn't very much information to go on, but it's all I have at the moment.
I sure would like any thoughts from the "technically savy" memebers of the HDForum.
Thanks in advance.
I sure would like any thoughts from the "technically savy" memebers of the HDForum.
Thanks in advance.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
Unless it's shortly (badly) internally, a coil won't create the symptoms yer describin'. Sounds more to me like either a short, a battery goin' bad, or a problem with the chargin' system, such as a regulator stickin', causin' the system ta run off the battery fer a bit.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 634
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From: Plum & Nearly
RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
2 simple things first...
make sure the ground cable from the battery is tight at the starter...it uses one of the starter mounting bolts...this is a common problem.
next...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission. if this one is loose it will not allow the charging of the battery.
Either of these will prevent the charging system from putting power back into the battery.
your symptom is classical for the motor running off of the battery only...Once the battery starts draining from no charging or can not hold a charge...your motor will act as described. Low electrical power to the injectors causes the hit and miss....they will not spray correctly.
You can put a volt meter on the battery with the engine running....at about 2-2500 rpm you should see in excess of 14VDC......If you get those numbers I would then think it was the battery......not accepting the charge or intermittent charging. The service manual outlines several procedures for testing the stator and then the regulator.
make sure the ground cable from the battery is tight at the starter...it uses one of the starter mounting bolts...this is a common problem.
next...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission. if this one is loose it will not allow the charging of the battery.
Either of these will prevent the charging system from putting power back into the battery.
your symptom is classical for the motor running off of the battery only...Once the battery starts draining from no charging or can not hold a charge...your motor will act as described. Low electrical power to the injectors causes the hit and miss....they will not spray correctly.
You can put a volt meter on the battery with the engine running....at about 2-2500 rpm you should see in excess of 14VDC......If you get those numbers I would then think it was the battery......not accepting the charge or intermittent charging. The service manual outlines several procedures for testing the stator and then the regulator.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
I agree with Red. Coils don't give trouble often. When they do your bike will just quite running, may start after cools down, backfire, engine miss or all of the above. It sounds like you may have a loose ground or bad battery connection. When the connection is not made the chargeing system has to pull the lights plus the engine, I.E. engine runs ruff and lights dim. Let us know what you find. Luck to you.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
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From: London, Canada
RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
ORIGINAL: twincam47
2 simple things first...
make sure the ground cable from the battery is tight at the starter...it uses one of the starter mounting bolts...this is a common problem.
next...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission. if this one is loose it will not allow the charging of the battery.
Either of these will prevent the charging system from putting power back into the battery.
your symptom is classical for the motor running off of the battery only...Once the battery starts draining from no charging or can not hold a charge...your motor will act as described. Low electrical power to the injectors causes the hit and miss....they will not spray correctly.
You can put a volt meter on the battery with the engine running....at about 2-2500 rpm you should see in excess of 14VDC......If you get those numbers I would then think it was the battery......not accepting the charge or intermittent charging. The service manual outlines several procedures for testing the stator and then the regulator.
2 simple things first...
make sure the ground cable from the battery is tight at the starter...it uses one of the starter mounting bolts...this is a common problem.
next...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission. if this one is loose it will not allow the charging of the battery.
Either of these will prevent the charging system from putting power back into the battery.
your symptom is classical for the motor running off of the battery only...Once the battery starts draining from no charging or can not hold a charge...your motor will act as described. Low electrical power to the injectors causes the hit and miss....they will not spray correctly.
You can put a volt meter on the battery with the engine running....at about 2-2500 rpm you should see in excess of 14VDC......If you get those numbers I would then think it was the battery......not accepting the charge or intermittent charging. The service manual outlines several procedures for testing the stator and then the regulator.
Also a two year old battery is not old, I replaced my first on at six and it was still working.
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Cruiser
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RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission.
I plan on performing all the suggested checks including the battery load test as outlined in the manual. The statement above is interesting. When I installed my mounting bracket for the 2 into 1 pipes I installed I remember the ground wire eyelet was too small for the bracket mounting bolt and I know I just forced it. So, I may have induced my own problem.
Thanks to all for the trouble shooting tips. HDForum is a great resource!
I plan on performing all the suggested checks including the battery load test as outlined in the manual. The statement above is interesting. When I installed my mounting bracket for the 2 into 1 pipes I installed I remember the ground wire eyelet was too small for the bracket mounting bolt and I know I just forced it. So, I may have induced my own problem.
Thanks to all for the trouble shooting tips. HDForum is a great resource!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: Calling all Wrenches - Electrical Problem
ORIGINAL: ScooterJammer
...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission.
I plan on performing all the suggested checks including the battery load test as outlined in the manual. The statement above is interesting. When I installed my mounting bracket for the 2 into 1 pipes I installed I remember the ground wire eyelet was too small for the bracket mounting bolt and I know I just forced it. So, I may have induced my own problem.
Thanks to all for the trouble shooting tips. HDForum is a great resource!
...check the regulator ground wire....it is located beneath the right transmission side over and has an eyelet end using a bolt in the transmission.
I plan on performing all the suggested checks including the battery load test as outlined in the manual. The statement above is interesting. When I installed my mounting bracket for the 2 into 1 pipes I installed I remember the ground wire eyelet was too small for the bracket mounting bolt and I know I just forced it. So, I may have induced my own problem.
Thanks to all for the trouble shooting tips. HDForum is a great resource!
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