bike died on the interstate
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: SE WI
bike died on the interstate
This morning was the second time my 07 electra glide died just after I got onto the freeway on my way to work. The first time was with the stock ecu, about a month ago. Today's second time was with the new thundermax I put in. So I know it is not the ecu's. But like I said, it just died. Lights, motor, everything. I pulled over shut it off, cycled the kill switch and boom, it fired right up and I made my way to work. The interstate I take to work is so bumpy that if the bike was running bad before it died I would never be able to tell. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My guess is that I have a bad ground somewhere, but I don't know where to look.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
Start at the battery.....check the condition of both leads coming off the battery. Make sure the terminals on both ends of each lead are still crimped/soldered tight, and make sure that the connection points (both on the frame/ground block & battery) of each are both clean and tight. You must start all diagnosis of electrical issues by making certain that the battery and all its connections are in good shape.
After that I would start with the troubleshooting section of your year/make/model factory service manual. It sounds almost like a circuit breaker tripping off. I am not all that up on late model HD electrical systems, but I guess you could start by looking for such a CB, and see what they power.....could be the fuel pump???
Please continue to post your symptoms and your testing procedures until the problem is resolved. This way if any other forum members have the same type of issue they would have a potential starting point of where to look.
After that I would start with the troubleshooting section of your year/make/model factory service manual. It sounds almost like a circuit breaker tripping off. I am not all that up on late model HD electrical systems, but I guess you could start by looking for such a CB, and see what they power.....could be the fuel pump???
Please continue to post your symptoms and your testing procedures until the problem is resolved. This way if any other forum members have the same type of issue they would have a potential starting point of where to look.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From:
This happened to me many times on my 07. Had it in the shop 3 or 4 times with them checking grounds, wires etc. and could find nothing. The bike would die on me but always fire right back up after doing what you are doing.
Finally, HD put a new ECM in and it was all good for about 300 miles and then it did it again! I was so pissed off I removed my seat and side covers and went through all my wires and connections myself! Removed them, cleaned things up, wiped them off and put them back on. Make sure NO wires are being pinched ANYWHERE on your bike. Since I have gone through my bike, on my own and NOT finding anything that I thougt would effect it...........It has not happened since I did it and it's been 1,400 miles.
I would suggest going through this same thing, on your own. I have had the same thing happen on a car. Found a small wire that was pinched on the rear of the valve cover, grounding out the ignition.......Couldn't see the wire until I REMOVED the valve cover since it was up agains the firewall. There it was.....a pinched wire! Sometimes it's a wire that is pinched and may not even look bad....
Finally, HD put a new ECM in and it was all good for about 300 miles and then it did it again! I was so pissed off I removed my seat and side covers and went through all my wires and connections myself! Removed them, cleaned things up, wiped them off and put them back on. Make sure NO wires are being pinched ANYWHERE on your bike. Since I have gone through my bike, on my own and NOT finding anything that I thougt would effect it...........It has not happened since I did it and it's been 1,400 miles.
I would suggest going through this same thing, on your own. I have had the same thing happen on a car. Found a small wire that was pinched on the rear of the valve cover, grounding out the ignition.......Couldn't see the wire until I REMOVED the valve cover since it was up agains the firewall. There it was.....a pinched wire! Sometimes it's a wire that is pinched and may not even look bad....
Last edited by bucs012; Aug 25, 2008 at 11:13 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
Sounds like a ground. Check your allen bolts that hold your starter on. Also check your efi system relay is clean of corrsion. If it were a pinched wire I think you would blow a fuse. I had the ignition fuse blow intermitantly and finnaly found that my handle bar grips had slipped back and pinched the wire on right side.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
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From: Nevada
I was thing a ground, too. If you installed any accessories, check the wiring in the area of the part for shorts, grounds, etc.
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19
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The same thing happened on my '00 Fatboy. The positive battery cable was loose. Cleaned, lubed, tightned and the problem never returned. If everything goes dead (lights, etc.) think big and common to everthing that goes dead, not the accessory circuit. Good Luck
