I need some help troubleshooting an intermittent electrical issue on a 2003 Ultra. After the engine gets warm while riding the speedo drops to zero and the volume of the stereo goes down. All of the lights seem to remain normal. It does it more when I lean to the left in a turn and never when I lean right. As soon as I straighten up it returns to normal. Also the engine while at idle sounds like it is only running on one jug, this is very intermittent, when power is applied it returns to normal. I cannot recreate the issue of the engine running rough while in neutral on a stand.
I have gone through and checked all of the grounds and the negative terminal of the battery. It is not throwing any codes. I will be tearing it down in the AM tomorrow trying to find a loose or frayed wire. Is there anything internal to the engine that could cause these symptoms? I thought maybe the lean angle sensor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I really need to buy the manuals as soon as I can get the extra money. Uncle Sam sucked me dry this year.

 

what year and model is this bike????

 

So wrapped up in the problem, it is a 2003 Ultra.

 

Does sound like a wire touching somewhere. I bet there is a wire under the fairing that has worn throught he jacket and is grounding out.

 

I think The Shrink nailed it on the head here!
Look at the wiring harnesses that make contact with frame, bracket or any metal that are located to the right and within proximity of any of the above mentioned. Look for wear or abrasion marks.
Keep us posted

 

I took it down to parade rest. Touched every wire in the fairing and the chasis back to the battery, fuses, and modules under the seat. I found a couple of suspect areas. Used heat shrink and tie wraps to tighen up all of the cable ways and tied things back where the wrenches over the years got lazy. Unfortunately, I was called back to the office and will have to test it in the AM. I really need to real manual for the bike. I have the Klymer manual but it is not very detailed or informative for issues. Thanks

 

try resetting your TSSM. it can be a real source of electrical gremlins when you have been changing anything lighting/security related.

step # 1. move handle bar kill switch to off position

step # 2. turn your ignition key: on-off, on-off then on

step # 3. hit the left turn signal twice.
your turn signals and indicator light will flash 1 - 3 flashes

step # 4. hit the right turn signal once.
turn signals and indicator light will flash once.

step # 5. hit the right turn signal once.
turn and indicator signals will flash twice.

step # 6. hit right turn signal once.
turn and indicator signals will flash three times.

step # 7. hit left turn signal once.
turn and indicator signals flash to indicate error code
(see error code thread)

step # 8. to now clear codes, hit left turn signal and hold down for 6 seconds until confirmation.
turn and indicator signals flash twice.

step # 9. turn the ign switch to off


Thats it, TSSM is now reset and ready to roll

 

I actually found a broken wire in the bundle from under the tank that goes up into the fairing. I fixed that then while on the test ride the speedo went out again and the check engine light came on. I am going to reset the module as sugestted below. I am making progress but so far I am really frustrated but thankful that I am not paying the dealer to troubleshoot this $$$$$.