Heated Grips
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 760
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From: South Carolina
Heated Grips
I put a set of HD heated grips on my wife's Softail Deluxe a few years ago and she LOVED them. She just moved to an '09 FLHX and this was one of the very first accessories she wanted me to install. So I pick up a set at the dealer and installed them last night. I started the bike up, and tried to test them. NO HEAT! The 2amp fuse in the fuse block fried, but the inline 4amp fuse in the power supply to grips was fine. Even when I put a 15amp fuse in the fuse block (because I had no more 2amp fuses), it fried and left the 4amp fuse intact. I checked things with a meter and it seems that I've got a short in "positive to accessory power" wire (ignition-switched orange wire from fuse block) that activates the grips. Can't imagine how this wire could have a short, as it comes from the left grip and is routed on the OUTSIDE of the bars, thru the faring, and down to the fuse block...nothing is pinched or compromised. I don't get it. I don't want to start slicing things open to investigate, as then returning them won't be possible. The set on the Deluxe was SO EASY, but this has become a pain in the ***.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 86
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I have just order Heat Demons, according to everyone on this site they seem to like them. You can use any grip you like because, it has a tube which fits in your bars and heats up. The on off switch has four settings and looks factory. Cant wait to get them on the bike 
John
John
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,134
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From: Gonzales, Texas
I put a set of HD heated grips on my wife's Softail Deluxe a few years ago and she LOVED them. She just moved to an '09 FLHX and this was one of the very first accessories she wanted me to install. So I pick up a set at the dealer and installed them last night. I started the bike up, and tried to test them. NO HEAT! The 2amp fuse in the fuse block fried, but the inline 4amp fuse in the power supply to grips was fine. Even when I put a 15amp fuse in the fuse block (because I had no more 2amp fuses), it fried and left the 4amp fuse intact. I checked things with a meter and it seems that I've got a short in "positive to accessory power" wire (ignition-switched orange wire from fuse block) that activates the grips. Can't imagine how this wire could have a short, as it comes from the left grip and is routed on the OUTSIDE of the bars, thru the faring, and down to the fuse block...nothing is pinched or compromised. I don't get it. I don't want to start slicing things open to investigate, as then returning them won't be possible. The set on the Deluxe was SO EASY, but this has become a pain in the ***.
I do not have any heated accessories, but looking at this strictly from an electrical standpoint...... with the battery disconnected....how many ohms of resistance do you read on the meter, measuring through the entire circuit? Can you measure the resistance on each grip individually? I will be more than willing to help you through the troubleshooting. I normally troubleshoot industrial controls circuits, but I think we can figure it out. I am suspecting a wire being crossed in the factory harness? I will search the HD website and see if I can find a wiring diagram. If not, I assume there is some kind of diagram in the box? Could you scan it and attach it, or send it to me?
EDIT: found instructions and diagam online. There is a warning about routing the main harness through the left switch housing....if the wires are pinched, it will cause a short circuit. but you description sounds like the hot lead from the fuse box is tied straight to the ground lead...
Last edited by Harpoonman; Oct 8, 2009 at 08:12 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast Wisconsin
Not to be a kill joy, but I've heard and read nothing but bad about Harley heated grips. They just don't seem to last very long. Other brands seem to do very well though.
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: South Carolina
Here is the wiring diagram (attached). I've done a bit more troubleshooting. I'm finding continuity between the orange wire (at fuse block) and the frame. This indicates a short in the grips harness. The fuse in the block (between the orange lead & the ignition-switched 12V power source) blows immediately once the ignition is switched on - regardless of whether the grips are turned on or off. Since the orange lead is drives a relay which enables the grips to be powered-up and the rotary adjustment/on-off switch is off, it suggests that the short is somewhere either in the orange wire or the relay itself. Sound right?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
I have the aileron heated grips. They have been normal grips for about 3 months now. They are rubbish and no matter what I try I cant keep them working.
They took 9 hours to install too.
Seriously, go after market on these....
They took 9 hours to install too.
Seriously, go after market on these....