Battery slowly draining.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 125
From: Parris Island
Battery slowly draining.
My '04 FLTRI is slowly losing energy while not in use. Battery new Jan. '10. Charging normally when in use. Park it for several days, go to start it up and it's dead. Anyone have this experience and solution? Search engine not much help. I did have the ignition switch in and out several times for paint. It continued to play the radio even in the off position. Spent $100.00 on a JIMS tool, which was worthless, and is free (minus shipping) to anyone who asks. I did hear the highbeam switch could be the culprit, checked and is ok.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Last edited by e6fmf; Mar 29, 2010 at 04:19 AM. Reason: Additional information
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
Fuse pull
Get your meter, remove one of the battery leads and see what you are dealing with current wise. Then pull one fuse and see if meter goes to zero amps. If it fixes the problem, you know where to begin looking. If it doesn't, put it back in and go to next one until you fine the circuit that causes the drainage. Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Amelia, Virginia
Yep, you've got something drawing power constantly. Your ignition switch is suspect to start with if accessories are staying hot even in the off position. Rather than using a multimeter in series with battery cable, use a test light. Multimeters have a low amp rating and you will blow the fuse in the meter if whatever is causing the drain is over 10 amps. Like was mentioned above, disconnect one battery cable, attach test light in between the cable and battery terminal. If it lights up, you have verified a draw. Begin pulling fuses one at a time until light goes out. If the light goes out when you pull a particular fuse, that is the circuit you need to check out further. Hope this helps.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: Garrison, NY
Maybe pull the battery out and watch it for a few days with a meter disconnected? Or, put it back in the bike after a few days on the bench to see if the new battery is the issue or not. Was the bike exhibiting the same symptoms prior to you geting the new battery in January?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
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From: Pacific Northwest
Did the radio play in any switch position before you did your paint? When in the off position nothing should be working (with the exception of security).
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Amelia, Virginia
Never had a problem with mine holding a good charge. I play the radio while I detail the bike, leave the lights on at night while I'm getting suited up/down, it even sat on its side in the road with lights, ignition, and radio on for about 45 minutes while I was being loaded into ambulance (after hitting deer). Never had a problem with battery not holding much of a charge, and I don't use a battery tender either.