Alright kids, need some help. My 2 week old 2007 FLHTC with 400 miles on it broke down this morning---was on my way to the Dealer to have the recall done---was outside a little town here in East Texas when the radio started cutting out---pulled off the road and the bike quit on me---checked the fuses---tried to by pass the alarm system--nothing--no start (BUT I did have lights) ---closest town was 7 miles away--locked the Scoot up and started walking---Thank God that after bout a mile a truck driver picked me up----called the dealer and explained what had happened and asked if they had a truck and trailer. The service manager said that yes they had a truck and trailer BUT I was too far out for them to come and pick me up. I was 90 miles away. I had to call my wife who left her job and drove 60 miles to pick me up. THANK GOODNESS a young man stopped and helped us push it into the back of the truck. When we got to the dealer there was no "sorry it happened" or any customer appreciation for what I had just been through -- NONE. Come to find out that dealership was bought 6 months ago by a man who had previously owned a car dealership. The service manager had been an automotive service writer. I don't think they quite understand bikes. When we got home the service manager had called and left a message saying that it was just the ignition switch and that it would be ready that afternoon. Okay. WE DROVE OVER 150 MILES ROUND TRIP FOR THE RECALL & THE SERVICE -- WE HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME!!! -- and the dealer was already closed by then. (AS if we had not already explained to the man that we had driven quite a way for this problem and the recall) Okay, instead of possibly taking a look at it while we were there and trying to determine if it would be a quick fix or take a little longer -- we got NO explanation except "Leave it here." AND it did not appear that they were overbooked or overcrowded. Tomorrow when I call the service manager I want to know why the radio cut out and the bike lost power. Any of you guys have an idea? I would like some ammunition -- I mean information -- so that I can be ready to fire back at his lame excuses. AND do you think that the alarm system might be at fault? AND do you know if there is a way to totally remove that blasted alarm system?

Thanks

 

I don't think that alarm is the issue, but it could be. And as for removing it. You can take off the noise maker but the actual alarm, if its like the '06s which I believe to be the case, it is part of the TSSM and when installed its matted to the ECM unit and if you replace one the other has to be changed. So in other words you buy a new ECM and don't install the alarm.

Sorry to hear of your problem. This has to be some of the fun with anything new. It will all work out. Hang in their.

 

Ron , sorry to hear about this problem , hope this might help you a little bit.
I have been in auto repair for 30+ years and own my shop,I have 3rd generation customers , and don't advertise.
This may help.
When describing a problem to any repair person , try to give them a feel for the exact sequence of events leading up to the failure.
When a customer comes to me with a problem , I ask a ton of questions if they give me a vague description of what happened.
Some times even the fact that it was raining the day it happened makes a difference to my diagnostic plan of repair for the car.
This may sound funny , but write down exactly what happened , what speed , if it popped or just died (like ran out of fuel feeling).
Did the lights dim while it cranked? Did it crank the usual speed (slowly or normal)
After it died , would it crank (turn over) did you hear the fuel pump?
The service writer may be a bone-head , but the mechanic (if he's worth a crap) wants to know these things.
Look the service writer right in the eyes and don't let him look away while you speak to him.
He needs to listen to what you tell him and understand what you said.
If the service writer won't look you in the eye when he explains something , he's probably making stuff up as he goes (lying), mine tried that just once.
Tell him what you expect from the repair.
Be patient and don't get pissed off , even if he's a jerk.
There are no bad dealers , just bad employees that work there.
I have a great relationship with my Harley dealer because we understand each other , and they don't mess with me.
Hope this helps and you get the problem resolved quickly (and free).
Mick

 

If at all possible, talk directly to the mechanic and tell him all the symptoms. I've found that a lot of times the service manager/writer is pretty incompetent when it comes to relaying info to the mechanic. I took my wife's van to the dealership 3 times for the same problem, and when I went to pick it up the third time the service writer told me they couldn't find a problem. I blew up and told him I'd take him for a ride and show him the problem! The mechanic heard me out in the shop and came in to the service desk. I told him what the symptoms were and he said "Okay, I wasn't told that!" I looked at the service writer, and the guy wouldn't even look at me. The mechanic went back out and did a couple of checks and came back 10 minutes later and said he had found the problem, and would have the part to fix it the next day. I honestly wonder sometimes how some people manage to get the job they have and keep it when they're so incompetent!

 

Competent employee's cost money to keep.Same as good tech's

 

Since they already have diagnosed the problem and found a faulty IGNITION SWITCH, that would possibly be the problem.

Loss of power
Radio cut out
Lights still on

Yup Ignition switch, the alarm system DOES NOT kill the Ignition after it is turned on(one of those saftey thingys), but the ignition swicth will kill the engine and the radio.

"But I still had lights!!"
Yup that contact didn't go yet.

 

Sorry you had to go through that headache. Nothing worse than having something new ... come up with issues.

Thanks for sharing the issue though.

 

Just got off the phone with my local dealerships service department, and while I was picking his brain about another thing I got going, I asked about taking off the 07 alarm.

He said all that needs done is to remove the TSSM(Turn signal module) and replace it with a non allarm TSSM. The ECM does not need replaced. They are mated, but the can be unmated. Does need to be done by a service department.

I think you are confusing a SERT with the TSSM.

 

Your ignition switch could very well cause what you had.Did it code?Mine has quit twice for no known reason,no code and maybe 600 mles apart.Had to shut ignition switch off,turn back on and bike would start each time.The one time it died at hwy speeds.