Ignition switch problems?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Crystal River, Fl
Ignition switch problems?
2010 Utlta Classic with about 7500 miles. Stopped to get gas today (drove about 7 miles to get to station) and when I turned the bike back on - Nothing. Waiting a minute or so, cycled the switch through the range a couple of times and tried again. This time I had power and started the bike.
I have been having some weird electrical issues and I'm starting to think I either have a dying battery or an ignition switch problem. There are times I turn on the bike and the radio comes on even if it wasn't on when I last shutdown the bike. The battery was run all the way down about 6 weeks ago when someone turned the switch to on in the garage. I charged it back up and it just hasn't seemed right since.
I took the front part of the fairing off, checked for any loose wires etc. Could not find anything obvious so I put it all back together and started the bike. I just don't trust it. I'm planning on a run in a couple of weeks and looking for suggestions. Sorry this is such a long story but figured too much info was better than not enough. Thanks Jack
I have been having some weird electrical issues and I'm starting to think I either have a dying battery or an ignition switch problem. There are times I turn on the bike and the radio comes on even if it wasn't on when I last shutdown the bike. The battery was run all the way down about 6 weeks ago when someone turned the switch to on in the garage. I charged it back up and it just hasn't seemed right since.
I took the front part of the fairing off, checked for any loose wires etc. Could not find anything obvious so I put it all back together and started the bike. I just don't trust it. I'm planning on a run in a couple of weeks and looking for suggestions. Sorry this is such a long story but figured too much info was better than not enough. Thanks Jack
I had a similar problem. When I put my key in and tried to lock it it was kinda tight feeling,then one night we were out went to start bike nothing,no lights,no radio nothing. What I did was pulled the switch out sprayed some lubricant in it while I worked the key back and forth,now it locks real easy and I haven't had any more problems. Make sure battery connections are tight and if they are then it's in your switch. Also if you do take the switch out make sure to leave the front wheel turned all the way to the left if you move it while the switch is out your tumblers will get out of line.
Novice
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: CA
I've been having a problem with my 2002 Harley Sportster 883 where at first it was popping and coughing through the carb then started to back fire then would shut off after. I would wait for a minute or less and all power would come back on. So i bought a new battery for it also ended up buying circuit breaker as well and a new ign. Module and cleaned out my carb. I turned it on ran it for about 30 mins it ran great no more back fire coughing or anything. Then I turned it off let it cool down for about 20 mins and drove it again. This time as I was driving on the freeway it stalled again. But no backfire or cough or anything. Any idea what it could be ?I'm waiting for my new ignition coil but at this point I'm pulling my hair!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
Perform a charging system test.
When installing the battery, did you follow the process called out in the factory service manual?
Stop buying parts, that is not the way to troubleshoot.
When installing the battery, did you follow the process called out in the factory service manual?
Stop buying parts, that is not the way to troubleshoot.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Dec 1, 2022 at 10:32 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 158
From: Alberta
I've been having a problem with my 2002 Harley Sportster 883 where at first it was popping and coughing through the carb then started to back fire then would shut off after. I would wait for a minute or less and all power would come back on. So i bought a new battery for it also ended up buying circuit breaker as well and a new ign. Module and cleaned out my carb. I turned it on ran it for about 30 mins it ran great no more back fire coughing or anything. Then I turned it off let it cool down for about 20 mins and drove it again. This time as I was driving on the freeway it stalled again. But no backfire or cough or anything. Any idea what it could be ?I'm waiting for my new ignition coil but at this point I'm pulling my hair!
Novice
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: CA
A bad coil will act up as everything gets hot, then often it will work again when it has a chance to cool down. Often there will be a crack somewhere on the case. This becomes a rinse and repeat type of cycle. From your comments I actually don't think that is your issue as it won't cause the electrical power to cut off completely, just that the bike won't want to run. It could be carb related but seeing as it did it before and after you had the carb apart, and if the symptoms haven't changed, then I would suspect something in the ignition switch acting up. To cause a total loss of power it pretty well has to be something to do with the switch cutting out. Maybe a loose connection or something like that. Some HD models over the years have had ignition switch issues, so worth a try. Fixing electrical gremlins is always a step by step process. Make sure you check out your battery, do a load test. A bad cell in the battery can cause weird stuff to happen.
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