Moespeeds
Well-Known Member
I see alot of posts from guys having electrical breakdowns. I figured I'd post a troubleshooting tree for this type of problem, maybe we could sticky it? Feel free to add or correct:
Symptom: Bike randomly quits or will not start
First thing to do is verify that fuel is getting into the carb. Once this is verified, chances are it's electrical.
If the engine is not cranking:
Check your battery voltage (12.8)
Check for an indicator light on your EHC when the RUN button is pressed
Check your key switch
Check for 12v going to the small starter wire plugged into the starter solenoid (usually GREEN)
If you have 12v going to the starter when START is pressed, then you probably have a bad starter or battery.
To test the starter:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/11356-how-check-your-starter-solenoid.html
Open the starter, clean the contacts, and try again.
If the bike cranks, but won't fire:
Check for spark. Pull both plugs or use a spare plug. Pull both plug wires, plug one spark plug in, and crank the motor while grounding the threads of the plug on the bike. You should see spark. See the drawing below:
If you have spark, it is most likely a fuel problem.
If you don't have spark:
Make sure you have 12v to the coil. The coil should get 12v when you press the RUN button.
If you have power to the coil, but no spark, check your plugs and plug wires. You may also have a bad coil.
If you have no power to the coil:
Check for 12v down at the timing pickup when RUN is pressed. (2005 and up have no timing pickup down there, skip this step)
If you have power to the timing pickup, but no power at the coil, most likely the pickup is bad. Double check to make sure you have no power to the pickup, and no power at the coil. When you press RUN, the pickup sends 12v to your coil. This is a $30 part at any Harley dealership, but will need to be cut from the harness and soldered back in. If the bike randomly dies, then starts again after cooling down, this usually means a bad pickup. Remove the timing cover, start the bike, and run a hairdryer on the pickup. If the bike dies when it heats up, it's bad.
If you have no power to the timing pickup, check for a light on the ignition when RUN is pressed, and check to see if the ignition is sending 12v down to the pickup. Also check your EHC. One or the other is likely to be the problem at this point.
Here is a thread on how to use a multimeter:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/11341-night-trains-tip-week-2-a.html
Symptom: Bike randomly quits or will not start
First thing to do is verify that fuel is getting into the carb. Once this is verified, chances are it's electrical.
If the engine is not cranking:
Check your battery voltage (12.8)
Check for an indicator light on your EHC when the RUN button is pressed
Check your key switch
Check for 12v going to the small starter wire plugged into the starter solenoid (usually GREEN)
If you have 12v going to the starter when START is pressed, then you probably have a bad starter or battery.
To test the starter:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/11356-how-check-your-starter-solenoid.html
Open the starter, clean the contacts, and try again.
If the bike cranks, but won't fire:
Check for spark. Pull both plugs or use a spare plug. Pull both plug wires, plug one spark plug in, and crank the motor while grounding the threads of the plug on the bike. You should see spark. See the drawing below:
If you have spark, it is most likely a fuel problem.
If you don't have spark:
Make sure you have 12v to the coil. The coil should get 12v when you press the RUN button.
If you have power to the coil, but no spark, check your plugs and plug wires. You may also have a bad coil.
If you have no power to the coil:
Check for 12v down at the timing pickup when RUN is pressed. (2005 and up have no timing pickup down there, skip this step)
If you have power to the timing pickup, but no power at the coil, most likely the pickup is bad. Double check to make sure you have no power to the pickup, and no power at the coil. When you press RUN, the pickup sends 12v to your coil. This is a $30 part at any Harley dealership, but will need to be cut from the harness and soldered back in. If the bike randomly dies, then starts again after cooling down, this usually means a bad pickup. Remove the timing cover, start the bike, and run a hairdryer on the pickup. If the bike dies when it heats up, it's bad.
If you have no power to the timing pickup, check for a light on the ignition when RUN is pressed, and check to see if the ignition is sending 12v down to the pickup. Also check your EHC. One or the other is likely to be the problem at this point.
Here is a thread on how to use a multimeter:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/11341-night-trains-tip-week-2-a.html
Watching someone else. like peeing on electric fence!! Talk a friend on mine into doing that ,,
