Red Dummy light flashes while riding

[BadBrad]

Hey guys, I'm trying to solve this before it turns into a "real" problem. On my 2005 pitbull, I noticed that the red dummy would flash every now and then while riding this past weekend. Not experiencing any problems, but wanted to check with the dog pound to see if this is a preliminary problem to something bigger down the road. No other dummy lights are flashing, only the red. Not sure if this is related, but I also noticed black grease on my key when I pull it out of the ignition. That started just a couple of days earlier. On the up side, the key sure is easy to extract!

 

[Raywood]

If you notice the light flickering when you go over bumps, RR tracks and such then you have a ground. Chase the "orange" wire under the tank and see where it's worn down and repair it.

 

[RRRUFF]

Hopefully not the case but could be low oil pressure. But maybe a bad wire or a faulty oil pressure switch or a loose connection at the pressure switch. Also water in the connector at the EHC will short out that pin and cause the light to come on.

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks Ray/Ruff. I think I'll start with the EHC. I just picked up some die electric grease this morning. Been meaning to do that since I first started reading the forum. It's like the "magic cream" fix all. Something else I didn't mention. About a week ago while parked under a carport, the rain came in a little and lightly wet the bike. Later that night, the headlights would flash off/on without the key being turned on. A few more beers and I would have sworn it was possessed. :angry:It's obvious that that needs to be done before chasing any other ghosts. Any ideas on why grease would come out of the key hole? Strange!!!!! Thanks again.

 

[Raywood]

Thanks Ray/Ruff. I think I'll start with the EHC. I just picked up some die electric grease this morning. Been meaning to do that since I first started reading the forum. It's like the "magic cream" fix all. Something else I didn't mention. About a week ago while parked under a carport, the rain came in a little and lightly wet the bike. Later that night, the headlights would flash off/on without the key being turned on. A few more beers and I would have sworn it was possessed. :angry:It's obvious that that needs to be done before chasing any other ghosts. Any ideas on why grease would come out of the key hole? Strange!!!!! Thanks again.

Did you just get the bike? Maybe someone sprayed some lube in it and it got hot and leaked out. Shop may have done it. :2thumbs:

 

[BadBrad]

I got the bike back in February but recently got it out of the shop after the exhaust valve broke off mid stem and rattled around. Definitely could have been the shop. I'll fill the EHC with die electric grease this evening and go from there. Been having several electrical issues. Should have already done this. Tach lights quit working first time the bike got wet. Once dried, all works well. The wife always said being hard headed and having selective hearing would get me in trouble. I didn't tell her, but I never had those before and got in plenty of trouble.

 

[Raywood]

I got the bike back in February but recently got it out of the shop after the exhaust valve broke off mid stem and rattled around. Definitely could have been the shop. I'll fill the EHC with die electric grease this evening and go from there. Been having several electrical issues. Should have already done this. Tach lights quit working first time the bike got wet. Once dried, all works well. The wife always said being hard headed and having selective hearing would get me in trouble. I didn't tell her, but I never had those before and got in plenty of trouble.

There was a SB (Service Bulletin) out in 06 or so that advised all service centers to fill the EHC connections with die-electric grease. Just be careful when you pull the two plugs, the pins are delicate. Don't use too much pressure on the two screws when replacing the harness.

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks Ray. I'll mellow with a couple of beers, then take care of the module. You're welcome to drive on down and do it for me. I'll hand you tools and beer. Wear your rain gear. It's stormin' here this afternoon. We're in that cycle where it rains most every afternoon. The tropics of Lowsyana.

 

[BadBrad]

Hey, The EHC was bone dry. I filled it up and placed the pins back together. I also put the grease in the 40 amp fuse to keep from corroding. I did find one thing that may have caused my red light to come on. My oil tank was almost empty. I had the whole front upper end of one cylinder replaced about 2 weeks ago. I asked the shop to go back with Amsoil sythetic. Either I'm losing a lot of oil or they didn't fill it to the right level. The bike isn't smoking and I don't see any sign of leakage. Would low oil make the light flash? The quote, "why pay someone else to f*@% up your bike" has a whole new meaning. With the help I get from this site and all you experienced Dog owners, I'll never shop my bike again.

 

[danosrs]

Low oil level could for sure cause low pressure, and with a new cylinder you could be using oil until the rings seat. I would have used dino oil to break it in and maybe that is why it has not seated the rings.

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks Dan, now that you mention it, the shop did mention using conventional oil at first, but I think that was just to run the bike for a couple of hours and then drain to make sure all metal was removed after the valve banged around in the head and cylinder. Can you mix synthetic with conventional? Seems like I heard that you can.

 

[RRRUFF]

If the oil pump cavitated from low oil level that would make the oil light come on.

 

[danosrs]

yes, you can mix synthetic and conventional oil. I would think you should see some evidence of the oil on the plug of the redone cylinder. If it was me I would replace the oil and watch the level prior to each ride.

Good luck

 

[RRRUFF]

Also remember the best time to check the oil level is right after you ride. Sometimes when the bike sits for a while the oil will drain out of the tank back down into the engine sump and give you a flase oil level read.