Starting problems and stalling problems while driving...2004 Mastiff

[nxtlevl007]

:angry: :bang:

just got rid of my 2004 Pitbull (which had stalling problems...so took back to dealer for buyback) for a 2004 Mastiff that I picked up today from a private seller. solid black, only 1050 miles....great looking bike.

test drove the bike 2x, and on two different occassions before i bought it, with zero problems.

7 miles after I leave my bank picking it up today, it stalls on me at an intersection 3 miles from home. I try to start and just a single click noise (not multiple like battery...click click click...just a single click and nothing) and nothing. pushed it down to local pharmacy...and wont't start.

10 minutes later it starts up fine after a few tries? odd????

drove it around a bit tonight and on my way home bike starts sputtering (yes there is gas in it) and cutting out and on while keeping my hand rolled on the throttle about a mile from my house.

was thinking maybe the EHC unit bad (god i hope not...have already started pursuing getting a free one from big dog due to issues with ZERO luck from big dog), starter (but then why would it sputter after running)...possible battery (but then why kinda stall out while driving)....any ideas?

i'm in dallas, TX area if you know of any good shops.....i've owned 2 harley's with ZERO problems and am on my 2nd big dog...both having problems within 2 days of having them ..........::bang: ideas???

 

[dogvet]

Check the slide lock mounting screws on the bottom of the EHC connector.
Sometimes these screws come loose and then you get a loose connection at the EHC. Tighten the two screws up sothe slide still moves but the EHC connector latches and doesn't move. I'd recommend even wrapping a wire tie around the connector behind the slide to kee it from loosening.

 

[Gas Man]

What's the battery voltage? Always keep these bikes on battery tenders.

Check the solenoid.
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/2901-starter-click-click-click.html

Could it be vapor lock from the gas cap?

 

[nxtlevl007]

i will try the slide lock screws.....

yeah, bike does a single click....i'm thinking it has be electrical, what else would cause it to die out while idling at a light or during driving?

 

[nxtlevl007]

looks like the ecu is moutned in there good..no slide....

 

[awags]

Batteries can act funny, mine would stall when riding, then all of a sudden nothing, headlights come on, turn signals, but no crank. load tested bad. Replaced battery been good ever sense.

I only put on a tender if I go more than a week w/out riding.Never a problem yet, I just make sure voltage is always over the 12.7-12.8.

 

[reloaderbmg]

i seen two masiffs sofar with loose battery conections [because of soft lead battery posts] both did the same thing as yours!!!

 

[nxtlevl007]

i seen two masiffs sofar with loose battery conections [because of soft lead battery posts] both did the same thing as yours!!!

battery connections are good. i unhooked the battery and hooked it back up again. still not starting.

my problem sounds similar to agentbman's problem where single click and light dims.....

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/2901-starter-click-click-click-2.html

so i'm guessing at this point maybe the starter? will try to clean the contacts first i suppose....but can somebody plese tell me where the starter is located to remove it? i'm new to working on bikes!...and after just picking this bike up i have no spare cash to take it into the shop already

thanks.

 

[Gas Man]

You don't need to remove the starter to clean the solenoid contact... just pull the 3 bolts from the end of the cover.

here are some pics for reference...

 

[nxtlevl007]

removed the starter cover...solenoid contacts super clean....didn't even really look a hint of dirty...(bike only has 1050 miles)....so put that back on...wiggled battery cables again, checked for loose connections....still a single click and not starting

 

[SDDOGGER]

Check the gas cap, and circuit breaker (if the 04s have one, not sure) and get a new battery!

 

[CCRainman]

I can probably bet that it's a battery issue. He probably has the stock battery and is due for a new one.

 

[1mndg]

I had a similar problem...New Battery. OK now.

 

[nxtlevl007]

bike sat on battery tender all night to charge....started up this morning on first try......so feeling good, I turned it off and wouldn't start up again...then 3 minutes later would start up fine. it's either a single click and nothing, or it starts right up.

I removed the battery this morning...looks like a nice Drag Specialties 310CCA dated 11/2006...so not even 2 years old. the previous owner didn't drive the bike much (they only put 500 miles on it last year..1050 miles on bike total)....

can a battery not being used much cause a "dead cell"? or reduce cranking power?

only thing that makes me think it's not battery, is bike stalled while driving...like powered off...then was sputtering on and off on way home last night....

these big dog's do have an alternator right? if not, then i can see why maybe battery if it's currently getting used up and not being charged while driving.

gonna take the battery to local harley dealer today to see if they can test it. ........sigh........

 

[WB Cycles]

bike sat on battery tender all night to charge....started up this morning on first try......so feeling good, I turned it off and wouldn't start up again...then 3 minutes later would start up fine. it's either a single click and nothing, or it starts right up.

You are describing what I had on the Chopper for the last week. Went through a new Thunderheart and ignition sensor, voltage regulator, battery and coil. End of the day ... it was my EHC :down:

 

[nxtlevl007]

You are describing what I had on the Chopper for the last week. Went through a new Thunderheart and ignition sensor, voltage regulator, battery and coil. End of the day ... it was my EHC :down:

Nelson, did big dog replace your EHC for you? I'm trying to get mine replaced now...but customer support is trying to say i have to buy it on my own...which i don't think is right....

still not 100% sure that's my problem.

how did you figure out it was your EHC after all your trial and error?

 

[baddog]

Sounds like the starter relay energizes but sometimes the current can't flow to the solenoid.
Check where the battery ground attaches to the tranny and see if it is loose.

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

Sul will be along shortly to post a really good starter 101 link.

 

[Agentbman]

It sounds like the similar problem I had...Check and see if you can use a single wire from the hot post of the battery to the relay on the top of the starter with the switch on and after hitting run. If it starts it isnt the battery or the starter itself. If not the problem I had was the little wire inside the solenoid cover had broken but was almost impossible to tell without a good flashlight and standing on my head (joking!).

Also, just a thought the run/off switch may have some moisture in there screwing with the works. When you have your seat off and look on the top of the EHC. When hitting the start button a yellow light should come on. Even when the wire was broken I still got a single click.

I have had a problem with EHC before....common problem with the 04 Mastiff. Mine went completely dead all at once though. If its not the starter...I hate to say its a good chance its the EHC. Mine was around $240 for same one and $400 for the "New" upgraded one (which is 05 and up model with adapter)

Sorry I cant give you anymore help. Stick with these guys on here...they are a great help!

:up: :flag:

 

[nxtlevl007]

It sounds like the similar problem I had...Check and see if you can use a single wire from the hot post of the battery to the relay on the top of the starter with the switch on and after hitting run. If it starts it isnt the battery or the starter itself. If not the problem I had was the little wire inside the solenoid cover had broken but was almost impossible to tell without a good flashlight and standing on my head (joking!).

Also, just a thought the run/off switch may have some moisture in there screwing with the works. When you have your seat off and look on the top of the EHC. When hitting the start button a yellow light should come on. Even when the wire was broken I still got a single click.

I have had a problem with EHC before....common problem with the 04 Mastiff. Mine went completely dead all at once though. If its not the starter...I hate to say its a good chance its the EHC. Mine was around $240 for same one and $400 for the "New" upgraded one (which is 05 and up model with adapter)

Sorry I cant give you anymore help. Stick with these guys on here...they are a great help!

:up: :flag:

can you explain more on "Check and see if you can use a single wire from the hot post of the battery to the relay on the top of the starter with the switch on and after hitting run. If it starts it isnt the battery or the starter itself."

where do I use that wire?

when i hit the run button i get a "red" light that lights up on the EHC, then when i hit "start" i don't see any light whether the bike starts up or doesn't...hmmm...