2007 Bulldog Starting Problems

K

kcnjamie

Member
2007 Bulldog No start

Hi all. Well, I've been overseas for over a year. Neal if you are still on here, I got your package you sent me, and thanks alot for the info. I'm sorry I've been away so long.

I've been getting my bike ready. My battery was dead so tonight I put in a new one. It is fully charged and reading 12.9 on a voltmeter.

I turn the key and the speedometer goes to 60 and back to zero, head light comes on, engine light, and oil light. I prime the fuel pump and it sounds normal. When I hit the start button NOTHING happens. No click no nothing. I checked the Lights on the EHC and this is what I see.

Power is lit steady yellow
Controler on flashes green
Air Ride Mode turns on red when I push the start button, and turns off when I push it again.

Of course my warrenty expired in December.

Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks for any help, and I appologize for being gone for so long.

Casey
 
Nomad2day

Nomad2day

Longhair Redneck Geek
I am still here.
I am on my way to work. I will talk to you tonight.
Welcome back Brother.
Neil
:cheers:
 
K

kcnjamie

Member
Hey Neal...good to hear from you.

Does anybody have any ideas with my problem. Do the lights on the EHC tell me anything?
 
N8KAM

N8KAM

Well-Known Member
I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet....
Are you sure it's the air ride light coming on?

I would try to think simple....... double check your connections at the battery..and your ground. make sure the circuit breaker "if equipped" isn't tripped. and sometimes the way you stack the connections at the battery is an issue.. EHC connectors on the battery post then + - cables then accessories.. Keep us informed..
 
K

kcnjamie

Member
Well, I think I may have found something. The large wire coming from the contacts on the starter...the one that bends around, the ruber insulation is pretty well just rotted off. I measured resistence from there to ground with my fluke and it is a complete short to ground. Thoughts?
 
BigDogBro1

BigDogBro1

Made in the USA
kcnjamie,

If it's the fat wire from the solenoid to the starter with the decayed insulation and rubber boot on the starter, then that's the 12v starter feed and should not have any resistance to speak of. If the copper wire or stud connections are corroded then the battery amperage to the starter will be decreased thus reducing it's cranking performance. If water seeped into the starter through the broken insulation then the starter may be compromised.

Either way that fat wire is part of the starter and can't be replaced by purchasing one. You might be able to make one up from a flexible piece of welding cable having the same cross-section copper wire diameter and crimp on the proper end. Not sure how the cable is attached to the starter side.

That bad wire is a warranty issue known at BDM. Contact your local dealer for a possible new starter under warranty even so your's has expired.

Does anyone have a photo of an 07 starter with the end cover pulled off?
 
Last edited:
lee

lee

Well-Known Member
casey that is a very common problem - you need to get in there and either tape it up or put some shrink wrap on it on something - I've put some liquid electrical tape on mine for now (got the idea from Al) but will put some shrink wrap on it when I get around to it. It hasn't caused me any starting issues though. If you pull the rubber boot off I believe the end is held on with a nut.
 
K

kcnjamie

Member
Well, here's what I've found so far. I went out and pulled my solenoid about and cleaned up the contacts. I measured voltage across the contacts and I have 12.5VDC. I taped up the broken insulation and reasembled everything. Turned the key and nothing. It seems that the solenoid isn't even trying to pull in. I pulled the green wire that plugs into the solenoid, this is what I assume tells it to pull in. I measured voltage on it and it read 8.7VDC. It has 8.7VDC on it with the key on or off. It doesn't change when I push the start button, just a constant 8.7VDC. Is this the wire that energizes the solenoid? I traced it back and it appears to go to the inside plug of the EHC. What do you guys think?
 
K

kcnjamie

Member
Well, here's what I've found so far. I went out and pulled my solenoid about and cleaned up the contacts. I measured voltage across the contacts and I have 12.5VDC. I taped up the broken insulation and reasembled everything. Turned the key and nothing. It seems that the solenoid isn't even trying to pull in. I pulled the green wire that plugs into the solenoid, this is what I assume tells it to pull in. I measured voltage on it and it read 8.7VDC. It has 8.7VDC on it with the key on or off. It doesn't change when I push the start button, just a constant 8.7VDC. Is this the wire that energizes the solenoid? I traced it back and it appears to go to the inside plug of the EHC. What do you guys think?
 
K

kcnjamie

Member
Thanks LDO....I've fixed the broken insulation, but my problem still persists. I don't think the solenoid is getting told to turn on. The green wire that plugs into the solenoid has a constant 8.7Volts on it. Is this normal? Does anybody know the circuit for what energizes the solenoid? Thanks guys.
 
N

Night Train

Member
Are your symptoms that the check engine light stays on after pushing the run button, the EHC enters air ride mode when the start button is pushed, and the starter is inoperative.

If this sound familiar it is the .box file in the EFI ECU. Most of the time reloading the box file will fix the problem, I have personally only seen one instance where the box file could not be reloaded and it fix the problem, it ended up that the voltage regulator in the ECU was fried in this case.

Take it to your dealer and he can reload it or I have the software and hardware for that as well. I live in Mulvane, KS. You can send me your module or bring it up attached to the bike. If I can fix it $30 and we will call it even, if the software upgrade does not fix the problem you owe me nothing.

For something like this I bet if you call the factory and tell them you need to have the .box file reloaded they would probably take care of you even though you are out of warranty.
 
Last edited:
K

kcnjamie

Member
Night Train,

You just described my symptoms to a T. I would have NEVER thought that the EFI would cause problems with the starter. I have sent you a PM. Thanks for your help.

Casey
 
jmrussell1

jmrussell1

Member
Similar issue

Hey guys just read over this thread and its exactly what mine is doing. Question did your fuel pump prime. Mine doesn't prime the fuel pump or allow the horn to work. Everything else is working great except those two items and of course starting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top