Bike starts and dies, Gauge an headlight flick off and on

[RyanU]

Hey guys im new to the big dog world. I have an 05 pitbull with a 117 I have owned for about a month. It has had a Dakota digital guage added to it and a HID headlight as far as electrical system mods. Typically when I start the bike, the guage will reset like you turn the key off and the headlight will flick off for a split sec then back on. The bike dies instantly during the “flick” it can be a real pain the butt. Sometimes sittin at a stoplight it will kill the bike then it’s a war to get it started and gone. Sometimes ill have to start it as many as 10 times playin with the throttle to get taken off. It normally happens, not every time< but normally after I have been riding and stop to get gas and kill the bike. When I start it back up, it start for a sec and dies. every time the bike dies like this I have to hit the run button before I can start again. I have a feeling this bike may have more problems than what the guy I bought it from let on. Can anyone please help me figure out where to start. Im leaning towards a faulty off/run switch. Also once in a great while it will throw a “fit” where the guage and headlight continually flash on and off like you were working the key as fast as you could

 

[Raywood]

It may be telling you it has a weak battery. Welcome to the site.
Go down to your HD dealer and get a AGM replacement battery.

 

[Staffy]

Welcome...if easily accessable I would disconnect the HID completely and see if that solves the problem. Take it from there. Just a hunch..

 

[V]

Some 05's also had Voltage Regulator problems. Do you know if the upgrade was done?

 

[RyanU]

the battery seems to be fine, it was a little low when i bought the bike from lack of riding. charged it up and its been fine so far. im really lenin towards the off/run button seems when i mess with it i can make the bike act up.

i dont know if it had a volt reg update. where is it located and is there anway i can tell?

 

[Olde Man]

Mine did exactly the same thing. The EHC did not like the HID when it tries to restrike the lamp after the motor starts to run and you let off of the start button. I went so far as to switch the HID to my high beam so it was not in the start sequence. It would then occasionally kill the dog when I switched to high beam. I would not continue to cause the EHC to shut down. IMO you will be looking at future EHC problems. Some guys have been able to run the HID's and others have this problem.

 

[RyanU]

i cant remember if this was happning before i put th HID in. i know it has gotten worse. kinda embarassing at times. lol. i do know one night i switched to high beam and the bike died. i just dont know what to do. forgive me but what is EHC?

 

[zipsman03]

HID... these bike don't like them with the EHC. I have the same issue, the HID is coming off till the EHC craps out, then wire plus will be added, and back comes the HID. I fight this all the time, but the HID looks so cool you just go with it. Put a H4 in there and you should be good.

 

[RRRUFF]

I think these guys are on the money here, especially the battery. One other thing to consider is the key switch. Mine went bad and the bike would just cut off. Lights and everything was still on and I would have to cycle the key switch and it would start back up. Ended up replacing switch with an HD unit. Problem gone ever since.