EHC related problem

N

Noey

New Member
Hey guys I need some help. I have an '04 Big Dog Pitbull and it's gone hay wire on me. After calling different Big Dog service departments (Dallas and San Antonio since Austin doesn't have one) and they've all told me that it sounds like an EHC problem. Any advice anyone can give me on this one I'd greatly appreciate.

Questions:

1.) How much should I expect to pay for one?
2.) Worth replacing as opposed to rewiring? I'd hate to just have to spend money on another one down the line.
3.) If the EHC's are such a problem, why hasn't Big Dog done a recall on them?

Can't wait to get out and ride . . . thanks in advance.

Noey
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Lots of help here but you really didn't tell us what is wrong with the bike. Why do you thing the EHC is the problem? Tell us what problems you have and maybe we can help. How is your battery? They lead to most problems if you ask me.
We have several experts here from the factory so they can help you out all we can.

Have you checked all of your wiring especially under the tank for grounds. Grounds cause havoc to the EHC and the low voltage system.

If you do need an EHC you will have to fork over a few bucks for it. It was upgraded a while back and is quite expensive. But the EHC is always blamed so lets look at other things first.

:cheers:
 
ZZ CHOP

ZZ CHOP

Member
Noey What Ray said..every single detail that you've noticed will help, a friend of mine paid 465.00 at a dealer in Ringgold GA just a few weeks ago, it was also an 04 but it was what i think they call the retrofit, its gold in color and has a outside board and looks like it has a jumper wire, i guess you already know about the wire plus module, the next time my EHC takes a dump the WP may be the way i go..maybe its not the EHC ..Dave.
 
N

Noey

New Member
Raywood -

Thanks for the quick reply. Well it all started acting a little funky when I rode it one day and noticed that once I powered off the bike that my lights stayed on even after I pulled the key out. The only way I was able to turn them off was by honking the horn . . . it did this about 3 more times after I rode it before it finally croaked.

Around this same time, I noticed that my 3 LED lights showed a little dimmed, again after I powered off the bike . . . and they wouldn't turn completely off until I disconnected the battery.

A little note . . . the battery is new, and the bike now will not start at all. And, the bike probably doesn't have more than 3,500 miles on it.

Anyhow, I posed these questions to both Big Dog service departments in Dallas and in San Antonio, and they both couldn't conclusively say what was wrong unless I brought the bike in for service, but they sounded in agreement that the problem MIGHT be the EHC.
 
N

Noey

New Member
Dave-

Thanks for your comments regarding my problem. I don't know about the wire plus module, what is that??? Should I go that route too? I willing to do whatever I can do to get my girl back out on the road. How much does this Wire Plus Module cost?
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
Yep, sounds like the EHC headed south for retirement!!!! Usually when lights don't turn off after the key is removed it is a pretty good sign of EHC issues. Not to say that it isn't a short somewhere else, but usually if unhooking the battery temporarily fixes the problem, then the EHC is to blame.

I think if you take a vote from guys with only 2004 bikes that have done an EHC replacement, that the failure rate is pretty common very shortly after doing it.

Wire-Plus module is a great way to go, it is a very reliable unit, but some guys will say to go the "cheaper" way and buy parts off ebay to rewire it.

Look into all options first and weigh out cost versus reliability.
 
Agentbman

Agentbman

Member
Noey I have a 2004 Mastiff and its pretty much a known reality that the EHC's were crap...That said I replaced mine with the stock version (about $275) but they not making them anymore and replaced them with the 05 and newer version with an "adapter" to fit our bikes.

If mine takes a dump again, I am going the Wire-Plus route that was linked a couple of posts back. It makes you wanna :bang: but its worth it (most of the time anyway!) :up: :flag:
 
N

Noey

New Member
Agentbman-

Thanks for the advice . . . I am heavily considering going the Wire-Plus route, but I seriously don't think that I can install it myself. I've seen the step by step install that was posted up, but I don't trust myself. What do you think???

Noey
 
DRBarnhart

DRBarnhart

Insert title here...
Dude, if you want to fix your bike you have to do like ZZ says and relay every single detail of the problem to us whether it be in words or pictures!
Noey said:
... noticed that once I powered off the bike that my lights stayed on even after I pulled the key out.
Click to expand...
What lights? And did you check continuity of your key switch both thru the switch and to ground? :confused:
Noey said:
I noticed that my 3 LED lights showed a little dimmed...
Click to expand...
What 3 LEDs? :confused: :confused:
Noey said:
I posed these questions to both Big Dog service departments in Dallas and in San Antonio, and they both couldn't conclusively say what was wrong unless I brought the bike in for service, but they sounded in agreement that the problem MIGHT be the EHC.
Click to expand...
And this surprises you how? There's number of possible causes and with the vague information you provide for troubleshooting no one would be able to tell you conclusively what the problem is!!! Plus, you have to keep in mind that the dealership makes their money by laying their hands on your bike, not by troubleshooting for free over the phone.

I also asked if there were any lights lit on your EHC when you turn the key on and your reply:
Noey said:
Yes, the lights on the EHC are on.
Click to expand...
So I have to ask what lights, specifically, are on? :confused: :confused: :confused:

I know your original question was about the cost of an EHC and/or rewiring the bike as if doing one or the other was a given. Your problem MAY be the EHC in which case your going to spend some cash. I'm relatively certain that the Wire+ mod would fix you problem too but it'll also cost some change especially if you're not inclined to do it yourself. As long as you realize that without some sound troubleshooting both remedies may be a case of shooting a butterfly with a bazooka... There are ways to make sure this isn't the case.

It's a fact that good solid troubleshooting is beyond the inclination of some, there's no shame in that. If this is the case just take your bike to a reputable Big Dog mechanic and put him to work! If you want to fix your bike keep asking questions here and I'm sure someone with more experience on Big Dogs will probably chime in. :up:

You just have to decide what you're capable of and what you want to do... :D

Dennis
 
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