NO...not me too (Random Power shutdowns)

cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
I've read a lot of posts about BDM owners with problems like this. Also, many solutions. I have ~15,000 miles on a 2007 K-9.

Yesterday on my commute home the all power just went off while I was zipping down the Beltway on a 104 degF afternoon. This wasn't just the ignition losing power. The speedometer was dead, everything dead.

I pulled over, turned off the ignition key, turned it back on fired up and started riding again. This happened a dozen times until I sat back and let it cool off a bit. Fired it back up and rode another 20 miles home.

I check every major elelctrical component. Everything is charged or charging, switches work and connections are tight, breakers are engaged. No tell-tale lights on the EHC. I ran some errands on the K-9 today and had no problems.

I suspect the EHC was having trouble with the Texas heat.

I just want to double check before I order a Wire Plus and switch replacement. I depend on this bike. I can't have it crapping out whenever it gets hot.

Thanks, Cor.
 
Top1371

Top1371

Active Member
This sounds exactly like what happened to me when my EHC went tits up. I went wire plus and haven't had that problem since.
 
Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
Sorry to hear about the trouble, hope you track it down and become worry free soon...
 
Mojo

Mojo

Member
If it happens again, pull over if possible without turning the key off. Look at the EHC. If most of the LED's are lit up, this is an indication that there was an interuption of power to the EHC. If this is the case, then make sure that the ring terminals for the EHC at the battery are crimped tightly to the wires. This could also be caused by a problem with the key switch or battery. Turn the key on and wiggle it. If it shuts off the electrical, there's the problem. If there is a LED flashing when you pull over, there is a short in the wiring somewhere on the bike that is connected to the main power circuit of the EHC. If none of the above remedy your issue, then your EHC is heading south for vacation...permanently!
 
cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
To EHC or not to EHC?

Mojo said:
If it happens again, pull over if possible without turning the key off. Look at the EHC. If most of the LED's are lit up, this is an indication that there was an interuption of power to the EHC. If this is the case, then make sure that the ring terminals for the EHC at the battery are crimped tightly to the wires. This could also be caused by a problem with the key switch or battery. Turn the key on and wiggle it. If it shuts off the electrical, there's the problem. If there is a LED flashing when you pull over, there is a short in the wiring somewhere on the bike that is connected to the main power circuit of the EHC. If none of the above remedy your issue, then your EHC is heading south for vacation...permanently!
Click to expand...
Gentlemen,
Thanks for the quick responses. The battery, charging system and ignition are in good to excellent condition. I rode the bike around (in push distances from the house) yesterday and flogged it, hoping something would break, cut-out, burn-up...nothing. Jiggled the ignition switch, battery voltage...all good. In fact, it fires up hard the first time and runs great (why I like the bike).

I will admit, I tightened the bolt on the hot battery terminal. Its wasn't loose but I was able to get a 90 degree turn on it.

Wire Plus...what a mess. I just ordered one. It looks like they make them as they are ordered, no inventory.

I will ride the K-9 as is (take my chances) and take a look at the EHC lights should it happen again.

Thanks, Cor
 
PHATASS

PHATASS

Active Member
Had this happen to me last month when temps got up in the 90's. Come to find out, the connection on my oil pressure switch was loose. Tightened the connection and haven't had a problem since.
 
Wills67

Wills67

Well-Known Member
Glad to see the post and all the responses. Had the same thing happen to me last week here in Dallas on the way to work. Sat a while and once it cooled a bit it started and got home no probs. Made sure the batt had charge and have ridden a few times since without a problem. Time to go through all the other things y'all have mentioned.
 
Tim

Tim

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cvegmond said:
Gentlemen,
Thanks for the quick responses. The battery, charging system and ignition are in good to excellent condition. I rode the bike around (in push distances from the house) yesterday and flogged it, hoping something would break, cut-out, burn-up...nothing. Jiggled the ignition switch, battery voltage...all good. In fact, it fires up hard the first time and runs great (why I like the bike).

I will admit, I tightened the bolt on the hot battery terminal. Its wasn't loose but I was able to get a 90 degree turn on it.

Wire Plus...what a mess. I just ordered one. It looks like they make them as they are ordered, no inventory.

I will ride the K-9 as is (take my chances) and take a look at the EHC lights should it happen again.

Thanks, Cor
Click to expand...
I'm like you, still running the original EHC on my '07 and I'm around 12k on the odometer. I did order a wire plus kit about 2 years ago and it's sitting in the garage still... it's nice to know it's there if/when I'll need it.
 
cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
Contined Random Power Shutdowns

BubbleHead said:
I'm like you, still running the original EHC on my '07 and I'm around 12k on the odometer. I did order a wire plus kit about 2 years ago and it's sitting in the garage still... it's nice to know it's there if/when I'll need it.
Click to expand...
The power shutdownis very fast and then its back. Just fast enough to kill the engine. It's a complete power trip when it happens and it happened last night after it cooled off.

I pulled over last night after the power shutdown, left the key in the ignition to run and checked the EHC lights. Nothing flashing, except the power...like its ready to start. Its like the EHC doesn't know that the bike is losing power, which it should.

The bike will start and idle anytime, no problems. Once your underway is when the issues begin. It does seem like its related to hitting bumps and high rpm vibration. All my connections are tight at the EHC and the battery.

Perhaps, I should open all the connections and reseat them.

It could be that the EHC is going bad. I guess I'll have to order a WirePlus.

Anybody out there installed the WirePlus on a K-9? Do you need special tools? What's the correct way to get gas tank off?

Thanks, Cor.
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
Have you tried cleaning and adding a little solder to those crimped connections. Just a thought. Plus, this is what I did to my suspect connections. If it never shutsdown randomly again, I probably had a corroded connection or at least one with high resistance.
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
If it happens when you hit a bump, then your seat may be contacting the terminals on the battery connections and causing them to loosen up.
 
cvegmond

cvegmond

Member
Loose Connectors

Nukeranger said:
If it happens when you hit a bump, then your seat may be contacting the terminals on the battery connections and causing them to loosen up.
Click to expand...
Its a stock seat pan and its does have room for the battery.

I will try disconnecting the plugs from the EHC, add the dielectric grease and set them back in.

I would think that if the EHC is a solid state device it would not be suseptable to bumps and vibration. Makes me think its a loose connection to or from the EHC.

The battery connections are good and it still loses power, but only when I ride. never at idle.

Thanks, Cor.
 
HMAN

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
My random shutdowns were the result of a poor battery tie down strap. Battery would vibrate enough to hit the ECH plug n blam....random shutdowns. Fixed the strap n no more issues.:zz2cents:
 
1goodsinner

1goodsinner

Member
I just bought my 2005 BDM Chopper 6 weeks ago and I've already had this random shutdown 5 times.It doesn't matter what speed or distance travelled,or anything!Every time,now,I remove the seat,and there are 2 rectangular black boxes plugged into the top of the EHC;I tighten the 2 little screws holding each black box down and the bike runs great for awhile.When it does shut down again I check those 4 screws and every time now they have been somewhat lose.I'm talking just a tiny,partial turn lose.I wouldn't think such a tiny amount of looseness would make a difference,and this may not be the answer;but it's working right now.
 
BUCK NAKED

BUCK NAKED

Member
I had this problem coming back after a Motley Crue, New York Dolls concert in Fort McCoy WI. I pulled over and thought it was something major. I started with the basics, pulled the seat off to check the battery terminals then pulled on the little back ground wire, that was the problem. A new connector and crimping tool back on the road.

Buck Naked
 
outdoorsman26

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
I say ya get get the wires plus and you will never have the problem again and you will never have to worry if you will make it somewhere!!!
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
I am not against Wire Plus but I would check over all your connections real good before deciding its the EHC's fault.:D
 
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