Need help with eletrical problem

dustin7782

New Member
Went out today to start the bike it would not start. It would crank over fully no spark it was getting fuel. all lights and everything was working battery holding a charge. I took it to mechanic and he thinks the silver box for ignition is suppose to have a red light when cranking and there was nothing. He cant find a replacement for it so any suggestions? I am new to this site and new to big dogs so take it easy on me lol. I saw someone on here say cam sensor or crank sensor is that possible for my problem or not thanks. the bike is a 2003 big dog chopper
 

Brew

Troop Supporter
Don't go directly for the Ignition, you have a cam sensor that could have went tit's up! Check that out first! It's located in the nose cone, two screws hold the cover on. It's in front of the cam chest... Just saying! :D

By the way, welcome from Washington State, hope you enjoy the site... :cheers:

Here's how you check it:

1. Disconnect the cam sensor from the ignition module.
2. Take out your multimeter and set it to the RX1 scale.
3. Now while touching the sensor backing plate with the negative meter lead touch the positive meter lead on each of the three wires of the sensor connector (red, black, & green). If you get continuity from the backing plate to any of them the sensor is bad.

If it passes the first test...

1. With your meter still at the same settings touch the positive meter lead to the green wire and the negative meter lead to the black wire. If you get an "open" it's good. (Any resistance is "bad")
2. Then take the positive meter lead and touch the black sensor wire while touching the negative meter lead to the green wire. In this case an "open" is bad. A reading somewhere around 300 - 750 Kohms is what you're looking for.
 
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Brew

Troop Supporter
QUOTE=dustin7782;669613]Thanks Brew my local repair shop has it I will call him tomorrow and tell him to check it first thanks.[/QUOTE]

No worries! Hope that's all it is...:D
 

DRBarnhart

Insert title here...
I called him today he said he checked it and everything with the ignition is dead so he is going to replace it all
I'm sorry but this sounds like a "mechanic" that really doesn't know what he's doing!!! :down:

It's not likely that the whole ignition system is toast. The lack of a red light on the ignition module could be the cam sensor, no power (or ground) to the module, or the module COULD be done. Even if that's the case, the coil(s) are most likely good so changing it all is not prudent troubleshooting! :eek:

It's your dime brother... :)

Dennis
 

Brew

Troop Supporter
I'm sorry but this sounds like a "mechanic" that really doesn't know what he's doing!!! :down:

It's not likely that the whole ignition system is toast. The lack of a red light on the ignition module could be the cam sensor, no power (or ground) to the module, or the module COULD be done. Even if that's the case, the coil(s) are most likely good so changing it all is not prudent troubleshooting! :eek:

It's your dime brother... :)

Dennis
X2 agrees with DRB, you'll be blowing some money for nothing... :(
 

BadDawg Bill

Well-Known Member
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/669600-post4.html


Wow! another same as the other post response... Imagine that...
Ya, another day and another 5 posts with help me electrical problems. I figured I'd just save time... image that...

Sooner or later BD owners will wake up and realize the only way to have a reliable bike is to old school wire it. BD had a bad design, futuristic but bad. You can't put a computer in a hot, humid and vibrating bike without destroying it. The controls are not water proof and sooner or later give up. Ya, BD bikes are beautiful and fun to ride but you have to have a dependable electrical system to ride it and enjoy it. Replacing one computer with another makes as much sense as gettin married again...

Now all you guys who have had good luck with your first wife and BD bike so far piss on me but just look at all the Help me threads everyday and most have to do with electrical problems and probably wives.... You're next...
 
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Jwooky

Well-Known Member
Ya, another day and another 5 posts with help me electrical problems. I figured I'd just save time... image that...

Sooner or later BD owners will wake up and realize the only way to have a reliable bike is to old school wire it. BD had a bad design, futuristic but bad. You can't put a computer in a hot, humid and vibrating bike without destroying it. The controls are not water proof and sooner or later give up. Ya, BD bikes are beautiful and fun to ride but you have to have a dependable electrical system to ride it and enjoy it. Replacing one computer with another makes as much sense as gettin married again...

Now all you guys who have had good luck with your first wife and BD bike so far piss on me but just look at all the Help me threads everyday and most have to do with electrical problems and probably wives.... You're next...
"You can't put a computer in a hot, humid and vibrating bike without destroying it."

You are so incorrect about this. Virtually every car and bike on the planet are fuel injected and are controlled by a ECU and outlive the life of the vehicle. Executed properly, (this is where BDM had issues) it will be extremely reliable. Absolutely no need to scrap it all.
 

Joke•ster

Active Member
Yea not feelin it!! Im chasing electrical problems on this k9. I paid thousands for the bike only to be a wet nurse . I want to ride the bike not wunder wtf will happen today . I need a solution cause 500$ then another 400$ in parts and labor (and MY time) then more later is frustrating . Pay the 1500.00 bullit and change the electrical system. !!!!!All of ya gotta get on board with a system that works, !!!
dont get me wrong I love the sight. Some helpful some not, but you gotta be tired of defending/explaning the electrical system
 

stoney

New Member
having problem with my k9 have replaced battery with new and everything was fine so plugged it battery tender next day put key in turn on no power removed seat checked all connections all good turn key on system lights turn on but still no power to start so charge battery next day fine went to ride next day no power so I remove key barrel and check that put everything back together charge battery everything good haved had to recharge battery again can anybody give me an aswer these electrical gremlins are driving me nuts
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Yea not feelin it!! Im chasing electrical problems on this k9. I paid thousands for the bike only to be a wet nurse . I want to ride the bike not wunder wtf will happen today . I need a solution cause 500$ then another 400$ in parts and labor (and MY time) then more later is frustrating . Pay the 1500.00 bullit and change the electrical system. !!!!!All of ya gotta get on board with a system that works, !!!
dont get me wrong I love the sight. Some helpful some not, but you gotta be tired of defending/explaning the electrical system
There is more than one way to skin a cat.

The best electrical system is only as good as the person who installs it. You have to go with what you can reasonably perform.

It's not hard to understand the electrical system but it will take someone time. I'll be honest I wouldn't recommend someone buying a BigDog unless they are willing to put in the effort to the learn the bikes and work on it themselves. Or else you will just be a sucker to the bike shop. These High Powered custom motorcycles come at a price...it's either your time and patience or your checkbook. Or in some cases BOTH.

If you want a bike you just turn the key and ride buy a BMW.
 
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