07 K9 complete electrical failure

[cain]

Gents, my 07 K9 just took a nose dive. I just changed my pegs and grips yesterday afternoon, took a little time to wash and polish before putting it away, and when I saddled up on her this morning it was business as usual until I pressed the starter button. I'm at a complete loss. Everything seemed perfectly fine during the prestart... turn the key, wait for the speedo needle, give her a couple cranks on the accelerator, press the the run button, press the start button. Starter engaged and died immediately as if I fat fingered the kill switch. It didn't even turn over, it was just a bump and then nothing. I thought it was little strange so I hit the run button again and then tried starting it again. This time the whole electrical system shut down. I'm talking no headlight, no nothing!!!. I turned the key off and turned it back on and it was like there was no battery attached to bike, I mean nothing lit up. She's dead!!!

I've ckecked the battery (12.8v), checked all connections (ignition, EHC, starter, battery, you name it), hell I even removed my right side grip to make sure I didn't screw anything up upon installation of the new grips. I don't see any signs of a problem.

My EHC is the only thing that powers up when I turn the key. The only lights that stay lit are for what I believe to be the "controller on" and "power" if the .jpg at the bottom of Gasman "Read your EHC fault lights" post apply to the 07. It looks like the one posted there anyhow.

Anyhow, I'm clueless. Does anyone have any input? Thanks

 

[slowrower]

I trust you keep it on a battery tender? if not, could be your problem.

Next you mentioned WASH as in water on the bike? did you use a blower to dry it off? if you have not waterproofed your dog this may be the problem as many of the electrical connectors are exposed and subject to deterioration over time and then problems.

While you were changing grips, if the plugs that go to each of your handle bar controls somehow gets disconnected this would do it. Get yourself a big tube of di-electric grease for your connectors and read the how-to on water proofing your dog.

Good Luck!

 

[dingo]

In addition to what slowrower said, you may also want to make sure that you did not pinch any wires in the grip controls when re-assembling that is now causing a bad ground. Hope you get up and running quickly.

 

[MN K9]

Did you check for shorted wires?

There are two fuses/breakers that are supposed to reset themselves after problem is fixed.

I hope you didn't spray water under the seat while washing the dog!

 

[Raywood]

Did you disconnect the battery when you changed grips? If so check to ensure all the little wires are connected back where they should be.
And even though you pulled the right grip I would do it again as that connector in there comes off easily while putting things back together. I use long needle nose pliers to attach that connector back on then ensure the front brake wire in not being pinched, it's the heavy black wire in the front part of the grip.

If all was well before you changed your grips then it's most likely something you did so go back over it again.

Good luck,
Ray

 

[cain]

Yes, washed with water and blown clean just like the other few dozen times in the past. Rechecked all connections (including battery and bars) still no joy. No visual shorts or accidental crimps/kinks. I'm about 99% positive this not caused by something I recently did. I just don't see how. The EHC lights up now (all lights) and none go off; whereas before the "power" indicator remained solid and the "controller on" indicator flashed while all others went off. I disconnected the battery and let it sit for about 20 min, then reassembled everything and there's still nothing different. I thought that maybe it might reset itself. Wishful thinking I guess. Well, I called the boys at the local dealer (never much help) and they stated it might be a faulty EHC. They said that they had seen several issues regarding such and it maybe covered under warranty. Of course they never called back. Anyone heard of such of thing? Someone mentioned "fuses/breakers" that are supposed to reset themselves. Are these internal, or is it sometihing that I can inspect?

Well it's loaded in the trailer and ready to be dropped at the dealer. I keep you posted.

 

[MN K9]

My shop manual mentions two fuses or breakers. It sounds like they are internal.

I've got my controls and bars off right now. I can see there is a chance of the plug coming loose in there. It pretty much unplugged itself when I took the two screws loose to remove the switch cover.

 

[Fibersnake]

Most likely the wiring going to the grip. Hell I have seen the dealer even have to go back and reconnect after they changed a board once. Very easy to knock off as well as get it pinched.

Also it is always best to disconnect battery when working on any electrical componets, just to be on the safe to make sure that you do not short and cause a surge to EHC and F it up. Always disconnect Negative first and reconnect same (Negative) last.

 

[cain]

Couldn't agree more. I'm a Communications guy in the Marine Corps, so working with any electronics naturally brings forth certain safety precautions. Can't help it. it's like second nature now. I seriously have no idea. Everything is connected, nothing is pinched, crimped or kinked; yet, nothing works. The thing ran fine until I washed it. Who'd have thought you could pay in the ball park of $30k for a bike that can't get wet. You should have heard what the guys at the dealership were trying to feed me. God forbid you actually get what you pay for (service included). Anyhow, time will tell now. I was hoping someone could relate (misery loves company) but after seaching the forums in great detail, I don't see too many matches. :loony:

 

[Raywood]

I was hoping someone could relate (misery loves company) but after seaching the forums in great detail, I don't see too many matches. :loony:

No, but you will find loads of topics on not washing your bike!!!

Hope it's something simple so the dealer doesn't sock you with a big bill!!!

:flag:

 

[kirk927]

I had the same symptoms the other day. Had to have two buddies give me the ol' push start. Got home and swapped out a new HD softail battery. Now it starts like a squalded dog. Battery voltage was good on the BDM battery, even kept it on a tender since day one. Had the battery tested and it had a bad cell. Go figure, but I have been riding alot and alot of start and stops for one solid year. I can ride dang near year round in NC. I hope a new battery can fix your issue like it did mine.

 

[BigNWide]

slowrower=

Where do you find " How to water proof your Big Dog???

 

[narow37]

slowrower=

Where do you find " How to water proof your Big Dog???

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/218-how-where-shrink-wrap-your-wires.html

 

[KnotSo]

What was the final analysis of the failure?

 

[bdmridgeback]

The last 2 Complete EHC failures that I had, that was exactly what mine did, to a "T"!!!

Hope you have your pennies saved!

Sorry!

 

[TCALZ06]

I hope it's not your EHC I don't think many 07's have had that problem

I just had to replace my battery and it's been on a tender almost all the time.

The tender light was showing green all the time. When I would go to start it
It would do nothing.

New HD battery and it fires right up and now my tender shows yellow again when I first plug it in.


I think the BDM batteries may be junk because I got a new battery at the dealer when I bought my bike cause the one in it was dead. I had speedo problems fairly quick and with a good battery I never have problems