1998 Pitbull electrical issue

[Cappy1911]

I recently bought a 1998 Big Dog Pitbull, the previous owner thought the battery was bad because it wouldnt hold a charge for more than 5 or 6 starts, I replaced the battery and after 2 days the problem returned, now the bike wont even start even after charging the battery. I even tried jump starting it. the small box which i assume is the starter relay just clicks when i crank it but there is no juice going to the starter. does anyone know what could be going on?

 

[Brew]

I would start by troubleshooting your stator and voltage regulator. If your charging system isn't working, the battery no worky. Also make sure all your connections are tight and clean... :2thumbs:

 

[pauldeepsea]

I would start by troubleshooting your stator and voltage regulator. If your charging system isn't working, the battery no worky. Also make sure all your connections are tight and clean... :2thumbs:

X2
And check your battery and the wires. but if I was to bet I would say its a bad voltage regulator.

 

[Cappy1911]

Where is the Voltage Regulator located?

 

[MyDogPete]

Not 100% positive on 98 pit but I would say it's mounted on a bracket that's wielded to the frame down tubing in front of the engine. It's a black rectangular box with fins. The wiring coming out of the bottom is the wiring going to the stator.
If I'm wrong someone will step in and correct me.

 

[BadBrad]

Cappy, what kind of new battery did you get? Words of wisdom, don't go cheap on batteries and don't get anything less than 310cca. I've gone through Drag Specialties, Interstate and some other "deal" that didn't last a month. When you refer to a "small box" being your starter relay, are you sure that's what it is? Could be a bad solenoid. Have you checked the battery voltage both sitting and while trying to turn the motor over? That alone will tell you a lot.

 

[Five Five]

Run down and verify your battery connections are GOOD ....Re-tighten and or replace cables as necessary and always be careful jumping your motorcycle with car or truck .... do not jump with the vehicles running .

 

[firedog]

I would start by troubleshooting your stator and voltage regulator. If your charging system isn't working, the battery no worky. Also make sure all your connections are tight and clean... :2thumbs:

X2 Brew. Check the Connections, I once had a bad ground from my V/R. Cleaned it up and I was riding again.

 

[Cappy1911]

Connections are good, battery is also high quality. I can ride for about an hour and then she just dies. Checked voltage at the battery, shes sitting at between 12 and 13, but does not increase when i give her throttle so im guessing theres an issue with the charging system. I'm just not sure how to test weather its the stator or voltage regulator (which i located)...

 

[LARS]

I'm on my third starter relay,tell tale sign,,,click.replace it,like 12bucks at auto parts store.Mine is on the underside of EHC,not sure what your 98 is set up like,if it's the prob.check into starter binding up somewhere.just a couple thoughts.good luck
P.S--not,by any means an expert or claim to know much,just been through a couple things myself

 

[Cappy1911]

thanks, already replaced Starter relay, and no issues with the starter. like i said, shes just not recharging while i ride.

 

[LARS]

Well,I'm sure you'll get it figured out,hopefully sooner than later,,Good luck.

 

[pauldeepsea]

Connections are good, battery is also high quality. I can ride for about an hour and then she just dies. Checked voltage at the battery, shes sitting at between 12 and 13, but does not increase when i give her throttle so im guessing theres an issue with the charging system. I'm just not sure how to test weather its the stator or voltage regulator (which i located)...

others are welcome to chime in!! but since you are able to ride and then it dies I dont think it would be a voltage regulator or charging system. Seems like that would be a starting issue... anyone??? sounds like a fuel issue or a cam sensor (heat issue). anyone???

will it fire back up after it dies?

 

[pauldeepsea]

and BTW have you done a voltage regulator and stator check I think jake BDMRIDGEBACK did a how to on this..

 

[Cappy1911]

it wont fire back up because the battery is completely drained when it dies... as soon as i get a charge back in it she fires right up

 

[BadBrad]

Get the battery charged back up so you can start the bike. The voltage at idle should be around 14.5VDC. If it's between 12 and 13, that's probably just the charge of the battery from sitting on the tender. Check your stator and Voltage regulator. There's a how to for that. In short, unplug your VR from the stator on the front bottom of the block. With your meter reading AC voltage, place the two leads from the meter on the two prongs coming out of the block. It helps to have someone assist with this. At idle, you should get 15 to 20 volts. Now, rev the motor up and you should get around 60 to 70 volts AC. If that's working, plug your VR back in and follow the how to for checking the VR. Most likely, if the stator is putting out but your only getting 12 to 13 volts on the battery then it's probably the VR.

 

[Fibersnake]

Sorry to hear of your problems. I would do a check on the stator and VR as other have mentioned. Here is a good bit of info to give you an idea of how to go about checking it out.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/24664-stator-check-out.html

Also seems like there is allot of people that immediately change out batteries and go through a few with no luck. Batteries can be hit and mis for sure, but before ruling or replacing a battery, always would take one na dhave it properly check by a Auto Parts store or Battery dealer, one that can do a proper load test and inner cell checks.

Some batteries are better than other, no question about that, how ever for the majority, a basic battery that is AGM and meet the requirement will do. I think many will be surprised at the number of people that have had years with no starting issue with the OEM battery. Simple 270 cca amp battery.

If you got some heavy mods or one that is older that may not have Comp Release, than a more specialised battery is for sure something you should consider.

Main thing is to keep them on a good tender and unless known for a fact that it is bad, to check everything else. I have had my BD for 7 years and have found that batteries last me an average of 3 years or so, right now I have a cheap WalAmrt Everlast battery that is 2 years old and last time I was home, started right up, put over 500 miles on it with no issues. May be lucky, but all the BD OEM had similar luck with.

Anyway check out the link and recommend that you do all the checks and go from there. It does sound like a charging issue.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[jfrank]

I just had a stator go a few weeks ago, and it took the VR with it. If you have to change one you should generally change both. On mine the stator shorted out to ground. A pretty common fail for a stator, but an easy test. Without the bike running, unplug the VR, at the plug on the engine check the two sockets each seperately for continuity to a ground. Neither one should have continuity. If either does the stator is bad and a good chance the VR.

 

[Panhead Bill]

Charging system

It sounds to me you have a bad stator. If after you charge the battery it fires back up its not charging and you are running off the battery until it dies then the dog cuts off put a meter on her and check your stator and rotor

 

[BillV64117]

Hey - Bad Brad has the combination. I have the 1994 - 2004 BD service manual open and Brad has it nailed. If you don' t have the BigDog manual, EVO engine HDs have the same troubleshooting procedures. Talk to your motorcycle, make it your friend.