2004 Ridgback electrical problems-won't start

[bigdog53165]

Have had this problem several times. While riding the bike, it is almost as if someone has reached down and turned the key off. Only thing left working were the parking lights. A total shutdown otherwise. No horn, headlight.

Most of the time, after letting it sit for a while, it would just start back up and run fine with no problems, but the problem was reoccuring and seemed to be taking longer to start up again after shutting down. This occured while riding as well as during initial start up.

During start up, It would start to turn over a couple times, and then just quit. While riding, it would just completely shut down with no warning.

Thought it might be, and even seemed like it was probably a short in the kill switch. I replaced the whole componet consisting of starter, kill switch, and turn signal. This repair did not improve the situation. Bike will still not even attempt to start.

Ideas??

FYI: a couple of times I hit the start switch when it shut down WHILE RIDING, and it would back fire and continue running

 

[mobsta]

do you still have the orig. ehc?also check the wires in that housing you just replaced the switch in.my 04 did that same thing after replacing handlebars.the wire for the front brake light was pinched.mobsta

 

[Raywood]

Your model year had some issues with the cam pickup unit in the cam cover especially if you have pipes that are very close to the case. Otherwise I would ask if you have lots of keys on your key ring? Shouldn't be any.
Might check vapor lock on your gas cap also.
Also, how old is your battery and do you keep it on a tender?
Welcome to the site,
Ray

 

[bigdog53165]

reply

Yes, I still have the original EHC, but I would think that if the EHC were bad, it would just shut down and be done, the intermittant shutdowns and restarts have me 'guessing' it must be in the wiring somehow...I agree it must have something to do with the EHC, 'maybe' but more of a connections problem than the EHC itself, given the shut down, and then restart. I mean, if the EHC goes bad, it just goes bad, right?

 

[bigdog53165]

Thanks Raywood fo r your reply. The gas cap looks fine, but I have wondered if maybe the ignition may have something to do with it as well, it seems that my key has to be 'just right' before it will turn..., but I only have my MC key on the ring...

Your model year had some issues with the cam pickup unit in the cam cover especially if you have pipes that are very close to the case.

Can you explain this a little more??

 

[Raywood]

Can you explain this a little more??

Apparently heat would effect the cam sensor so would cause bike problems. I never had an issue with it on my 03 Mastiff when living in the hot Southwest and my 05 has a crank sensor.
There are numerous threads on this issue somewhere on here. Check the "iginition" section for more.

Also, there was a SB to pull the connection on your EHC and fill it with die-electric grease. Pull yours and ensure it's filled. Just be carefull to not bend or break any pins.

 

[Gas Man]

I would say check the EHC connections.

It could be the right control buttons.

Other obvious check would be the ignition switch itself.

 

[Escobar]

I would say check the EHC connections.

It could be the right control buttons.

Other obvious check would be the ignition switch itself.

I agree, try wiggling the Key and/or the ignition circuit while looking at the EHC lights, maybe its loosing continuity to the EHC due to vibration.