Another "no power" problem

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Not to throw a kink in the works here but...

The EHC should be getting power ALL the time through a red wire going directly to the battery. It should have a ground ALL the time throught the black wire going to the battery. The only thing the ignition switch does is supply a ground signal to the EHC telling it to turn on.

You mentioned you have a newer gold EHC? Is there a circuit board plugged in to the top of the EHC that has the 50 pin connector plugged in to that?

And have you tried shorting the ignition switch wire together?

Depending on what you have there's a couple of other things to check before you pronounce the EHC DOA!!!

Dennis
The orange wire signals the power to the EHC I thought :confused:
Maybe I'm reading the schematic wrong :confused: I dont see a direct Hot wire to the EHC without going passed the Orange Ignition wire.
 

DRBarnhart

Insert title here...
The black wire on the igntion switch is a ground. When you turn on the switch the orange wire also becomes a ground. The newly grounded orange wire signals the EHC to turn on. That's why it's called "ground switching".

Dennis
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
He did state that when he turns the key switch on, all the lights on the EHC light up for a split second, then all lights go off. Is this correct?
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
The black wire on the igntion switch is a ground. When you turn on the switch the orange wire also becomes a ground. The newly grounded orange wire signals the EHC to turn on. That's why it's called "ground switching".

Dennis
I stand corrected! Correct hot wire to EHC ALL the time, my bad. I was reading the schemetic incorrectly.


He's getting power to the ignition so all that is left is to ensure the "grounding switch" is working properly? Ie Orange wire sending a ground signal...Pin 43 is the orange wire from the ignition.
 
Last edited:

DRBarnhart

Insert title here...
Maybe I'm reading the schematic wrong :confused: I dont see a direct Hot wire to the EHC without going passed the Orange Ignition wire.
Look at the red wire going to the battery on your wiring diagram. You'll notice it connects to three places besides the battery, the 30A breaker, the starter, and the EHC. That's where the EHC gets its power to run...

Dennis
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Look at the red wire going to the battery on your wiring diagram. You'll notice it connects to three places besides the battery, the 30A breaker, the starter, and the EHC. That's where the EHC gets its power to run...

Dennis
I wasn't going to admit it but that BIG Black Box that says EHC around it, yea missed that! I assumed the box with "Controller" in it was EHC, but definatly not. :down:


I'm just here to assist! You're doing great! :2thumbs:

Dennis

Your much more savy than me in regards to the electrical stuff:up:. I know when to let someone else give it a shot :D I just want to make sure this dude gets up and running! I dont care who takes the wheel! Plus I learned something today, which is badass in my book :up:
 

sekcycles

Member
Ok, so...I decided I was tired of messing with the EHC, so I installed a 12v keyswitch , starter button, relay, and fuse, direct wired the TH ignition, turned the key, pushed the button and TA-DA!! she fired right up and runs like a dream! All should need to do is re-wire the headlights get some turn signals and switches...etc. What it all boiled down to was 8 very frustrating hours hunting for a problem and 20 minutes running wires around it. Going around the stupid EHC was absolutely the right way for me.
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
Ok, so...I decided I was tired of messing with the EHC, so I installed a 12v keyswitch , starter button, relay, and fuse, direct wired the TH ignition, turned the key, pushed the button and TA-DA!! she fired right up and runs like a dream! All should need to do is re-wire the headlights get some turn signals and switches...etc. What it all boiled down to was 8 very frustrating hours hunting for a problem and 20 minutes running wires around it. Going around the stupid EHC was absolutely the right way for me.
Cool!


If your going to rewire and go harley switches and controls your going to need to get some new bars. The BDM ones are thicker than the standard harley bars. To my knowledge there is no replacement. some have cut the bars and welded in the thinner stock to take the control/grips.

I know you say you are tight on cash, but spending that $600 on the WP is probably going to be almost cheaper, and a HELL of a lot easier to do. Your call though, nothing wrong with doing a total rewire job :2thumbs:
 

sekcycles

Member
New bars=no problem. I'm a welder/machinist by trade so making a set or modifying the existing will be easy and no expense. Selling the BD handlebar controls, speedo, and turn signals will generate more than enough cash for replacements...plus I have done the same simplified wire job on other bikes I've owned (because it works) and I get the peace of mind using a wiring system that's been proven to work just fine for decades.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
Most likely all you've done is confirmed the EHC has failed. Save your money for a WP or see if you can find a good used cheap EHC. They're still out there, but few and far between. A total re-wire is way out of my league but there may be some on here that can assist if that's the way you want to go.
 

sekcycles

Member
I've done the wiring before on several bikes, and a few from scratch. I'm not a stranger to it. My perspective is: Why would I keep and continue to use an unfamiliar and flawed wiring system (EHC)? Replacing the bad EHC with another one? What in the world for? So I can have it gnawing at me every time I rode, that this EHC may fail too? Even with using a WP, I still have the same system. I can replace it myself easier, faster and yes, believe it or not, CHEAPER with a simpler more understandable wiring system that works every time and is easy to troubleshoot.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I totally agree. I changed over to a WP while my EHC was working perfectly well. As far as comparing the EHC to a WP, they are a world of difference apart. You rarely if ever hear folks on this forum asking for help to troubleshoot electrical issues that have a WP installed. Sure, same system in the hand controls, but the WP is the way to go.......unless like yourself you have the knowledge and experience to perform a complete change over. Good luck. You might want to document your procedures for those that may want to do the same thing. In this economy, money is tight for many of us and if there's a better, cheaper way, then by all means, share with the rest.
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
New bars=no problem. I'm a welder/machinist by trade so making a set or modifying the existing will be easy and no expense. Selling the BD handlebar controls, speedo, and turn signals will generate more than enough cash for replacements...plus I have done the same simplified wire job on other bikes I've owned (because it works) and I get the peace of mind using a wiring system that's been proven to work just fine for decades.
Agreed! I dont have access to a welder so it would cost me significantly more than yourself. I'm partial to the controls on the 04 and up BD as they are quite slick looking but I definatly don't blame ya for going another route. You will be better off in the long run I'm sure. :cheers:

If you get the extra time post up some pics and log the modification, I would love to see it :up:
 

max davidson

New Member
hi brew . hey where can i get the wire plus ? do you know the price of it ? I have a 2006 pit bull , and its let me set'n already , horn blew and it shut off . any help ? thanks man
 

BigMack73

High-Tech RedNeck Rider
hi brew . hey where can i get the wire plus ? do you know the price of it ? I have a 2006 pit bull , and its let me set'n already , horn blew and it shut off . any help ? thanks man
Since I am having severe intermittant electrical issues on my 07 K-9 I have been looking fondly/longingly at these Wire Plus suppliers (For the 04-UP Big Dogs):

Phat Performance Parts:
Wire Plus Big Dog EHC Retrofit Wiring Kit (04-UP) - WP374

Vicious Cycle Works:
Big Dog EHC Retrofit kit Replacement Electronic Modules 2004 through 2010

Also, with the Wires Plus ECH Retrofit comes the need to install a new 3 position Ignition/Key switch? (Don't take my word for it, I have not done this yet!! But, there is a guy named Jake or 'bdmridgeback':
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/members/bdmridgeback.html
on this Board who can help you with WP install, just search for WP, or Wire Plus and the threads will come up!)
To be fair, Jake only sends his instructions or helps those who buy the Wire Plus Kits from him, but, he is the best and I used to see his expertise in action on the Forums. Now he will work exclusively with anyone who buys from him so if you want the best support available, he is the man!

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/26905-wire-plus-how-instuctions-missing.html

The Vicious Cycle at $562.00 claims the Key Switch is included in the Kit!
The Phat Perf is only listed at $494.00 but, you will have to purchase a new Ignition Switch to work with it.

Wire Plus Sticky Threads in the Forums/How To section with pictures of WP Installs:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/17898-how-wire-plus-module-install-pictures.html

People are helping me now so I felt the urge to give help back where I could!
I may be doing a WP install (more likely paying someone else to do it 'right' for me...) in the near future! :up:
 
Top