ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS INDICATES???

[Whistler]

When I turn the key on, all four turn signals flash like an emergency. Nothing else works, no pre-start fuel pump whine, no starter turn over - nothing. Nothing turns the flashing signals off except turning the key off.

I have a 2008 K-9 EFI with only 2500 miles, garage kept, no rain/water exposure.

Two weeks ago I installed a new heavy duty battery and had this same problem but it went away after hours of wiring checks, etc. The bike started fine several times, but now it's back to the same problem as two weeks ago.

The battery is new, tested, fully charged, and on a quality tender. All connections are clean and tight. No abnormal EHC indicator lights.

What sort of wiring problem or device failure does all turn signals flashing indicate? Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Nukeranger]

The 2008 Service Manual says the emergency flashers are an EHC function which is activated by pressing both the left and right turn signal buttons simultaneously. The key switch must be ON for flasher operations. To deactivate the flashers press either of the turn signal buttons or just turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

Hence, it doesn't make sense that they would still be on! Is the headlight on? It can be toggled with the RUN and OFF buttons.

This morning (Jan 14th), I checked my emergency flashers as described above and it worked exactly as described in the service manual.

I would have to agree with what the others are saying about connections.

 

[Kdub]

I would make sure your ground wire is good and tight and making a clean connection.

 

[Nukeranger]

I would make sure your ground wire is good and tight and making a clean connection.

X2

 

[Abaco21]

... And if not a connection, a dead/shot battery.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Try disconnecting the battery and wait a little bit and then reconnect the battery. Have the new battery load tested and make sure it is still good. Be sure and check all the wires going to the battery. Check all the crimps on the wires and make sure there making goood connections. Sounds like a low voltage condition or a short somewhere.

 

[erldawg]

Try disconnecting the battery and wait a little bit and then reconnect the battery. Have the new battery load tested and make sure it is still good. Be sure and check all the wires going to the battery. Check all the crimps on the wires and make sure there making goood connections. Sounds like a low voltage condition or a short somewhere.

I would agree. First set of cable crimps I would look at are the ends where you tightened the bolt last time around.

What brand battery did you install? Hopefully you installed one with minimum of 310 cca's...

 

[Whistler]

THIS IS CRAZY!!!

Went out this afternoon, turned the ignition key, and the bike started like normal. So, now my bike has two possible states of operation when I turn the key on: (1) The hazard lights flash and can only be turned off with the ignition key - nothing else works, no other lights, no fuel pump whine, no horn, nothing. Or (2) the tach lights up, fuel pump whines, and the bike starts as normal.

The only variable that I can possibly see is ambient temperature. This afternoon was warmer. I guess I'll have to plot a chart to see if there is a correllation.

 

[BigDogBro1]

Went out this afternoon, turned the ignition key, and the bike started like normal. So, now my bike has two possible states of operation when I turn the key on: (1) The hazard lights flash and can only be turned off with the ignition key - nothing else works, no other lights, no fuel pump whine, no horn, nothing. Or (2) the tach lights up, fuel pump whines, and the bike starts as normal.

The only variable that I can possibly see is ambient temperature. This afternoon was warmer. I guess I'll have to plot a chart to see if there is a correllation.

Okay, I have doubts that it's temperature related.

It's easier to ask a few questions and get full answers.

1. Exactly what are the EHC LEDs doing during the abnormal operation?

2. Have you disconnected both EHC harness connections, cleaned and installed fresh dielectric grease? If you do, first disconnect battery.

3. I would check to make sure the handelbar control buttons are not stuck in the depressed state. Failed keydome in closed state...test continuity on switches.

4. Have you recently had or done any work on the bike?

5. Did you have this problem prior to installing the battery?

6. Have you checked all the CRIMPED connections to the WIRE for the connectors going to the battery posts? PULL ON THEM!
If you have a poor connection for these wires at the battery posts you will get wierd stuff going on - I did.

7. Open the headlight bucket and check for melted bulb connector. Not sure if both filiments out cause flashing 4-ways.

 

[stlmikie]

Bad connection somewhere. Be it a short or ground.

 

[WRM66]

I WOULD SAY A BAD GROUND....MINE DID THAT ONE TIME....WAS THE GROUND ON THE STARTER..

 

[liferider]

By chance did you use a jump start box on the bike. EHC units go hay wire and sometimes burn up other times do weird as shit stuff till there replaced, sometimes no damage done at all. Learned that one the hard way 4-5 yrs ago. :bang:

 

[Whistler]

TEMPERATURE DROPS, BIKE WON'T START!!!

Ok, the outside temperature dropped to 45F this evening and the bike would not start. Turned the key and the emergency flashers started flashing - absolutely nothing else worked. No tach lights, no fuel pump whine, no starter engage, no horn, no head light, etc. The emergency flashers continue and can't be stopped unless I turn the key off. This is crazy!!!!!!!

If I happen to turn the key on and get No emergency hazard flashers, every thing works great - tach lights up, fuel pump whines, starter engages, and the engine turns over/starts like a champ!! This tells me the battery and wiring connections are fine. SOMETHING IS TELLING THE EHC TO FLASH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND NOT ENERGIZE THE "POWER UP" CIRCUIT.

Still scratching my head?? :bang::bang::bang:

 

[erldawg]

Ok, the outside temperature dropped to 45F this evening and the bike would not start. Turned the key and the emergency flashers started flashing - absolutely nothing else worked. No tach lights, no fuel pump whine, no starter engage, no horn, no head light, etc. The emergency flashers continue and can't be stopped unless I turn the key off. This is crazy!!!!!!!

If I happen to turn the key on and get No emergency hazard flashers, every thing works great - tach lights up, fuel pump whines, starter engages, and the engine turns over/starts like a champ!! This tells me the battery and wiring connections are fine. SOMETHING IS TELLING THE EHC TO FLASH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND NOT ENERGIZE THE "POWER UP" CIRCUIT.

Still scratching my head?? :bang::bang::bang:

It is still possible that you may have a bad connection on a wire somewhere. Did you take the time to verify all the connections?
If you think it's the EHC hold a hair dry on the EHC to warm it up and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Ambient temperature was the exact problem I had with my ehc.
Too chilly and the damn thing wouldn't start. Hell, one night I had to start it by pouring HOT WATER on the EHC to warm it up.

Mike

 

[Mickeetwo]

Had a Polaris that did the same thing. Put a hair dryer on the CDI and it would fire right up.

 

[Whistler]

PERFORMED TEST WITH RESULTS!!

This morning was 30F so I decided to perform a test:
1. Turned key, only emergency flashers flashed - absolutely nothing else works. All LED's on the EHC were lit.
2. Used hair dryer to blow warm air onto the EHC for 2 minutes. Turned key, and EVERYTHING (TACH, HEADLIGHT, ETC.) LIT UP AS NORMAL!!! No emergency flashers this time.

This test tells me the EHC assembly is temperature sensitive. Either the EHC electronics or the pin connectors are affected by temperature.

I'll perform the same test tomorrow AM to confirm. Next step will be to disconnect, inspect, dielectric grease the pin connectors. (I've inspected these before and they looked clean and well greased.)

ANYONE GOT ANY ADDITIONAL TESTS, CHECKS, OR RECOMMENDATIONS?

 

[mezyk]

anyone know

I have a 2007 billdog efi same problem as you.Put in a wires plus runs great.

 

[stlmikie]

I would do a wiggle test. Before you heat it. Or after it cools and is not functioning. Grab the plugs and wiggle them while trying to start it. When the pins heat and cool (or even the crimps) they expand and shrink. Maybe just enough to not make contact if it is poor to begin with. I guess the other way would be to bring the ehc inside at night keeping it warm and plug it in in the morning and that would keep the test exclusively to the ehc.

 

[Whistler]

THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES!

I've performed several more tests - all with the same results, temperature below 50F only emergency flashers, well above 50+F and the bike starts like normal. I still doubt the problem is in the EHC internal electronics and will further investigate mechanical/thermal expansion, etc. at connectors.

I will post a description and photos of any solution I find. Thanks again.