Battery problems...??

[bullydog]

I have an 07 bulldog that I'm having issues with. I stored it all winter with a battery tender but unhooked it a few weeks ago. I haven't ridden because the weather didn't cooperate or I was too busy. At any rate, when I go to turn the key on my headlight does not light up nor does my speedo light up. If I leave the key on for about 5 seconds the emergency flashers come on and that's all I get... Do I have a weak battery? I had this happen the first time I put the charger back on it and after 12 hours I tried again and it worked. The other day I tried it and again had the flashing emergency light thing going on but I fiddled with the key a couple times and then it started working...?? Is it just a weak battery or do I have other issues... Any help would be appreciated.

 

[woodbutcher]

simply put, when you are not on the big dog, the tender should be. unless you have a top notch battery in top notch condition, it will quickly run down to a point to where the bike will not start if left off the tender for long or ridden daily for 20+ miles at a time.

but in the meantime, go through all the connections, negative and positive, and make sure they are clean and tight.

 

[bullydog]

Ok, thanks. I did tighten the posts on the battery. They were a little loose but no fire yet. I'll let her charge over night too. I'll check other connections as well.

 

[Iman]

How old is the battery??? I would change it if its over 2 years old and your having these problems

 

[bullydog]

Not really sure...I bought the bike last spring and it showed up with a dead battery. (I'm in SD it came from NC) I asked the previous owner if the battery had ever been changed and he said it was new..... He may have been blowing smoke up my bass just to shut me up but I put a tender on it and away I went. I looked for a sticker but no such luck.

 

[bullydog]

I'm beginning to think my problem is a little bit deeper than a battery. Has anyone had these symptoms? Is it possible my switch is bad? I've put a charge to the bike but it's still not responding. (other than the flashing blinkers) I wouldn't think it would take that much juice to light up the speedo...??

 

[Dawgboy]

Why guess? Pull the battery. Put it on charger then have it load tested. Replace if bad.

 

[woodbutcher]

I'm beginning to think my problem is a little bit deeper than a battery. Has anyone had these symptoms? Is it possible my switch is bad? I've put a charge to the bike but it's still not responding. (other than the flashing blinkers) I wouldn't think it would take that much juice to light up the speedo...??

remember, what you are using is a tender, not a charger. it doesn't give a deep cycle charge. you may have a bad cell in the battery also.

 

[CHOPTOP45]

x2 what he said.

 

[bullydog]

good point. I'm pulling the battery today. The strange thing about all this (at least to me) is that I can randomly go over to the bike and it will work. Turn the key and headlight and speedo light up. Next time I go to it there's nothing.... ?? I will start with testing the battery though.