ehc bad or can connections do it..09 big dog chopper

[hbevins]

sometimes dash dont even light up sometimes everything lights up but no crank no start sometimes everything works as it should. when dash dont lite up sometimes i can heat up the ehc and lights come on. sometimes even then it wont crank. placed wire to startter still wouldnt crank sound like bad starter. doing this after the 45 degree temp, messed with it two days ..took me all day on both days to get it startted. went out yesterday afternnon it was 85 outside and it startted like it should rode it for about 20 minutes no issues. battery is hot and checked for load, charges 13.5 ..i think after reading for 2 days the ehc is going out but i was wondering could it maybe be the connectors to it, ive cleanned it and installed electric grease but dont seem to help. i plan on just getting new one in week or so just hate to spend the money if its not the problem...i bought this bike few months ago..guy said it had 3100 miles on it..i think he just changed speedo..just to many issues for low milage bike. this form has been great helper for a dummy like me with the bike. im 62 never been a real bike guy had a few but never kept one long. had a k9 years ago decided i wantted another big dog chopper its not a k9 but its bdm chopper..told my stepson if i buy a bike its gotta be big dog chopper so here i am almost everday on this forum reading and looking for advise. thanks to this forum got my clutch issues figured out..took em out cleanned em with brake cleanner put em back in changed the primary oil to 20-50 non sny adjustted clutch and now i can even get neutral sittin still while running. learned how to adjust lifters, how to tell if oil pumps working..how to check stator how to get rid of belt drive squeak how to fix tacometer, i luv my chopper but she reminds me of exgirlfriend i had...sometimes its a lotta trouble but dang it sure is fun to ride

 

[SKOGDOG]

Hey there hbevins!! Nice lookin’ scooter you got there.
We sure like to see members learning how to keep their own dogs on the road!
You apparently know how to check the battery and related connections, which are often responsible for our troubles.
You can send your EHC to Curtis at Wildsteed Worx and he’ll test it for you and let you know. I had a 2010 Bulldog Bagger and it did the same thing. At around 45 degrees, it wouldn’t start—nothing. When warmed up, it ran like a champ. One time I used a motel hair dryer...... I knew it was only a matter of time before I‘d get stranded.
I replaced the Big Dog EHC with a D O C’s and had trouble free operation until I sold it. Many others here on the forum report being happy with Axel’s EHC too (Curtis sells them). I understand the AXEL unit is plug ‘n play too. Some guys wanting to save a few bucks look around for another ’original’ (OEM) EHC. But most feel a lot safer with the upgrade.

 

[hbevins]

thanks...im waitting on the funds think i will bypass having it checked, pretty sure its my issue. sucks when you want to ride hit the key n get nothing untill then guess its like gambling 50/ 50 chance it will start..lol then i can ride it but afraid to shut her off till i get back home ...but once home it starts back up ..i dont wanna hack up the wires so when i do get one i want a plug n play..i bought the 09 thinking the ehc problems were mostly on the earlier dogs and bdm had improved them on later models. bought my brother an 04 that already has the wire one kit on it..maybe i should have got myself one that already was done lol

 

[1 B.M.F.]

Wild steed worx will check it. If it’s bad there is no charge to check it if you buy axels EHC. I have 2 of axels. They are pretty cool you can set it up how you want it. Very very easy instal. Took me 15 minutes to get it hooked up and programmed.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

thanks...im waitting on the funds think i will bypass having it checked, pretty sure its my issue. sucks when you want to ride hit the key n get nothing untill then guess its like gambling 50/ 50 chance it will start..lol then i can ride it but afraid to shut her off till i get back home ...but once home it starts back up ..i dont wanna hack up the wires so when i do get one i want a plug n play..

I had the same problem with a cold or damp EHC. I did the same as Skogdog with a hair dryer. I would get compression release but no voltage to the starter. I don't remember which light on the EHC would come on but that would tell me I was ready to go and boom it would turn over. I did like yourself a didn't turn it off till I was back in my garage. I purchased an AXEL EHC from Wildsteedworx it was plug and play as advertised. Also no problems for several years now.
I would keep an eye on your VR output 13.5 is low and as you know by now low voltage and EHC are not a good match. My VR was putting out 13.9 before it went south. My new one is putting out 14.2 V. Battery Tender has a nice meter you can read while your riding around $15.

 

[hbevins]

thanks for the info,..i have not checked my voltage at a high rpm ..as i throttle up she goes up..put a new one on brothers bike last week, as we ride his shows 14.4 at around 70 mph..he has guage on his..i might look at mine tonight if it will start rev it up and see how high it goes but for now battery has never been low..looks fairly new but ive only had the bike a couple months, its one thing after another on this bike, i want to learn but damn a gap now and then would be nice, i did take it on a 200 mile trip one sunday afternoon with out any issues... was surprized i got 50 mpg running 70-75.. most my riding is just local, but i want to be able to ride it and feel like i can count on it to get back lolo

 

[Drdave427]

I had the same problem with a cold or damp EHC. I did the same as Skogdog with a hair dryer. I would get compression release but no voltage to the starter. I don't remember which light on the EHC would come on but that would tell me I was ready to go and boom it would turn over. I did like yourself a didn't turn it off till I was back in my garage. I purchased an AXEL EHC from Wildsteedworx it was plug and play as advertised. Also no problems for several years now.
I would keep an eye on your VR output 13.5 is low and as you know by now low voltage and EHC are not a good match. My VR was putting out 13.9 before it went south. My new one is putting out 14.2 V. Battery Tender has a nice meter you can read while your riding around $15.
View attachment 78284

Those are well worth the $15 - after Mike’s advice I have them on both bikes and do not worry about voltages - I can see what’s going on all the time - if I need to

 

[Mikeinjersey]

, i did take it on a 200 mile trip one sunday afternoon with out any issues... was surprized i got 50 mpg running 70-75..

Funny you should mention good mileage . I was out for a ride today and ran out of gas so I switched to reserve only to discover that it didn't work. Just glad I was with a riding buddy so it was not too much of an inconvenience. As they say "Live and Learn"
By the way, 50 MPG is awesome .

 

[hbevins]

i thought that was a bit much myself, but brother got about the same on his 04,..i doubled checked milage was 97.5 one way..i filled her up in cement oklahoma took 1.8 gallon...got home to ada filled her up again less than 2 gallon ..im always puttin gas in mine for that reason..dont wanna run out they say reserve dont go far anyhow..but yea riding with someone else is always best way to ride..reason i got my brother one