EHC -red lights all lit up

[gkruger]

Im a new 05' Ridgeback owner and just want confirmation that in fact my EHC is fried. I realize I could send it off to have it tested, but I think this one could be determined with some logic and a reaction or two from someone with a bit more knowledge than myself.

So I was riding down the highway, clicked my lights hi/lo, bike totally dies. Speedo is stuck at 55 mph. Had to push my bike two miles home. Smashed my shin in the process. Leg totally swollen. Cussed the whole way...

All the red lights on the EHC are lit up as well as the main power light. 18 light ehc...one of the 'newer' ones I think. Key switch is fine as I get juice both in and out. Also get juice to the coils when keyswitch is on. When I turn the key I dont hear the solenoid for the starter kick in but I have juice going to the solenoid. Also, I thought it could be a fried lightbulb. Rather than take the light out I just unhooked the harness to the light and figured if there was a dead short I would still get power to the rest of the bike by eliminating that circuit.

Any thoughts if it is in fact the EHC? I've already ordered a PDM kit, but have at least 3 more weeks to wait. The beautiful weather and no riding is killing me. Would a solenoid death on the highway cause a complete bike stall out? Thanks for any help to a guy who absolutely loves his bike.

 

[big dog jr]

I have a 06 k9 and had a issue this spring as well. Turn the key and all the lights would flash and nothing on the handle bar controls would work. I disconnected the battery and then after a few minutesre hooked it up and still had the same problem. So my next thing I tried was un hooking all the connections to the Ehc. Did that, waited a few minutes re hooked it up and everything worked as it should. 500 miles so far and no problems.

 

[07k9skull]

I have been having the same problem. The EHC gets cold and contracts than things start touching inside the EHC . Try warming the EHC up with a hair dryer and see if the lights go out. It does on mine. I'm going to replace mine with a pdm from big dog

 

[Nukeranger]

I think you made a smart move ordering the PDM. I would also send your EHC to Curtis to test it and keep it as a spare if it is good. I never figured my EHC problems out and gave it every chance possible before going with Wire Plus. My EHC was tested sat but I have to believe it is too sensitive to High/Low voltage, small grounds, etc. The ignition switch turns on the EHC by grounding it so good connections (under the tank, under the ignition cover, and good key switch) are important. Disconnecting, cleaning your EHC connectors and adding dialetric grease is also sometimes a solution. If your bike just shuts down when running, the previous items could be the issue. I checked mine 7 ways to Sunday and determined it was ok after soldering the connections under the tank, replacing the JST connector, and testing the ignition switch. With WP-374 installed, I have the same ignition switch and no problems. You can search the forums for other's experience. Here are some of mine:

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/help-wanted/41452-ehc-lost-its-memory-one-morning.html
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/help-wanted/44024-ehc-may-have-died.html

Good luck with your adventure and may your Dog run strong and reliable soon,

Huw

 

[gkruger]

Thanks for the advice Nuke and for the links. At this point is seems to me that the amount of time I spent (and it looks like you spent) could just be better dedicated toward installing a better system. It's really too bad because I like the idea of the computer chip in the bike. Kinda a neat idea... I'm sure my dog will be up and running strong soon but just so bummed out about it waiting around. Once I get the EHC out I will send it to Curtis...my bet is that it is probably just fine. I think in the meanwhile I'll get the tank off in prep for the PDM and really go over those connections. Looks like you had some loose wire(s) under there at one point.

 

[Nukeranger]

I may have had a bad connection in the beginning but in the end I couldn't reproduce the symptoms and with the bike sitting in a climate controlled garage and random failures I just had to move on to WP that I purchased a year before as a backup.

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

From what u said this happened when u punched the hi beam,take your bucket apart,and check your plug,if there was any melting on the plug or wires,that would Cuz your EHC to shut down!!doesnt mean the EHC is fried,good luck.