My O3 Dog is Dead - HELP

[Cobrafast1]

Hi Guys,

It's been about 2-3 weeks since I rode my bike, so I trickle charged the battery as usual yesterday. Today, I went out to start the bike and it died on me. Here's the rundown. I turned on the gas. I turned on the key and the speedo lit up as usual and the bike was in neutral (light on). I hit the starter and it started to turn over about 3-4 times and then nothing. Died.

All llights are dead out. I turn on the key and there are not lights anywhere. I pulled the seat and the leds on the modules are off when the ignition is on.

I checked the battery voltage. With the ignition off, it's between 12-13 volts DC. When I turn the ignition on, it drops to about 4 volts. And that's without the starter button pushed. The entire electrical system is being loaded down by something. If it went to ground, I'd expect zero volts and I'd smell something.

Does anybody have any ideas what might be wrong and how to solve this?

I need help. Thanks.

 

[Finn]

Keep it simple. Borrow a known good battery and throw it in.

 

[Bmarchant]

When this happened to me, the battery terminals were loose. I have to check them once a week. I actually melted one battery because of a loose terminal. I agree with Finn, borrow a known good battery and try it first.

 

[reloaderbmg]

Battery!!!!!!! check grounds on bike too!!!

 

[GDOG_PITBULL]

Check the multi pin cable and make sure it is seated properly in the ECU. Been dealing with that on my 04 lately.
G

 

[Cobrafast1]

Thanks guys, problem solved.

I disconnected the positive side terminals and jump started it with a car battery. That was the problem.

So, I went to the battery store and picked up a new battery. This one has 530 cold cranking amps rather than the 300 on the old XTREME battery that I had in there. The XTREME is extremely a pure piece of crap. I bought that battery last August and it's dead already. Not even one year. I could have gotten a small rebate for another one like it, but I opt'd for a smaller physical size battery with better cranking power. This one has a two year guarrantee on it too.

So, I'm back in busniess here and off for a ride.

Thanks to all of you that responded. You set me on the right track. Whewww, I thought my electronics ECU or some module bite the dust. I've never seen a battery go like that. Just snap and it's completely dead but still registers 12 volt. Yeah. 12 volts but only a few milliamps probably.

Thanks again. This is such a great Forum.

 

[LDO]

Cobra,
Glad to hear you got her up and running. Not too many problems with the older ECUs. Our batteries die quickly turning over our motors so if your bike doesn't start after the first few times due to inactivity, you are going to suck your battery dry!

Just your dog's way of telling you it needs more frequent 'walks'....

 

[Bmarchant]

Hey Cobrafast1,
Glad to hear thats all it was. I too, have an 03 chopper. So far, only issue I've had was like I said above, the battery terminals loosen up once a week. Other then that, the bike runs like a champ. Its odd how the battery can go from fine to DEAD! Guess its just part of owning bike like ours.

 

[woodbutcher]

Hey Cobrafast1,
Glad to hear thats all it was. I too, have an 03 chopper. So far, only issue I've had was like I said above, the battery terminals loosen up once a week. Other then that, the bike runs like a champ. Its odd how the battery can go from fine to DEAD! Guess its just part of owning bike like ours.

must be a star washer or something missing on your terminals, i've had mine for 2 1/2 yrs. and it has never come loose.

 

[Bmarchant]

Hi Woodbutcher,
Wow, figured it was just normal from the vibration......I'll give that a try. Thanks........

 

[Gas Man]

Cobra...You aren't keeping your bike on a tender are you?