New ECU question.. on an 03 Pitbull

[Serenity Now]

So I just sold my Pitbull. Never given me any trouble at all. I've owned 10+ Harleys and 6 Big Dogs (still own 2) and no major problems with any of my Dogs.

Of course the very next day after I sell my Pitbull (2003 with 9k miles, OEM everything except clutch, mild cam, and some bolt-on parts) the guy who bought it tells me after an all-day ride including several starts and stops that later that night the bike won't start and just clicks. I'm thinking run-down battery or possibly bad connection/ground which has happened on another bike I had. Later the next day he takes it to a shop and they say it needs to be re-wired and will cost $1000. Said that the headlight will not cut on anymore either. Is it possible the ECU got fried? I thought only 05 and newer models had some issues with ECU's? Again, the bike never gave me any inclination teh ECU was going to go bad, lights and signals always worked and no battery drain or anything like that. Could the shop be trying to screw him over and the battery is just dead? Of course if headlight and signals no longer work that sounds like more than the battery. I feel bad for the guy but I find it hard to believe it goes bad the day after I sell it. Could he have doen something to fry it with multiple starts/stops?

Any input feel free to post...

 

[JWScarab]

I'm no expert but the fact that is "clicks" screams low battery or loose/dirty battery connection or both. If I were him I would 1) remove battery 2) charge battery 3) clean up the terminals and cables 4) reinstall and snug terminals.

Next hit the start button! I'd almost bet it would be fixed.

btw - on the day I bought my 03 and at the dudes house the brake lights worked (I saw em). I drove it home 150 miles and the bike started cutting in/out, popping etc, then dead on the side of road, no headlight either. I removed seat, tightened up battery, it started up and I finished the trip home! BUT, all that popping and riding with the loose connection fried my EHC and my brake lights would no longer work. That was my day 1 experience!! It was my fault for not checking the connections (and oil and tire pressure etc) before riding home! My rear tire had 9psi when I got home and it looked low - I almost shit.

Curtis has an 03 EHC kit he sold me, now I'm riding with functioning brake lights again!!

 

[Serenity Now]

He just told me that the red light on the EHC would no longer light up which is why the shop said it was the EHC and not the battery.

 

[JWScarab]

Man that's a tough one because you could have a bunch of idiots looking at it. Who knows if these guys are honest and competent. The "clicking" still screams battery/connections in my mind.

But at this point what can you do? The shop is going to steer the guy they way they want to. He is emotional. He bought it used. He shouldn't be calling you. You are being nice tho by helping him. And like you said - who knows what he did when riding it (like I did). If you want to sleep better, kick him back a hundred or two but be done with it because you were honest.

But to go straight from undiagnosed problem to rewire is a HUGE jump - I think they are wanting a rewire job or they are uneducated.

Also, I almost bought my old chopper (I'm on my 2nd) back from the guy I sold it to. He had it "rewired" by a "bike shop" and it was butchered! I didn't buy it.

Not that I am against a rewire, its old school and eliminates the EHC which I can really understand why peeps do it. But I think a $1000 rewire is a choice, not a necessity.

Curtis (KaptinAmerika - WildSteedWorx) 03 EHC kit is nice, ez to install, economical, and no rewire. PM him.

Again - only my opinion!! I'm no wiring BDM expert, just a rookie!

 

[KaptinAmerika]

There are no lights on an 03 EHC
There is a light on the ignition module and there are lights on the start module but not on the EHC.

 

[Sven]

Fuses? Burned relay?

Shit happens and not your fault it took a shit. You did not design it, build it, drilled it, tell him to go take a hike...LOL. Should you buy him an EHC insurance policy? Give me a break.

I sold him a fridge. Next week he comes back says the turkey is no longer frozen and the beer tastes like it came from a british pub. Get the hell outta here! Did you wire up the pump and jam the fee yawn in the fridge tubes?

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Starter click, click is either:

1- bad Ground

2- Bad 12v connection

3- Bad starter relay (although doubtful if it's clicking)

4- weak battery

Another shop that wants to make $$ over the customers needs...

The bike started and ran fine when he bought it so I wouldn't feel too bad about it. I'd tell him what you saw on this thread and if he is close go over and help him out. Good luck.

 

[FrankBDPS]

Seems like every time someone takes a big dog to a shop the first thing the shop wants to do is rip the wiring out of it and convert it to something they don't know shit about any how. That's the first thing they think here comes another one of those bikes we can overcharge a guy to rewire. Get a truck,trailer or a helicopter and get it out of there before they trash it.

 

[bearman]

There is the possibility that the new owner tried to jump the bike off, or the shop did, and messed up the EHC. That would be the new owner’s problem.

Now if you feel bad you could replace the voltage regulator for him, or the fuse/circuit breaker that left his scoot dead in the first place.