no power to starter

crazyjoe

Member
When I tried to start bike (04 pitbull) today starter button did nothing. I have never had any trouble with this bike. All the lights, horn, and signals work fine. However the light on the thunderheart ignition module under seat is not on. Could this be the problem or is it the ehc? Thanks, Joe
 

mobsta

Well-Known Member
hey crazy joe,i have an 04 mastiff with the thunderheart.the light doesnt come on until the run button is pressed.
 

V

Guru
Still possible for bat to have 12 volts but lost is amps. Might want to do a load check on the bat. How old is the battery and do you keep it on a battery tender? :hi:
 

crazyjoe

Member
It is last years battery and i keep it on a tender. The lights are bright and horn is loud. I rode it 90 miles one day last week with no probs. When i press start button I don't get a click or anything that suggests that power is getting through to the starter.
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Check for 12 volts on the little wire to the top of the starter when you hit the run.

If that is still there... then do a search on "click click click" You'll find a thread by BBCHopper on how to clean your solenoid. Do that and report back.
 
Joe,
When you say there's nothing at the starter wire. Which one? Battery Connection or Trigger wire going to solenoid? If trigger wire, no voltage when? Turned off, or when turned on and while start button is depressed?
 

avdhunter

Active Member
Sorry I just have to ask .... you are pressing the run button first aren't you???? And if so then at that point no lights on the ignition? What about lights on the EHC?
 

crazyjoe

Member
I just ran a jumper wire from battery to starter and it spins fine. I am thinking ehc unless there is a starter relay somewhere. Could the run button keep power from getting to starter?
 

avdhunter

Active Member
Joe: unless you answer the questions that these guys are asking you..... there is no way they can help you troubleshoot your problem!!! just sayin....
 

crazyjoe

Member
I checked for voltage on the wire coming from the ehc to the starter with the key on and run button on. The battery is at 12.74 now on tender. Thanks
 

crazyjoe

Member
I tried to start it with jumper wire but it will not fire. The light on the thunderheart ignition never comes on and i dont even see lights on the ehc
 
So I guess what you're telling us is that the entire electrical system on your dog is not operating? No lights, horn, nothing, correct?
Sorry but I don't remember what year dog you have. But if you have the main reset button, have you checked it for being tripped? or tried to reset it?

Sometimes on the BDMs, if you try and start them when the batteries get low, the current "inrush" can sometimes exceed the rating for the main breaker and cause them to trip.

Low batteries on Dogs can cause "A LOT" of unusual problems!
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Which EHC do you have? Take a pic if you have to.

What lights do you have on the EHC as you go thru the start up sequence?

When you say "it spins good" do you mean the motor or just the starter?

If the motor is spinning, when it is, do you see any lights flashing on the ignition (I think the 04 still has lights on it)? It should be a silver box small than some smokes with a lightening bolt thru a heart.
 

crazyjoe

Member
Turn key on all the lights horn and signals work. Press run switch then start button and get nothing. I checked voltage on wire from ehc to starter, no power. I ran a jumper wire to starter. It would turn the motor normally but it would not fire. The light on the thunderheart module doesn't come on. The ehc is BDM 4030-04. It is black and I don't see lights on it. I am heading to the beach until thursday. I appreciate this site and everyone that offers help!
 
Joe,
As one last option before calling the EHC quits and replacing it. Disconnect the Battery, fully charge it, take it and get it load tested. Also, carefully remove "D" connectors on EHC add Dielectric Grease to the contacts of the connectors and carefully re connect "D" connectors being careful not to "over tighten" fasteners holding "D" connectors in place.
If the above all goes well and checks out good, and nothing still works with the starter and ignition. I'd say either the problem lies in the hand control switches PCB in the handle bar, or possibly the wiring & "JST" connectors going to the switches. While inspecting, I would add "Dielectric Grease" to the "JST" connectors as well.
After all that checks out OK, and still nothing, then I would suspect the EHC has failed.
The only option then is to replace the EHC, or as I recommend, upgrading to the Wire-Plus System.
Just my thoughts here!

ENJOY THE BEACH!
 

crazyjoe

Member
I took the hand control apart everything looked ok and intact but how would you know if the run switch was bad? I took the battery out, cleaned all connections, and checked for bare wires. I also unplugged the ehc looking for corrosion or a bad connection. I am hoping its not the ehc since there is not a prob with lights, horn, or speedo. Anyone have a pcb board for hand controls for 2004 BD?
 
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