Not the EHC, some people won't listen

[Mr. Wright]

I'm not going to name names, cause he does get on here now and then. This is a problem that has been going on for a couple years. A guy came to me and said his EHC was bad. The bike died and won't start. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't start. He had a new ignition module put in several months before, and it had power in and out, and all the connections were good. No fault codes on the EHC, and every time we went to mess with it, I couldn't find anything wrong. It would fire up and and he wouldn't have any problems for a couple months. He was convinced it was the EHC, so I found a used one, and had it checked, put it in and it ran for almost a year. Same problem came back, and he started pointing his finger at the EHC. I said no, it's got to be a bad connection somewhere, but the customer is always right, so I got him one of the Axle units. The bike fired right up. A couple weeks ago I was following him, and the bike back fired and died. We pulled over, and he said this is what it's been doing. I shoved down on the wiring for the ignition module and it fired right back up. I said you have a broke wire in there some where, bring it over and lets look it over really good. He rode it for 2 weeks before coming over, and said it hasn't had a problem, but I tore all the wire connectors apart and checked all the wires again. Found nothing. He calls me from along side the road, 1/2 mile from his house. I told him to wiggle the wires around and try it. It fired right up. So this afternoon I went over to his house and started peeling heat shrink back.

The shop that installed the ignition module, didn't solder the wires. He just put them together and put heat shrink on them. All 8 wires. This is a well known shop in the St. Louis area, the guys initials are D.A. I'll leave it at that.
If anybody is interested in a good used stock EHC, I have a couple of them that are still good.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

I'm not going to name names, cause he does get on here now and then. This is a problem that has been going on for a couple years. A guy came to me and said his EHC was bad. The bike died and won't start. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't start. He had a new ignition module put in several months before, and it had power in and out, and all the connections were good. No fault codes on the EHC, and every time we went to mess with it, I couldn't find anything wrong. It would fire up and and he wouldn't have any problems for a couple months. He was convinced it was the EHC, so I found a used one, and had it checked, put it in and it ran for almost a year. Same problem came back, and he started pointing his finger at the EHC. I said no, it's got to be a bad connection somewhere, but the customer is always right, so I got him one of the Axle units. The bike fired right up. A couple weeks ago I was following him, and the bike back fired and died. We pulled over, and he said this is what it's been doing. I shoved down on the wiring for the ignition module and it fired right back up. I said you have a broke wire in there some where, bring it over and lets look it over really good. He rode it for 2 weeks before coming over, and said it hasn't had a problem, but I tore all the wire connectors apart and checked all the wires again. Found nothing. He calls me from along side the road, 1/2 mile from his house. I told him to wiggle the wires around and try it. It fired right up. So this afternoon I went over to his house and started peeling heat shrink back.
View attachment 59105
The shop that installed the ignition module, didn't solder the wires. He just put them together and put heat shrink on them. All 8 wires. This is a well known shop in the St. Louis area, the guys initials are D.A. I'll leave it at that.
If anybody is interested in a good used stock EHC, I have a couple of them that are still good.

Damn! Mistakes happen but that one is a bit hard.

Hopefully this straightens him out going forward!

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[pauldeepsea]

I'm not going to name names, cause he does get on here now and then. This is a problem that has been going on for a couple years. A guy came to me and said his EHC was bad. The bike died and won't start. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't start. He had a new ignition module put in several months before, and it had power in and out, and all the connections were good. No fault codes on the EHC, and every time we went to mess with it, I couldn't find anything wrong. It would fire up and and he wouldn't have any problems for a couple months. He was convinced it was the EHC, so I found a used one, and had it checked, put it in and it ran for almost a year. Same problem came back, and he started pointing his finger at the EHC. I said no, it's got to be a bad connection somewhere, but the customer is always right, so I got him one of the Axle units. The bike fired right up. A couple weeks ago I was following him, and the bike back fired and died. We pulled over, and he said this is what it's been doing. I shoved down on the wiring for the ignition module and it fired right back up. I said you have a broke wire in there some where, bring it over and lets look it over really good. He rode it for 2 weeks before coming over, and said it hasn't had a problem, but I tore all the wire connectors apart and checked all the wires again. Found nothing. He calls me from along side the road, 1/2 mile from his house. I told him to wiggle the wires around and try it. It fired right up. So this afternoon I went over to his house and started peeling heat shrink back.
View attachment 59105
The shop that installed the ignition module, didn't solder the wires. He just put them together and put heat shrink on them. All 8 wires. This is a well known shop in the St. Louis area, the guys initials are D.A. I'll leave it at that.
If anybody is interested in a good used stock EHC, I have a couple of them that are still good.

The ehc is too ea

I'm not going to name names, cause he does get on here now and then. This is a problem that has been going on for a couple years. A guy came to me and said his EHC was bad. The bike died and won't start. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't start. He had a new ignition module put in several months before, and it had power in and out, and all the connections were good. No fault codes on the EHC, and every time we went to mess with it, I couldn't find anything wrong. It would fire up and and he wouldn't have any problems for a couple months. He was convinced it was the EHC, so I found a used one, and had it checked, put it in and it ran for almost a year. Same problem came back, and he started pointing his finger at the EHC. I said no, it's got to be a bad connection somewhere, but the customer is always right, so I got him one of the Axle units. The bike fired right up. A couple weeks ago I was following him, and the bike back fired and died. We pulled over, and he said this is what it's been doing. I shoved down on the wiring for the ignition module and it fired right back up. I said you have a broke wire in there some where, bring it over and lets look it over really good. He rode it for 2 weeks before coming over, and said it hasn't had a problem, but I tore all the wire connectors apart and checked all the wires again. Found nothing. He calls me from along side the road, 1/2 mile from his house. I told him to wiggle the wires around and try it. It fired right up. So this afternoon I went over to his house and started peeling heat shrink back.
View attachment 59105
The shop that installed the ignition module, didn't solder the wires. He just put them together and put heat shrink on them. All 8 wires. This is a well known shop in the St. Louis area, the guys initials are D.A. I'll leave it at that.
If anybody is interested in a good used stock EHC, I have a couple of them that are still good.

the ehc is too easy to blame not saying that they don’t have their issues. But its usually something else causing the issues.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

My understanding is BD, at one point late in the game, had an outside organization do a study of the warranty recalls for EHCs. This company found that over eighty percent of the EHCs sent back due to so called warranty issues were in fact operational.
I have on going extensive experience with the OEM EHCs and the Electronik EHC as well as some experience with the Thunderheart module. I battle with folks on a regular basis that want to blame their issue on the EHC. Yes, the BD OEM EHCs have a considerable number of poorly designed systems in them, in terms of what should be on a motorcycle, and it has led to numerous issues for allot of folks. However, a lack of desire, ability etc to troubleshoot the bike correctly is what has led to majority of most folks issues.

 

[JoeHawkins]

My understanding is BD, at one point late in the game, had an outside organization do a study of the warranty recalls for EHCs. This company found that over eighty percent of the EHCs sent back due to so called warranty issues were in fact operational.
I have on going extensive experience with the OEM EHCs and the Electronik EHC as well as some experience with the Thunderheart module. I battle with folks on a regular basis that want to blame their issue on the EHC. Yes, the BD OEM EHCs have a considerable number of poorly designed systems in them, in terms of what should be on a motorcycle, and it has led to numerous issues for allot of folks. However, a lack of desire, ability etc to troubleshoot the bike correctly is what hals led to majority of most folks issues.

The best mechanics would be nothing without trouble shooting skills.

 

[KnotSo]

I'm not going to name names, cause he does get on here now and then. This is a problem that has been going on for a couple years. A guy came to me and said his EHC was bad. The bike died and won't start. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't start. He had a new ignition module put in several months before, and it had power in and out, and all the connections were good. No fault codes on the EHC, and every time we went to mess with it, I couldn't find anything wrong. It would fire up and and he wouldn't have any problems for a couple months. He was convinced it was the EHC, so I found a used one, and had it checked, put it in and it ran for almost a year. Same problem came back, and he started pointing his finger at the EHC. I said no, it's got to be a bad connection somewhere, but the customer is always right, so I got him one of the Axle units. The bike fired right up. A couple weeks ago I was following him, and the bike back fired and died. We pulled over, and he said this is what it's been doing. I shoved down on the wiring for the ignition module and it fired right back up. I said you have a broke wire in there some where, bring it over and lets look it over really good. He rode it for 2 weeks before coming over, and said it hasn't had a problem, but I tore all the wire connectors apart and checked all the wires again. Found nothing. He calls me from along side the road, 1/2 mile from his house. I told him to wiggle the wires around and try it. It fired right up. So this afternoon I went over to his house and started peeling heat shrink back.
View attachment 59105
The shop that installed the ignition module, didn't solder the wires. He just put them together and put heat shrink on them. All 8 wires. This is a well known shop in the St. Louis area, the guys initials are D.A. I'll leave it at that.
If anybody is interested in a good used stock EHC, I have a couple of them that are still good.

Bet this person and many more will take notice now.
13 years with my Mastiff and still no real issues and still find myself reading a post and looking at my ride to see if I can catch a potential issue before it becomes a problem. Thanks to all who post and help those of us less mechanically inclined.
Job well done!

 

[francoblay1]

Bet this person and many more will take notice now.
13 years with my Mastiff and still no real issues and still find myself reading a post and looking at my ride to see if I can catch a potential issue before it becomes a problem. Thanks to all who post and help those of us less mechanically inclined.
Job well done!

My 06 K9 is still running on its original EHC.

 

[FrankBDPS]

Why would some one do such poor work on a motorcycle? Actually most shops don't want to see these bikes because of their reputation with electrical issues. It becomes a problem with owners who want a great motorcycle but don't have the ability to do their own work. It is also part of the reason the values have fallen so bad.

 

[bdm7250]

Why would some one do such poor work on a motorcycle? Actually most shops don't want to see these bikes because of their reputation with electrical issues. It becomes a problem with owners who want a great motorcycle but don't have the ability to do their own work. It is also part of the reason the values have fallen so bad.

Unfortunately nowadays poor workmanship is far more prevalent, the demand for skilled labor far exceeds the numbers qualified or even interested.. Our company has felt the effects of the dwindling numbers of skilled tradesman for years now...and its only getting worse.

 

[Reddickracing]

Well I hate to brag on it cause it mite fail now but 06 K9 original ehc

 

[Ernie12]

I have a Thunderheart in my 02 Pro Sport and I was talking to a mechanic about some other things on my bike and the first thing he said was you know those Big Dogs have a lot of electrical problems. I also talked to some other mechanics and there seems to be a real attitude against BD. Since I am new to BD I cannot understand this. Are some motorcycle businesses so swamped they turn away work and money?

 

[FrankBDPS]

Ernie, I do most of my own work but if I took my bike to a shop and he didn't want to work on it because of the brand I would rather have him tell me that than fuck my bike all up.

The wiring on you're bike is pretty much old school with the Thunder Heart controller. They used to have a schematic on their website.

 

[Ernie12]

Ernie, I do most of my own work but if I took my bike to a shop and he didn't want to work on it because of the brand I would rather have him tell me that than fuck my bike all up.

Yea I agree Frank

 

[BigDogRick]

Yea I agree Frank

Ernie, that Thunderheart module is bullet-proof. Mine survived three coils and two voltage regulators and two stators and a basket full of poorly wired replacements and on-the-road shorts (a couple with some pretty spectacular fireworks). I just replaced mine after 18 years and over 80,000 miles and I am not really sure it was necessary. It just was a casualty of an entire old school re-wire that I deemed essential to another 50k or so miles of cross country rides before I retire the beast. Your bike is not dissimilar to a whole bevy of late 90's and early 2000s customs that nearly every custom shop was putting out. Look those guys in the eye and tell 'em so. If they still him 'n haw go to the next guy. Find an old school mechanic that looks over your bike and says (I quote here at least ten mechanics in my 18 years of planned and un-planned maintenance) " you got a lotta good stuff here". If they can't look at your bike with instant familiarity, don't let 'em touch it.

 

[BigDogRick]

Shannon, stand your ground.

 

[pauldeepsea]

I have a Thunderheart in my 02 Pro Sport and I was talking to a mechanic about some other things on my bike and the first thing he said was you know those Big Dogs have a lot of electrical problems. I also talked to some other mechanics and there seems to be a real attitude against BD. Since I am new to BD I cannot understand this. Are some motorcycle businesses so swamped they turn away work and money?

I would say more than likely it’s because they don’t understand the ehc and it makes it harder to trouble shoot, it not the standard. In my case I had to learn by reading and failing on my own and it’s helped me to understand and know my bikes. I have learned to pay close attention and take things slow to make sure I am doing it right the first time. Big dogs are good bikes and I would rather own one of these machines than a standard cookie cutter bike that everyone else has.. just my two cents



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[mjsk9]

The ehc is too ea

the ehc is too easy to blame not saying that they don’t have their issues. But its usually something else causing the issues.

I agree... I wonder how many replace due to "perceived reputation"? When the EHC issue was identified by Big Dog, they sent out a recall so I assume many that have purchased a "used" BD, really don't know if their dog had the recall taken care of?

 

[bdm7250]

I agree... I wonder how many replace due to "perceived reputation"? When the EHC issue was identified by Big Dog, they sent out a recall so I assume many that have purchased a "used" BD, really don't know if their dog had the recall taken care of?
View attachment 59124

I replaced my PDM with the fantastic unmentionable module, there was nothing wrong with the PDM other than the fact it looked horrible, damn rats nest of wires which drove me batty every time I took the side cover off. I replaced it because of the cleaner look as well as knowing I would be trouble free from then on..

 

[liferider]

Ernie, that Thunderheart module is bullet-proof. Mine survived three coils and two voltage regulators and two stators and a basket full of poorly wired replacements and on-the-road shorts (a couple with some pretty spectacular fireworks). I just replaced mine after 18 years and over 80,000 miles and I am not really sure it was necessary. It just was a casualty of an entire old school re-wire that I deemed essential to another 50k or so miles of cross country rides before I retire the beast. Your bike is not dissimilar to a whole bevy of late 90's and early 2000s customs that nearly every custom shop was putting out. Look those guys in the eye and tell 'em so. If they still him 'n haw go to the next guy. Find an old school mechanic that looks over your bike and says (I quote here at least ten mechanics in my 18 years of planned and un-planned maintenance) " you got a lotta good stuff here". If they can't look at your bike with instant familiarity, don't let 'em touch it.

Rick is correct, I will never understand why Bigdog walked away from Thunderheart. These units are fantastic! On my 03 Chopper I finally had to replace mine 3 yrs ago.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I replaced my PDM with the fantastic unmentionable module, there was nothing wrong with the PDM other than the fact it looked horrible, damn rats nest of wires which drove me batty every time I took the side cover off. I replaced it because of the cleaner look as well as knowing I would be trouble free from then on..

I still have the PDM and your right, its a rats nest....but for now its still working