Hello to all, I have been going through a bunch of the threads in the Archive here, and there seems to be alot good information exchanged. I have tried several time to join, but I kept having technical issues, but I finnaly got it done. Just in time too, because my 04' Ridgeback just took a turn for the worst. First let me mention that I have done as much research as I could before posting this. I have had the headlight issues that others here have had. I did the quick fix method and hard wired it to the battery. I also had the horn just stop working about two years ago. These were minor issues that did not affect my everyday riding. About two weeks ago my speed ometer and odometer starting acting up, and the tachometer doesn't work every now and then. Once again, not affecting my short ride to work. Well friday I had a dead battery, so I pulled it out put a full charge on it, and put it back in the bike, and here we go. First thing when I hooked the cables to the battery the horn started going off(first time in two years), and the motor started turning over, keep in mind the key was not even in the bike. So I disconnected the battery, and took a closer look at everything, It apears that my positive terminal made contact with the frame where the ground connects. So I moved the battery, and attempted to reconnect the battery, now when I turn the key on the starter attempts to engauge, but just grinds. I pulled the green wire going into the starter to keep it from grinding, and now my lights come on (not the head light), but none of my hand controlls are working, and when I tap the brakes the taillights do not get any brighter. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this novel, and how bad is my situation. Where do I begin???
Something has gone very wrong
- Thread starter Dirk
- Start date
bdmridgeback
Low Down Chop Shop
Sounds like the EHC has headed south for a final retirement!!
If funds are not too much of an issue, I would not spend the $400-$500 for a new EHC. I would take the time and eliminate it and rewire the bike. It would increase the reliability of the bike to almost 100%. That is my take on it and what I would do.
If funds are not too much of an issue, I would not spend the $400-$500 for a new EHC. I would take the time and eliminate it and rewire the bike. It would increase the reliability of the bike to almost 100%. That is my take on it and what I would do.
Welcome to the site Dirk. :2thumbs:
As for your bike sure sounds like you may have killed your EHC. This is unfortunate as the 04 EHC's seem to be in demand now or at least the new modified on with the new daughterboard on it.
Normally when all your lights start flashing and doing crazy things it's due to a week battery. Do you keep your bike on a "Battery Tender"? According to the manual our bikes can lose 2% a day.
Before going any further I would go over all the connections and make sure they are tight. Ensure you got all the wires connected to the battery (you may have missed a smaller one). I would also pull the EHC harness and ensure it's filled with die-electric grease ensuring a tight sealed connection.
If all else fails then you may have to get a new EHC (could be the reason your horn hasn't worked).
Good luck and keep up posted on the details.
Later,
Ray
As for your bike sure sounds like you may have killed your EHC. This is unfortunate as the 04 EHC's seem to be in demand now or at least the new modified on with the new daughterboard on it.
Normally when all your lights start flashing and doing crazy things it's due to a week battery. Do you keep your bike on a "Battery Tender"? According to the manual our bikes can lose 2% a day.
Before going any further I would go over all the connections and make sure they are tight. Ensure you got all the wires connected to the battery (you may have missed a smaller one). I would also pull the EHC harness and ensure it's filled with die-electric grease ensuring a tight sealed connection.
If all else fails then you may have to get a new EHC (could be the reason your horn hasn't worked).
Good luck and keep up posted on the details.
Later,
Ray
Yes I do keep all my bikes on a battery tender when not being ridden. How can I be sure that replacing the EHC will fix my problem, because I have really no way to test it. If this is the only issue, I'll order a new one and be back on the road in no time flat. my concern is that something else was damaged when the ground wires had power flowing through them. Also when the starter engauged with the key not being on, is it possible it was spinning the wrong direction, since the current was reversed? I wonder this, because now when the starter trys to engauge as soon as the key is turned on, it just makes a terrible grinding sound.
dogvet
Banned
I'm on it, just doing a bit of research before I put my foot in my mouth!
Stay tuned........:2thumbs:
don't bend your leg too far, you'll hurt your back. :lol:
I read another thread on hear about re-wiring the whole bike, and that is a thought of mine, but it just seems like a lot more money, and a whole lot more down time. There also wasn't a whole lot of specific details as far as what all needed to be replaced, as well as suitable replacement parts. For now I think I need to find out what all I f**k'd up, fix it, then worry about improvements. I will also be putting the heat shrink and die-electric grease on all my connections once she is up and running again.
lee
Well-Known Member
yeah a few of us are doing the rewire thing now - seems to be the way to go and it doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think. A harness from wireplus will cost around $400 and you will be able to keep most of the BDM stuff with that but you will need to hook up new switches to the hand controls.
BDK9
Member
This may or not be your problem, but on my '04 Chopper whenever the connections in the right hand controls got wet from rain, washing etc. the starter would start cranking all by itself. I could turn it off and then on again and it would immediately start cranking. Just a thought.....
I couldn't remember the last time she got wet, but I will definately check out the connections as well as the switches for an evidence of moisture. This started happening last Friday, it does the same thing every time I turn the key on. She does have a nice cozy parking space in the garage (weather my wife likes it or not) so she doesn't get wet very often.
Dirk... oh yeah... check your hand controls... you probably don't have the newer style... with the old style this was a well known problem. Further, if you have the old style I'm betting if you ask nicely to BDM, they may warrenty them due to being a commonly known problem.
Newer style has the front of the buttons in a jelly type covering over the board
Newer style has the front of the buttons in a jelly type covering over the board
narow37
Angry Southern White Man
Fibersnake
Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Welcome Dirk, sorry to hear of the problems but do not throw in the tire yet. Many good bits of advise here and I am sure you will get it back up and running in no time.
GasMan and others gave some good adivce about starting with the elimination. On the starter trying to crank over when the key is turned on, would first take the right control board out of the loop, then see if it tries. If not good chance it is that control, if it still does.
Also a good Multimeter if you do not have one and start checking the wires from point to see if you have good continuity, no shorts or grounds (unless it is a ground). Make sure you disconnect battery while tracing testing the wires.
Work your way from there. Try to eleiminate all possibility before just plunking the money down on a new EHC unless you are sure it is screwed up. Also make sure you battery is fully charged and has good cells.
Maybe some one on here has a schematic of the 04 if you do not have the manual. It will come in real handy to understand what is what and how it all works.
GasMan and others gave some good adivce about starting with the elimination. On the starter trying to crank over when the key is turned on, would first take the right control board out of the loop, then see if it tries. If not good chance it is that control, if it still does.
Also a good Multimeter if you do not have one and start checking the wires from point to see if you have good continuity, no shorts or grounds (unless it is a ground). Make sure you disconnect battery while tracing testing the wires.
Work your way from there. Try to eleiminate all possibility before just plunking the money down on a new EHC unless you are sure it is screwed up. Also make sure you battery is fully charged and has good cells.
Maybe some one on here has a schematic of the 04 if you do not have the manual. It will come in real handy to understand what is what and how it all works.
