Starter System Fault

olddog58

olddog58

Member
:confused:I've read a ton of posts related to starters, ignition, battery, etc. And none of them match my specific scenario. I'm hoping one of you smart guys can advise.
2008, K9, EFI. Been having low voltage issues with speedo, was getting ready to buy a new battery. Typically, when it starts and shows low voltage, I can shut it down, restart, and speedo works.
Today, charged battery, started bike, low voltage. Shut down, restarted, still low voltage. turned key off... waited a few seconds... turned key on, hit 'run' switch, electrical systems fired up, fuel pump whines, headlight on, speedo cycles, everything looking good. BUT-
"Engine" light would typically go out after fuel pump finishes, but the light doesn't go out. And when I hit the start button- nothing.
I've charged the battery, I've disconnected the battery to try and recycle the computer. I've observed the faultlights on the EHC- it shows Power yellow (good), Controller Green (good), but when I hit the start button I get solid red on the Ignition light (BAD). I haven't been able to find a circuit breaker.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT???:confused:
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
Load test the battery. I am also guessing you didn't get the BD flash that cycles the speedometer after starting. From there, the battery quickly lost its ability to provide the required starting current and keep its voltage up! If you did get it running and have low voltage as described, then check your voltage regulator.

I put my original BDM 2008 battery in my 4KW generator when my speedometer started acting up. I could ride down the road, stop, and restart my bike and the speedometer worked fine. I believe the voltage was dropping too far when starting. I now have a Braille but have heard great words about the Harley battery. The original BDM battery had good starting current (load tested) and will probably give me many good years of service on my generator. These Dogs just need a very healthy battery.
 
Mickeetwo

Mickeetwo

Guru
I assume the EFI EHC's are different than the Carb model EHC's. The fault lights on my carb EHC will show yellow at the power light if there is a short in the system.
 
BigDogBro1

BigDogBro1

Made in the USA
"Typically, when it starts and shows low voltage, I can shut it down, restart, and speedo works."
Question: Please explain how the instrumentation shows low voltage on a 2008 EFI Bigdog..............


I'm sure the EHC units are the same for both carb and EFI bikes. Harness connections are different though.

The Engine Check Light stays ON because something during the start-up process failed a check...possibly your battery voltage level.

After the battery has been off the charger for at least an hour, you should measure 12.8 volts or more for the battery to operate the bike properly.

Make sure ALL battery terminals are clean and tight and ALL the wire crimps are solid on ALL the smaller wires going to the terminals of the battery.

Make sure you place the large battery cables nearest to the battery terminals when reinstalling the cables.

Poor battery condition will give you many problems. You'll be chasing your tail and spending money for no good reason.

Check the SIMPLE stuff first.
 
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olddog58

olddog58

Member
Appreciate the input and advice. While I recognize a low/bad battery can cause problems, it doesn't make sense to me that it would cause "this" problem.
I've charged the battery to full charge, 12.7/12.8, turn the key on and get the appropriate drop in voltage to just under 12.5. now if hitting the start switch got me clicking or something, I'd be right with you all on the battery. But my "engine" light in the speedo doesn't go out, and when I hit the start button the EHC fault light comes on. That doesn't sound like a marginal battery. I was hoping for an in-line fuseable link, or circuit breaker, or ???
I have had some corrosion at the cable connection between starter and selanoid, so I'll check that out again. But what else could cause the "engine" light to stay on and fault like to light?
 
Mickeetwo

Mickeetwo

Guru
On my EHC when you turn on the key and press the run button the ignition fault light turns red. So the red fault light is normal for the ignition. I'm still thinking the yellow fault light on the power side means theres a problem somewhere in the system.
 
olddog58

olddog58

Member
Wholy CRAP! I just talked to my local Big Dog Mechanic and he said the EHC is toast, that Big Dog doesn't make a replacement, and that I'll need to have a WirePlus system installed for $1450... Wholy Crap!
CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
Can that be true? CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
 
dnespolo

dnespolo

Active Member
olddog58 said:
Wholy CRAP! I just talked to my local Big Dog Mechanic and he said the EHC is toast, that Big Dog doesn't make a replacement, and that I'll need to have a WirePlus system installed for $1450... Wholy Crap!
CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
Can that be true? CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
Click to expand...
Buy it trough Jake (member sponsor) and install it yourself you'll save almost 2/3 of the money.
 
toodie

toodie

Active Member
olddog58 said:
Wholy CRAP! I just talked to my local Big Dog Mechanic and he said the EHC is toast, that Big Dog doesn't make a replacement, and that I'll need to have a WirePlus system installed for $1450... Wholy Crap!
CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
Can that be true? CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
Click to expand...
Just talked? Did he actually troubleshoot the bike?? Hmmm I believe Fibersnake just installed a BDM replacement EHC and your mechanic says they don't make a replacement??
 
olddog58

olddog58

Member
Update- update- update. Maybe my name should be "dumbdog" instead of "olddog".
Yesterday I had the battery tested, checked out fine. I also bought a new relay since one of the two attached to the EHC looked pretty corroded.
put everything back together and ran the start up sequence- what I noticed is that it isn't the "Ignition" fault light, it's the "Air Ride Compressor" fault light. A whole different thing... I ran the next trouble shoot procedure from my manual, cycle the high/low switch, and the two fault lights for air relief and air compressor alternately light up with "high beam" or "Low beam" switch. I did notice that my high beam isn't coming on when I toggle the light switch... couldn't be that simple...
Next step on the trouble shooting guide is to check connections at the compressor... but where the heck is the compressor? NOthing in the manual about it, and quite frankly, I didn't know I had a compressor or air ride system???
 
Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
Sorry to say it, but I don't believe you have an air ride system on your 08 model. You should have two hidden shocks underneath.. Just saying
 
armad

armad

Active Member
I have an 08 Mutt and my speedo has acted up too. I keep mine on a battery tender now and it has helped a lot. BUT, once in a while the speedo will not work even after having the battery on the tender. I do what you have done and just shut the bike down and restart and then the speedo will work. I do have the original battery still in the bike. It seems a lot of people are putting in batteries once a year, which shouldn't be the case. These bikes do seem to draw a lot off the battery, even with the compression relief system. Keeping the battery maintained can help avoid a lot of headaches. If your hi beam is out the next thing to go will be the low beam. Buy a new bulb and then check to be sure the plug inside the headlight is the ceramic one and not the plastic. The plastic ones melt and cause problems.
 
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olddog58

olddog58

Member
I don't think I have an air suspension system either. I've been surfing threads and re-reading the manual... When I check the wiring diagram I see that the power goes through Bus1 to both the "air ride system" and on to the headlight. So the fact that they are on the same circuit and my high beam is out, lead me to the headlight threads... so I'm going to check the headlight connector for short.
I'm still kind of amazed that with all the hundreds, thousands of posts, I seem to have a unique problem- was kind of hoping a few bikers would have had the same problem.
 
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