Experienced problems with electrics

[fatboyharris]

Hi,
I would appreciate some help or guidance, I have a 1990 Fatboy and I haven't used the bike much in the wet until yesterday. Whilst on the homeward leg in the rain my turn indicators, horn and neutral indicator ceased to work. I thought for a while the bike may have been running slightly rough and the headlights seemed dim.

However, once I got home the engine is running cleanly the lights are fine but the indicators, horn and neutral indictor are stubbingly refusing to co-operate. Being a complete novice, are these all connected and where should I start to begin to track down the fault. I have no idea where the various electrical components are.

Well first bit of fault finding, everything works when I put the ignition on accessories, so it looks like the ignition switch, I know these are very unrelaible but I replaced it just in case about 18 months ago when it was being serviced. The hunt continues...

Many thanks in advance, please be gentle with me.
regards
John

[kiwidave]

does it start OK?

Check your battery. get a multi meter and go here:

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...ng-system.html

[Dale]

battery could be on the way out, or possible earth problem, or shorting out due to water, how old is the battery?, if not a gel batt check your batt levels, check the batt connections, get yourself a voltage meter, check you batt voltage? should read something like 12.5-13 amp, when you rev the bike does the headlamp get brighter? if so could be the batt or charging system, check your regulator plug is in tight, check your earth cable i am not sure if it is located in the same place as my fxrs, it might be bolted to the under side of your inner primary, the bike might run ok at stand still but on the road vibration my affect your earth lead causing a break down and poor running.
WD40 all wiring connections, & switches that you have problems ie both handlebar switches with, take connections off the problem parts horn etc test you voltage, try leaving off the neural connections, i am no expert but maybe the the switch is bad and causing a drain in power.
i will pm you and see if i can send you a wiring diagram from a 2002 softail.
hope this helps let us know

[fatboyharris]

Hi Dave,

The bike started absolutely fine this morning, first time on the button, the lights are bright but may have become brighter when revved and the engine seems to be running fine, just no turn signals etc. The battery was on the bike when I bought it 18 months ago, it was absolutely fine before the winter but felt a little sluggish of late.......so I'm off to get a meter and start the hunt. Many thanks for the writeup that will be extremely useful.
regards
John

[fatboyharris]

Well glad to report its now fixed, many thanks for all the assistance.

Turns out it wasn't the ignition switch but a red wire connecting 2 of the ignition terminals had detached from the one terminal as the eyelet had cracked most likely thru vibration and allowed the wire to detach, new eyelet on the wire and 'bobs your uncle' it all works again.

The biggest problem was getting that farty little screw out of the speedo trip reset arm. Talk about poor design.............

Many thanks again
regards
John