| Author | Message | ||
     Wolfridgerider |
I'm starting to have some issues with the clock not keeping the correct time and the trip meter resetting itself to zero.... I hate electrical problems.... anybody else run into this? | ||
| Thetable |
First thing that pops into my head is the ground issues, covered by a TSB. Ah, here is the first one I found. | ||
| Etennuly |
Yep I did. About six months ago. Check for clean tight battery terminals. I will check back on my notes, can't recall exact cause right now. It is really annoying trying to figure how much gas you have left. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have had the speedo and tach do a sweep without the key being turned on.... sounds like I got some work to do... | ||
| Etennuly |
Check the grounds behind the headlight. It is hard to believe, but simple grounds will make it do that. | ||
| Ullygan |
I am still chasing that issue.. I have sanded and tightened 3 grounds and aplied dielectric grease , 2 under seat and 1 behind the forks. Are there any more ? I have an intermitent speedo and mileage but my fuel and all other lights are working. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have an intermitent speedo and mileage I have had that one also... | ||
| Radiocowboy |
I had that problem as well. I found out I had a weak battery it would start but the voltage would drop so low during cranking that it would reset the trip meter and clock. Got the dealer to replace the battery all is well now. | ||
| Ullygan |
Not the battery for me. Had it replaced on warranty as it was toast from new. I am going to look at the wiring behind the clocks again...it has to be something there, I think I covered all the grounds . It could be at the ground close to the VSS ??? | ||
| Etennuly |
Having for some reason, "less than total recall"  , my memory has been sparked. My problem with the gages and clock were indeed the battery. When it would start the voltage was dropping to around 3V or less. It was holding around 12.2 or so after charging. When I would hit the starter it would just barely crank at first, then fire right up. New battery still has it cranking over way better than when it was new. It also made the gages sweep in a weird manor. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have been doing some looking at dielectric grease on the web.... I just don't see how gooping a bunch of that stuff in electrical connections will help... If anything, it looks like it would make the connection worse.... But I'm going to give it a go.... and a new battery.... My Uly has a build date in '05, so its time for a new one... | ||
| Etennuly |
The dielectric grease is there to help the connection by keeping out moisture and preventing corrosion of the connection. It will only work on those connections if you clean them to like new with sandpaper/wire brush or the like. Did you do a voltage check on the battery? If you hook up a 12 volt meter watch the voltage drop when you hit the starter. If the battery is good it should be above 12.5V static and not drop below 9V in a spike for a second or so while cranking. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Wise advice ! My bike usually had the typical 'hesitation' when cranking over. Recently, the hesitation started to seem worse during a recent cold snap (45 degrees when I leave work at midnight for those still dealing with snow  ). When I put the voltmeter on it the next day for a 'cold' start, it dipped to a 6 volt spike. New battery went in that morning.  | ||
| Ronmold |
I will be installing the Signal Dynamics voltage monitor this weekend. It uses 1 LED that I will retro into 1 of the 2 unused spots in the idiot light cluster. I will try and document the procedure and let you know the results. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Ft_bstrd beat you to it ! | ||
| Orangeulius |
Wolf, + 1 on the battery replacement. Had the loss of clock and speedo and tach. After weeks in and out of the dealer I replaced the battery and fixed a loose terminal bolt and vroom vroom. That was 1 1/2 years ago. The replacement HD battery has since died and I installed a stronger battery per Verns recommendation. My bike also had problems turning over but HD/Buell refused to replace the battery. HD batteries SUCK! | ||
| Ronmold |
Yah, OK but are all his dash lights LED? | ||
| Rays |
The clock and trip meters are powered by a 'back-up' power source when the ignition is switched off - this keeps the memory for the trip meters, clock and low fuel trip meter powered. If you lose power via a poor battery connection or the battery voltage dropping very low during starting these memories will be lost. Another possibility is a break in the loom at the headstock where the back-up power line is spliced to the main power. I had this issue with my '06 - I posted some pictures in this earlier post: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/446370.html?1237983773 PM me if you need any further information. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
HD batteries SUCK! What kind of battery did you use? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Thanks Vern....O'Reilly's here I come... SUPERSTART - BATTERY (MAGNA POWER H/P AGM) Item No: ETX14 $73.99 Each [plus: $10.00 core charge] 1year free replacement | ||
| Etennuly |
Well.....What happened? Did ya get a battery or what??  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Yep.. took out the battery tray and cleaned all the ground points before I re-installed and all is well..... | ||
| Etennuly |
AAAAHHHHHHH......that's better! Now go ride, come back later and.....  | ||
| Dio |
IIRC the ETX14 battery is a relabeled battery made by East Penn Battery who makes all the OEM batteries for H-D and Buell. | ||
| Froggy |
Go Speedcell! About the size of a pack of smokes, and weighs 2lbs  | ||
| Muppet |
I've had exactly this issue on my 06 model. Developed after about 10 months of ownership (bought April 07, new from dealer). Told them about it, they investigated and thought it might be a break in the loom. Finally took it in last week to be done under warranty (runs out in about a week!) and so far haven't heard back from them. Will report back when I get it back but I suspect they're going for a new wiring loom as it's been there over a week now. | ||
| Etennuly |
If indeed East Penn makes the HD battery these are not the same. These are AGM (advanced glass mat), wherein the HD one is a sealed lead acid unit. The Buell manual tells you the battery must put out 12.6V before any testing is done to the bikes electrical's. Mine never tested above 12.4 fully charged, and it always was just weak enough to make it start harder than it should have, from new. HD would not replace the battery, they said it was in spec and "your volt meter must be off". The new battery from O'Reilly's has been above 12.7 from the start and cranks it over so much better. I can even turn the key on, with both headlights for ten minutes, and it still cranks like new. I accidentally did that with the original one and it wouldn't start until I charged it. Muppet, when I was having some earlier electrical problems the service guys couldn't replace the battery per HD. Seems to me they are fighting an uphill battle. |
