| Author | Message | ||
     Gusmiami |
I tried to start my Ulysses the other day and it made a loud click (once) and that was it. Then when I turn the key and take it out all the indicator lights stay on (except the fuel light). When I turn the key to the start position they all turn off except for the highbeam indicator light. So now I'm looking at the bike and the key is nowhere near the bike.....again, ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ON except for the low fuel warning light, and of course it won't start. It doesn't even attempt to start. Can anyone help?? | ||
| Hooper |
This may be the issue I had when I was riding down the road and the bike just DIED. It stayed dead for about 8 minutes on the side of the road. Then it restarted, and I made it another mile before it died again. I didn't have the patience to wait for it to restart, so I walked home (not far), and got my car. Of course, when I drove to the bike, it restarted. So I rode the Uly home, got on my mountain bike, rode to my car, put the bike in the trunk, and drove home. I then made a martini as big as my head. Anyway, I found that the washers on my battery posts had been removed by my mechanic (the dealer) at my last service. They didn't know that by adding 1 or 2 washers to the battery posts prevents the bike's too-long posts from shorting it out and killing it. Try that. | ||
| Gusmiami |
Thanks hooper. Just checked and both washers are there. I heard clicking when I toggle the red ignition button on and off so I opened the fuse panel that's next to the battery and it's the ignition fuse i hear clicking. Is it safe to assume that's gone to sh@t?? | ||
| Tootal |
Is is a fuse or relay that's clicking? Fuses usually just blow. If the relay is clicking then it's working. It sounds like a bad ground. That will cause all kinds of strange things to happen. Check the other end of the ground strap. Remove it and put a start washer between it and the frame. | ||
| Gusmiami |
sorry for my ignorance, but which is the ground strap? | ||
| Etennuly |
Grab the battery terminals with your hand. Try as hard as you can to move them. If they move, they are too loose(what the washers are for). The battery terminal bolts are actually a few thousandths too long and bottom out just as they tighten. Next up are ground issues. Follow the ground wires to their ends. Remove each, sand a bit on the contact areas and reinstall with washers that bite in. Next if it doesn't help thus far, charge and load test the battery itself. Should show about 12.4 to 12.7 volts charged with no load. With volt meter hooked up, start the bike, it should not drop below 9.8 to 10.0 volts. If your numbers are below these further testing may be required and or a new battery. | ||
| Gusmiami |
That's a lot of crap I have to remove just to get to those ground wires huh?? LOL | ||
| Roostre |
When mine acted like this it was the 77 connector to the VR going out. Have you checked it? (Its been a while- correct me if I am remembering wrong the "77" connector) | ||
| Sleez |
looks like he has an 08, no "77" AFAIK??? | ||
| Edgydrifter |
+1 on checking all the ground wires. I had almost the exact symptoms you describe and loose grounds were the culprit. | ||
| Sanchez |
> Grab the battery terminals with your hand. Not at the same time.  > That's a lot of crap I have to remove just to get to those ground wires huh?? LOL Nah, it's easy. Just remove the battery (one rubber strap) and the fuse box (two plastic clips). The bolts are torx T-25. I did that yesterday. | ||
| Glen |
10 minute job,i had to bend my battery tray a little to get a file in there. bent it back good as new.  | ||
| Rwven |
I used a diamond dust fingernail file that I borrowed from my wife. It slides right down between the battery box and the frame ground post. It roughs up both sides at once! | ||
| Gusmiami |
Well, I resolved the issue. The bike is only 9 or so months old,so I figured rather than mess with it myself I would have the dealer look into it. I also have what I think is a LOT of rust on my muffler and wanted them to look at that also. I will say this about the Buell/HD customer service......It's VERY good. I called (1-888-443-5896) and they came and picked up the bike at no charge (It was covered under the HD roadside "hog" service). The lady looked me up in the system, didn't find me and said, "we'll pick it up for you anyway". So when the option was either to try and get in there and fix it myself, perhaps cause another problem which will not be covered because it was ME that caused it OR have someone come to my house and flatbed the bike to a technician to do it.......the answer was obvious "my address is__________, come and get it". | ||
| Tootal |
If your still under warranty then hell yes, let them do it! Let us know what they find though. Which ever one of us got it right gets bragging rights for up to one year!  |
