| Author | Message | ||
     Putmanadm |
I apologize for posting this in the wrong category, but the other tech areas dont get many responses. So I start my bike last night, but it doesn't start right away, it hesitates like the battery has a weak charge. I rode a few blocks and the "check engine light" comes on and the engine starts hiccuping and riding really rough (I wouldn't have ridden it any further but I had to get home). Also, for the past two weeks I noticed the headlight and dash lights would sporatically get dimmer then brighter, then dimmer and brighter while I'm riding at constant rpms. She also hasn't been starting as easily like the battery doesn't get a full charge. whats up? its a 2005 cityx with 7300mi, thanks for your input | ||
| M1combat |
Sounds like the charging system... What primary oil do you use? | ||
| Putmanadm |
Regular HD oil, 20W 50, | ||
| Putmanadm |
stupid question... what does the charging? car = alternator motorcycle = ? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Perhaps the first thing to do is check the battery leads. Use a little locktite blue, tighten them down with a screwdriver tip on a socket wrench. The battery leads often vibrate loose, creating all kinds of mysterious ailments. If that does;t work, check voltage on battery when engine is running. If low, Stator and voltage regulator are the next suspects. I think.  Electrical gremlins are tricky little guys. | ||
| Buellinblack |
another possibility is that the battery cells could be bad and not taking or holding the charge. have the battery tested | ||
| Homing_turtle |
Yup. Charging and/or battery is funky. FI gets wonky without enough juice. +1 on the methods for checking, mentioned above. | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
Definitely check the leads. First. I had the exact same symptoms a month ago. Turns out the ground cable was a little loose. Tightened it up, cleaned all connections while I was at it... tada, problem solved. When it first happened I started recalling everything I'd read on here and started to panic (did my stator eat my right side scoop? was my fan so loud it scared the FI? Did the paint code of my battery not match the paint code of my molded plastic?...) Yikes! No, it was just a simple loose connection. If I was a betting man, and I am, I'd say it's just some corrosion or a loose lead. Good luck. | ||
| Kdan |
stupid answer... what does the charging? car = alternator motorcycle = Stator. (Which is buried waaayyy inside the primary)  | ||
| Sub65chris |
i just got my 05 city x back from the dealer . at 7300 miles i burned through 2 voltage regulators before one was installed that worked . I went round and around with the same problem you are having . Dont rely on the bike ! right now that is , if you keep riding teh bike will die and youll be pushing . charge the battery and get it to the dealer and have them replace the voltace regulator ( should be under warrenty ) . It worked in my bike, just got the bike back last sunday and no problems yet.  | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Tighten down the battery connections. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Sounds like the charging system to me (mine just failed a week or two ago). If you are under warranty, take it in. If you aren't under warranty follow the steps in the Service manual to diagnose the problem. I'm going with grounded stator, which might have taken the regulator and battery with it. Same thing happened to me (grounded stator) when running regular HD 20/50 Good Luck | ||
| Putmanadm |
yep u guys are right it was just loose battery leads, thank god. What a relief! thanks for your help. | ||
| Jamesxii |
I also have had the problem with my headlights dimming thought the bike ran fine. The starting problems didn't occur until after I had the bike into the dealership for 5000mi service during which they tested the charging system finding no problems. I was glad to find out that it was nothing other then a loose battery cable one morning when it wouldn't start at all. |
