| Author | Message | ||
     Pnw_uly |
So I start up my XT for the daily commute, and after pulling out of the garage, it stalls: not just stalls - - power goes out, lights off and the needles "ping" to the 10 o'clock position. Re-key the ignition, no power (or lights), needles back to "0"... Rekey the ignition, electrical comes on, clock reset to 1:00 o'clock, no start, no nuthin'. . . Wheel it back in the garage and hop on the FXR, and ride to work with the South Park "Fags" episode playing in my head... Okay, the particulars: 1. 2008 XB12XT 2. Bought "new" in June 2009 3. Just under 11K 4. Engine check light did not illuminate prior to the "stroke". 5. No issues previously other than the Bank Angle Sensor needing to be reset (November 2009) This is all going under warranty, but would appreciate any assistance in helping the dealer figure out what's wrong (going to the shop on Wednesday). | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Check the battery connections, and any other main ground cables you can find. Also, 11k miles since June is awesome! (Message edited by mikef5000 on January 25, 2010) | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Checked all the connections - - all tight. 11k was pretty easy at 75 miles per day as a commute. Riding pretty much year-round up here in Washington, as long as you don't mind the rain... ECM ?? (Message edited by PNW_ULY on January 25, 2010) | ||
| Froggy |
How is your battery voltage? | ||
| Itileman |
Checked your fuses? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Key on. Turn handlebars from lock to lock, see if the needles and other stuff come alive (even for a little bit) as you turn the bars. Also with the key on (and seat and flyscreen off, if you're adventurous) - grab various places on the harness(es) and wiggle. See if one brings things back to life while you wiggle. You can also pull the outer, inner, and lower airboxes if you want...but if its warranty, I'd leave it for the dealer to do that part. That rubber velocity stack is a PITA to put back in place!  | ||
| Rwven |
Check all grounds, especially the one under the seat that the ground cable from the battery connects to. Also, don't forget the ones behind the headlights on the steering head. DAMHIK..... | ||
| Swampy |
Check the grounds especially under the seat, remove them, clean them up with some sand paper and retighten with star washers. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Gents - Thanks for the input - - battery is at 12+ and all the fuses are good. Sanded off the ground points when I put on the comfort kit in September, grounds under the seat are tight, I'll check the flyscreen grounds tonight when I try Ratbuell's "wire harness wiggle". | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
The bike is 7 months old.If it is not something obvious, let the dealership take care of it. Those folks could probably use some labor money from the factory this time of year. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Ever get that feeling when working on project. . . "I should take care of that now, so it doesn't bite me in the ass later down the road" ? ? That's how I felt when I installed the Comfort Kit in September and noticed the Torx head ground bolts. Went home last night and used Ratbuell's advice and tried to start the bike while moving the harness, and sure enough, the ground that I was sure was tight wasn't so tight... Pulled the battery, re-tightened the Torx bolts again, and the Uly is as good as new! And I'll get to do it again this weekend, when I go out and buy the replacement hex bolts that I should have put in when I did the Comfort Kit... Obviously pretty piss-poor self diagnosis on my part, but thanks all for the assistance. Definitely something to remember in the future... | ||
| Etennuly |
The "I checked it already" thing that leads to skimming over on the second look, has been an ass biter for many of us in the repair business since the repair business began. And I mean a lot more than in the motorcycle business. It is usually where I catch a problem an employee is having, a simple double check where they said "I already checked it". Then sure as can be, later I would have a problem that I said "I already checked it", some underling smart ass is always more than happy to say  "I thought you said you already checked that!". Shit happens!  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Pnw - two IMPORTANT words for you: STAR WASHERS. You can't use loctite on a ground bolt, of course...it's an insulator. But star washers will give enough bite to help keep the bolts from backing out. If you have multiple layers on the bolt - i.e. more than one ring terminal - put a washer between every layer. Bolt head / washer / ring terminal / washer / ring terminal / washer / chassis. Glad you found it! | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Paul - Guess you get to park the "spare" FXR for awhile ? Glad you found a simple fix - those grounds can be tricky. Ratbuells message on Star washers gives me 1 more thing to put on the "to do"list before 4 corners. Didn't go to DV - big lakes where the roads used to be. "Chow Pal, j | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Thanks again, knew about not using Loctite, now a few star washers to go with the hex bolts. I did add a another ground with the auxiliary lights, so all the more reason to get it fixed right (and add another star washer). Ride Safe. |
