| Author | Message | ||
     Balloyd66 |
This is an '09 Uly XT. 3,500 miles. Yesterday evening, riding home from work, I had total electrical shutdown, but just for a second or less, sometimes multiple time within a couple seconds, but then would refire as long as I was moving in gear. Totally died one time sitting at a red light, but restarted fine immediately. This happed multiple times during the trip home. Engine died, gauges died, accessory circuit died. Engine light came on, but I couldn't tell if it was signalling a problem or just came on when the power came back. Anyway checked/cleaned battery connections, frame grounds (front and back), fuses, ECM connections. Removed tape from harness at the frame/steering transition and don't see any obvious chafing/breaks. Don't know if I've fixed it yet. Probably going to be a ride-and-see situation. Any other suggestions before I button it back up? Do I need to explore the harness transition more aggressively? Would really like to feel more comfortable about my Homecoming trip in a couple weeks. Please help!! | ||
| Ulyscol |
The frame/steering harness issues I had with my 08' were not clearly visible when I removed the tape. I had to physically bend each wire to narrow down the broken connection. If your problems are coming from this area you will need to examine it very closely. | ||
| Yamafreak |
My 08XT died when turning right It was the harness. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Thanks for the suggestions. Would also like to clarify that this was happening on smooth, straight highway, as well as on pothole laden city streets. Thankfully didn't happen mid-turn going around corners. Thanks all! | ||
| Okc99 |
Anyone have a picture of the harness in question? | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Sorry, no photo. It's just the wrapped gathering of wires between that exits the frame and and goes to the steering column/gauge cluster, behind the headlights on the left side. I've seen photos in other posts; seems someone had a similar problem. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Well, no go. Tore it apart Saturday. Cleaned all connections, etc. Inspected, pulled, bent, manipulated harness at frame/gauge cluster transition; kept on running without a hitch. So unless any of you geniusess have an "Ah-Hah" moment, I guess it's off to the dealer tomorrow to see what they can find. Hopefully they don't jack something else up; hopefully they have it done in time for Homecoming. Now it's off to Wally for an oil filter; where the hell did I put that HD filter I bought last Fall? | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Dropped the bike off at the local HD dealer last Wednesday (6/2). Gave 'em a couple days without pestering them. Called late Friday to check on it. They started working on it without even riding it to see what the issue is. Stopped in Saturday to see if they'd made any headway. Yes, the tech rode it, and the beast acted up, so that's good, but it doesn't seem like they're putting much credibility in what I'm telling them. Saturday they were checking the fuel pressure. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, knowing they work on bikes every day, but I'm not getting any warm fuzzy feelings here. Seems like they didn't listen to me saying "total electrical shutdown." Looks like I may be renting a car for Homecoming. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Okay, now to finalize the issue. Got the bike back on Thursday 6/10 and it runs spectacularly. Last Saturday when I checked on the bike, I mentioned for them to check for cracks in the ECM, either on the body or around the connections. Sure as hell, they found the "filler goop epoxy" around the connections was cracked. Wasn't real evident until they flexed the connections, though. So, I have to give them kudos for listening to me. And how did I come up with this "cracked ECM theory" you might ask? Well on BadWeb of course! I must say it took some digging, but I did find it here. Many thanks to those folks who wrote about it here! Anyway, they took an ECM off another bike they have there, gave it the latest flash, and "Voila!", it's fixed. (Plus I got the latest flash) And it didn't cost me a penny, to boot! Thanks to Rick, Kent, Parker, and the other techs at Topeka HD. | ||
| Froggy |
Moved here per request  | ||
| Motor2wheel |
Thanks for the info. I have had the very same problem, it sound like. I posted in the wrong area of the board, though: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/571731.html?1276219600 I will try this second time through for the dealer to look at the ECM closer. Thanks, again. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Motor, read your post and it sounds like very similar symptoms. Definitely give your tech a heads-up. I guess a question I have is "are the seat pans flexing too much and smashing the ECM?" I'm just saying I'm no lightweight. Just throwing that out there for other's input/opinions. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
And, thanks to Froggy for moving this thread! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Good info! I was under the seat stashing a few more tools anyway, and popped off those connectors, shot both sides with contact cleaner, put some dielectric grease around the outside of them, and reseated them. I only had one "mystery shutdown", but no harm in cleaning and protecting a connector... |
