Battery question

[par_fore]

I did some work on the bike ('06 FLSTNI) today and disconnected the battery prior to beginning. Just the (-) cable.

When I hooked it back up I had nothin' I put it on the charger. After about 30 min on the 2 amp setting the gauge on the charger shows full charge. I now get lights, headlight and brake lights. The dash lights come on but flash on and off.

Is this definately the battery or am I overlooking something simple? I had no indication that there was any problem with the battery prior to this and I rode it moments before I started. Also, if I am to leave it on the charge overnight should I leave it on 2amp or is there any risk to putting it on 10 amp?

[FinalBags]

Check your manual. There may be a code.

[vafatboy]

Disconnect the battery completely for about ten minutes to reset the ECM and see if that works.

[par_fore]

Check your manual. There may be a code.

The only thing I found is if the system was armed when it lost power. It wasn't and I couldn't even get the code entry to activate.

Disconnect the battery completely for about ten minutes to reset the ECM and see if that works.

I pulled it out and put it on the charger. I'll put it back in tomorrow and see what happens.

Seems coincidenatal that I unhooked it and when I reconnect it is dead. No lights...nothing. If I put the charger on it lights come on but no ignition. Left the charger on for about an hour and when I turned it off nothing. That makes me think the battery's toast with no warning.

[Sidecar Doug]

If it was the original battery (4 years old), it might be time for a new battery. When they go, they seem to go quick. If you have an amp meter, you can check what the voltage of the battery.

[dynageno]

What doug said

['05Train]

Yep, what Doug said. When Vader's battery died, there were no symptoms of low voltage at all. It started fine at 10am, it was stone-cold dead at noon.

[vafatboy]

Just to be sure, I would check the fuses before buying a battery.

[DaSkip]

Check where your negative cable is grounded to the frame. You may have moved when taking the cable loose originally. Look for corrosion between the cable and frame.

[Infidel!]

:nothing1:

[noodles]

:Poke: what color is this battery?

[KD5CQT]

Just had this happen to me last week on a John Deere mower. Started perfectly, but I managed to bog the engine down and it refused to restart. Load tested the battery (4 years old) and it was toast. Just like that. I would not be surprised that your battery and mine are somehow related.

[Big Cheese]

Check where your negative cable is grounded to the frame. You may have moved when taking the cable loose originally. Look for corrosion between the cable and frame.

+1 I agree with Skip. Check it first.

[par_fore]

:Poke: what color is this battery?

It's GREEN of course!


Well chalk this one up to 41. My neighbor helped me re-install the right grip and (my fault for not paying attention) pinched the wire damaging the insulation and causing a short. Fixed the wire and changed the ignition fuse and we are good to go. It worked perfect for killing some of the thousands of grasshoppers in full bloom on one of the roads we rode this am.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.