96 Softail dead short : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Digital Don · 10-13-2008, 09:57 PM

I have a 96 softail that went dead after trying to start. It turned over one time then dead, the headlight won't come on. When I put a meter on the Batt. it's 13V until the ignition switch is on then meter reads zero. I have disconnected all the cables with plugs one at a time that I can see but with no success. HELP!

Buddy Seat · 10-13-2008, 11:57 PM

Have ya tried unplugging the stator ?

Fred1369 · 10-14-2008, 05:19 AM

these spammers sure get up early.
oh, wait, it's from China. He actually came back in time.

Dr.Hess · 10-14-2008, 08:23 AM

Don,
I probably isn't a short. Your battery is probably dead.

Digital Don · 10-14-2008, 10:00 AM

It test at 13.5 volts without a load, when I hook a car batt. charger to it and turn on the ignition it brings the batt charger down to zero.

Buddy Seat · 10-15-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddy Seat

Have ya tried unplugging the stator ?

A short in the stator can drain juice like this..

Digital Don · 10-16-2008, 09:17 PM

Not the Stator, keep them idea's coming.

budonahog · 10-16-2008, 10:14 PM

It could possibly be the ignition switch. I believe that year had a blade type switch on the dash. These are only about $25 but maybe someone you know might have an extra kicking around that you could try.

Ed Y · 10-16-2008, 10:26 PM

Use the multimeter to check for the voltage drop starting at the + side of the battery. Check each wire, one at a time. I'd pay close attention to the ignition switch thoug.

ThunderstrukTX · 10-29-2008, 10:37 AM

99/evo/Havin the same trouble/Havnt isolated the problem ,however im leaning towards the switch?
Seam's like contact terminals are way to close to ground?

Digital Don · 10-29-2008, 10:50 AM

I will try the switch as soon as I can, Thanks for the replys

mlewis · 10-30-2008, 02:12 PM

If the zero voltage measurement you’re posting is directly across the battery terminals while attempting to crank the motor, it’s likely just a bad battery. Forcing a good battery down to zero volts would likely result in some notable fireworks somewhere.

Don’t be mislead by the auto battery charger dropping to zero volts when attempting to crank the motor. Cranking the motor requires several hundred amps, which only a good battery can provide.

To prove this, jumper (with heavy gauge cables) to a known good battery and try cranking the motor.

bill corkey · 10-30-2008, 03:11 PM

leave the ignition on for awhile;check for smoke. We used to call this technique 'the smoke test' when i was a tech in the Air Force. Seriously, like mlewis said if it ain't smoking it's probably the battery shorting internally.

Digital Don · 02-23-2009, 02:52 PM

It was the Battery shorting internally, Thanks for all the help, I may have learned something. Wow.