dyna fuel gauge question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

97'ES · 10-23-2009, 07:18 PM

Hey guys, I just let my father use my Super for biketoberfest and the battery was 6 or 7 years old and when it got down there it was done for. He had it replaced, and now the fuel gauge doesn't function at all. It doesn't light up or move with turning the ignition on. I'm guessing it has to be something that didn't get reconnected? I can't find anything. The gauge worked up until the replacement he said. I know it worked great in the past, much better then most people seem to say on here. btw please no one tell me to forget about it and use the trip meter, that like saying you've found a streetable advantage to carburetion over EFI, there isn't one lol. This is 2009 not 1969 and truthfully I cant stand looking at it dead. I also checked the service manual but I cannot read wiring diagrams as i am not an electrical engineer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

LoneEagle964 · 10-23-2009, 08:44 PM

start with the simple first, check all fuses then I would look around the battery maybe even pull it and see if perhaps something got pulled or knocked loose when it was replaced .
From looking at my service man, which is from an 02 so may be different than yours there should be a black ground wire and an orange wire feeding the guage look for possibly a bad ground near the battery or main ground lug on the frame.

LoneEagle

LowRiderCustom · 10-23-2009, 09:56 PM

My battery has more than one wire going to the terminals, make sure they didn't forget to connect one.

ChopperDude · 10-24-2009, 12:19 PM

Are you talking about on your 96 FXD? I didn't think they had gauges on those models... is it an aftermarket deal?

I wrenched for 4 years, but didn't see that many older Dynas. I'm pretty sure Softails of that vintage did NOT have gauges.

But in general... there is only ONE cable at the battery terminal on stock bikes. Someone might install a Battery Tender, or some other accessory (light kit, etc), but a bike from the factory will just have the one cable. There would not be anything near the battery regarding the fuel gauge.

LowRiderCustom · 10-24-2009, 01:10 PM

Seeing his bike didn't some with a fuel gauge from the factory, then one must have been added. Which makes it possible that there's more than one wire going to the battery like mine.

Gulfstream · 10-25-2009, 01:51 AM

I'm pretty sure the 95 and up FXD's had fuel gauges.

sam sam the mex · 10-25-2009, 09:00 AM

my 99 came stock with a fuel gauge!!!!

d1hojo · 10-25-2009, 02:28 PM

If you re read the post it is a 2009, not a 1969. On my 07 the connection for the fuel guage is under the tank on the left side. I would look at fuse first. That's all I can help out

rickr01 · 10-25-2009, 02:56 PM

The 1996 FXD's had a factory fuel gauge which is set below the fuel fill in the center of the dash. Since the gauge stopped working to include the light after the battery was changed I would suspect a wire left disconnected.

monkeyboy · 10-25-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d1hojo

If you re read the post it is a 2009, not a 1969. On my 07 the connection for the fuel guage is under the tank on the left side. I would look at fuse first. That's all I can help out

How did a 2009 come with a 6 or 7 year old battery?

rickr01 · 10-25-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d1hojo

If you re read the post it is a 2009, not a 1969. On my 07 the connection for the fuel guage is under the tank on the left side. I would look at fuse first. That's all I can help out

That was only a statement he made referencing the times. The FXD listed in the picture is a 1996.

Bud Man · 10-25-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickr01

That was only a statement he made referencing the times. The FXD listed in the picture is a 1996.

And if you find a 1969 Superglide, I will pay big money as that is a very rare bike.

97'ES · 10-26-2009, 08:33 AM

Thanks for the input guys, yeah i was only referencing the times with the 2009 thing lol, I wish it was an 09'. Its a 96' and the fuel gauge is stock equipment to my knowledge. I haven't honestly had a chance to dig around yet, too busy with work and school. I'm going to screw with it tonight and let you guys know but your probably right rick as my fogs aren't working either, so whoever installed this battery was evidently mentally incapable. Thanks for all the responses though, I love the activity on this forum.

97'ES · 10-29-2009, 04:28 PM

i checked every connection under the seat and everything is in order. The fuse and relay on the fogs are good. As are the grounds. Any other fuses I should look for in relation to the fuel gauge? or connections?

ChopperDude · 10-30-2009, 10:17 AM

Instead of looking for something disconnected... it could be that a 13 year old device just might be broke ?? Possibly the sending unit is bad.... or the sending unit is good but the gauge itself is bad.

You mentioned having a Service Manual... is there any diagnostic steps for checking that?

Unfortunately... I know all too well that the Service Manuals before the Twin Cam years are SORELY lacking in good information, especially for electrical diagnostics...