07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 18th, 2009, 11:46 PM

Diagnostics is a heap better than the old school panic red engine light of old that would basically tell you no oil pressure...and usually too late for you to do anything to prevent further damage.

In the old days not much better than a silent cry for HELP! Not my idea of decent troubleshooting tool...just an attention getter. Only thing more useless is the Engine reminder light of today, merely a mileage logger, to have your ride smogged and dealer charging you $100 to reach up and reset or their special OBEDII tool to electronically reset it.

Jim B. · Nov 19th, 2009, 03:17 AM

I always hit the kill switch first and then the ignition switch second when shutting down the bike. And, of course, that often leads to leaving the ignition switch on by mistake and running down the battery. I mentioned this to my neighbor and he suggested a solution. He leaves the radio turned on all the time at low volume. If you forget to turn off the ignition swtich you can hear the radio playing and that is your reminder to turn off the ignition. Has worked for me ever since.

ProF · Dec 3rd, 2009, 10:31 PM

I did the same thing a couple of days ago....went into a store, left the console switch on, came out to a battery so low it wouldn't start. Lucky for me I had AAA motorcycle addon. They came out and jumped it.

Question: I'm thinking of putting a cutoff switch to the dual headlights (RG) to be able to turn the ignition back on without them. I'm thinking that my bike might have started if the battery wasn't powering the headlights at the same time. Would having the headlights off made a whole lot of difference? I realize it depends on how low the battery was, but just wondering if a) it's worth doing, and b) if any harm could be done, like is the computer looking for a headlight load when the bike starts?

Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

BTW, after a 1amp charge over night, the battery was ok this morning. Still going strong for the original 03 stock battery!

Hoople · Dec 3rd, 2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProF

Still going strong for the original 03 stock battery!

You are way over your batteries useful life. Your going to take out your regulator, and if you don't catch that soon enough, your stator will soon follow. I would have changed it long ago.

ProF · Dec 3rd, 2009, 11:18 PM

Good to know. I used to just run my old fxr batteries into the ground.

I'll go shopping tomorrow. Thanks.

NEWHD74FAN · Dec 6th, 2009, 08:56 PM

Good call Hoop & Prof...trying to "extend battery life" other than standard Battery Tender will not buy you much...but additional stress on your charging system. More than 6 years out of a modern battery with high plate density but little electolyte capacity means it is designed for full charge only operation with little water loss tolerated. If either happens over the life of the battery, it's useful life will be shortened. Not that we would EVER run down our batteries or OVERCHARGE it over 5 or 6 years...

PaulWhite · Dec 15th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Have forgot to turn off my ignition switch and have to go back and turn it off. I all ways turn and look at my bike as I am walking off. Don't ask why I do it. Maybe because the new hasn't worn off of it yet. I see my headlight on and have to turn off the iginition.

RibEye · Dec 16th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Developing good "HABITs" is a great way of making sure you do what needs doing. You must do it the same way every time, with no deviations due to circumstances, or you negate the habit development. Inconvenience is your friend. I (internally) count to myself as I shut down: 1) Run stop off, 2) Ignition off, 3) passing lights off (don't want them on when I start next time). Then, good rules are helpful, such as, "Never go more than 3 steps away from an unlocked scooter (ignition and forks - I have a road king where they are separate). Again, inconvenience is your friend. Requiring a locked ignition is that double check to its being turned off. Inconvenient habits lose their inconvenience significantly, once they become habits.

Enjoy,
Rich P

Nov 18th, 2009, 11:46 PM	#31
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,999 My Mood:	Diagnostics is a heap better than the old school panic red engine light of old that would basically tell you no oil pressure...and usually too late for you to do anything to prevent further damage. In the old days not much better than a silent cry for HELP! Not my idea of decent troubleshooting tool...just an attention getter. Only thing more useless is the Engine reminder light of today, merely a mileage logger, to have your ride smogged and dealer charging you $100 to reach up and reset or their special OBEDII tool to electronically reset it. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< Last edited by NEWHD74FAN; Nov 19th, 2009 at 11:16 PM.

Nov 19th, 2009, 03:17 AM	#32
Jim B. Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Road Glide Join Date: Apr 28th, 2009 Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 384	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery I always hit the kill switch first and then the ignition switch second when shutting down the bike. And, of course, that often leads to leaving the ignition switch on by mistake and running down the battery. I mentioned this to my neighbor and he suggested a solution. He leaves the radio turned on all the time at low volume. If you forget to turn off the ignition swtich you can hear the radio playing and that is your reminder to turn off the ignition. Has worked for me ever since.

Dec 3rd, 2009, 10:31 PM	#33
ProF Contributor$ Ride: '03 Road Glide Join Date: Mar 17th, 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 302 My Mood:	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery I did the same thing a couple of days ago....went into a store, left the console switch on, came out to a battery so low it wouldn't start. Lucky for me I had AAA motorcycle addon. They came out and jumped it. Question: I'm thinking of putting a cutoff switch to the dual headlights (RG) to be able to turn the ignition back on without them. I'm thinking that my bike might have started if the battery wasn't powering the headlights at the same time. Would having the headlights off made a whole lot of difference? I realize it depends on how low the battery was, but just wondering if a) it's worth doing, and b) if any harm could be done, like is the computer looking for a headlight load when the bike starts? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks. BTW, after a 1amp charge over night, the battery was ok this morning. Still going strong for the original 03 stock battery! __________________ I doubt, therefore I might be.

Dec 3rd, 2009, 11:18 PM	#35
ProF Contributor$ Ride: '03 Road Glide Join Date: Mar 17th, 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 302 My Mood:	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery Good to know. I used to just run my old fxr batteries into the ground. I'll go shopping tomorrow. Thanks. __________________ I doubt, therefore I might be.

Dec 6th, 2009, 08:56 PM	#36
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,999 My Mood:	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery Good call Hoop & Prof...trying to "extend battery life" other than standard Battery Tender will not buy you much...but additional stress on your charging system. More than 6 years out of a modern battery with high plate density but little electolyte capacity means it is designed for full charge only operation with little water loss tolerated. If either happens over the life of the battery, it's useful life will be shortened. Not that we would EVER run down our batteries or OVERCHARGE it over 5 or 6 years... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Dec 15th, 2009, 10:21 PM	#37
PaulWhite Play The Throttle Ride: 2007 heritage softail Join Date: Dec 9th, 2009 Location: Mt Holly, New Jersey Posts: 267 My Mood:	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery Have forgot to turn off my ignition switch and have to go back and turn it off. I all ways turn and look at my bike as I am walking off. Don't ask why I do it. Maybe because the new hasn't worn off of it yet. I see my headlight on and have to turn off the iginition.

Dec 16th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#38
RibEye Warming The Wheels Ride: 2003 FLHRCI-X (Anniv RK Classic) Join Date: Sep 20th, 2009 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 73 My Mood:	Re: 07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery Developing good "HABITs" is a great way of making sure you do what needs doing. You must do it the same way every time, with no deviations due to circumstances, or you negate the habit development. Inconvenience is your friend. I (internally) count to myself as I shut down: 1) Run stop off, 2) Ignition off, 3) passing lights off (don't want them on when I start next time). Then, good rules are helpful, such as, "Never go more than 3 steps away from an unlocked scooter (ignition and forks - I have a road king where they are separate). Again, inconvenience is your friend. Requiring a locked ignition is that double check to its being turned off. Inconvenient habits lose their inconvenience significantly, once they become habits. Enjoy, Rich P

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07' FLSTC Left Ignition On - Dead Battery

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