Nightster problem

steved409

sorry for double post

steved409

It's nice to know I have the warranty to fall back on. I did find really bad corroded fuses and relays in the fuse box. Cleaned everything up real well now the instrument/ speedo pod just blinks when the key is turned on and the relays 'hum' when the starter is pushed. Will clean battery cables and if that doesn't work then HD here I come!

You would think HD would have provided a water resistant cover for the fuse box! This type designing reminds me of the old Lucas "Prince of Darkness" engineering of English motorcycles 50 years ago!!

Hobbit

if you have cleaned the fuses cover them in Dielectric grease as this will impede the corrosion and add a water proof barrier

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steved409

Checked the voltage across the battery and found 14.4 volts. Positive terminal clean as a whistle. But, ugh, when I got to the negative terminal! Corrosion really thick. Cleaned it and my problems dissolved. Turns over really strong now. I would think the neg terminal wasn't cleaned when the bad battery was replaced in April at the local dealership.

Thanks all,
SteveD

rdlee

have you greased battery connections ? you can have a n optimate battery tender wired straight in just plug in when on return from journey saves mucking about

pete malone

My Nightster was just over 1 year old and I had the same problem, Battery died after a 150 mile ride. I got HOG recovery out and took it back to HD who put a new battery on.
I can't leave a charger on it as it sits on the front drive with a Bike Barn covering it so it wouldn't be safe. Anyway you shouldn't be getting problems with a new or newish bike so if it goes again then HD can fix it again.

steved409

I had 14.4 volts. Will a battery tender keep the terminals from corroding?

Thanks for the tip on the dielectric grease on the fuse box. Do you just cover the fuses??? Or like dip the prongs with the grease then insert?

Hobbit

pull the main 30a fuse and squeeze grease in there
on the fuse board pull each fuse one by one and squeeze grease into the slots lots of then return the fuse do not worry if it spreads out once doen do the relays also then return the 30a and away you go

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glider

Proper cleaning and protection (maintenance) will do that. Charging of the battery creates hydrogen gas which is the main cause of corrosion and is very explosive also.

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softailsteve

check and clean the connections but dont forget th connections on the starter and the grounds