Topic: 2009 FLHTCUSE4 Electrical Problems (Read 9080 times)

softail · « **on:** August 12, 2009, 07:32:20 AM »

I have a 2009 Screaming Eagle Ultra that is going into the shop for the 3rd time. When I leave on a trip and the bike is not on the trickle charger the battery will eventually die. The dealer has said 2x there is nothing wrong and the battery just needs charged. The most recent time I ran the bike about 2,000 miles over 8 days and the only "extras" were a Zumo GPS and Kurykayn driving lights. (I do have an HID headlight.) The bike died about the 8th day. I put in a new battery because I was in the middle of nowhere and could not charge the old battery. The new battery died in 2 days... Seems like something in the charging system is bad and I am worried about how I am going to get the dealer to properly find it this time. I live in Florida and the bike is going back out to Denver in a week for another 2,500 mile ride. Any tips would be appreciated.

DICKW · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:36:41 AM »

Seems to me you do have a charging problem.

I would think the dealer should be able to isolate the problem and resolve the issue.

There are only so many things it could be, I would have to say.....tell the dealer what you told us, that should give them plenty to go on.

Fired00d · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2009, 08:18:51 AM »

Charging issue I would think it would either be the stator or voltage regulator (especially since the battery has been replaced). If there is a constant draw on the battery they should be able to hook a meter to the battery and see if something is constantly drawing on it to make it go down.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Screamin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2009, 08:32:09 AM »

Agreed but always check the cheap stuff first. Cable ends.

softail · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2009, 08:38:52 AM »

I appreciate the responses. Of course I have told the dealer the nature of the problem the last 2 times. This time I am going to insist he put his best mechanic at troubleshooting electrical problems on the bike. I also downloaded what all of the appropriate readings should be while troubleshooting and am going to ask him to confirm to me what they all are.

On a possibly related note, my bike seems to be exceptionally hot. I have an 03 softail with a 103, an 07 Streetglide with a 103 but this is my first 110. Is it the nature of the beast? Some times it is so hot I swear I can smell the oil cooking.

mrmagloo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2009, 10:07:16 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 12, 2009, 08:38:52 AM

I appreciate the responses. Of course I have told the dealer the nature of the problem the last 2 times. This time I am going to insist he put his best mechanic at troubleshooting electrical problems on the bike. I also downloaded what all of the appropriate readings should be while troubleshooting and am going to ask him to confirm to me what they all are.

On a possibly related note, my bike seems to be exceptionally hot. I have an 03 softail with a 103, an 07 Streetglide with a 103 but this is my first 110. Is it the nature of the beast? Some times it is so hot I swear I can smell the oil cooking.

Yep

miker · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2009, 10:19:40 AM »

It may cool down a little with new oil and a few miles..

The metal temperature measured at the rear cylinder head near the spark plug on my 09 cuse has dropped to 380 ish from over 420 when new...Oil temps went from 290-310 with synlube and new motor to 260-270 with the oil change and the mileage.

I have 5k in miles and it has Mobil 1 Vtwin in the crank...still warm though...We'll see what the new pipe, tune and crankcase oil I have for it do.

You can only get so much out of the 09 narrow band o2's, maybe the 2010 lambda will be better to tune.

Just my experience, you results may vary..

Robmay · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2009, 06:13:37 PM »

Yes this seems to be the nature of the beast. Tell ya where I'm at at the moment: trade my cuse4 and softail on a 2010 stock ultra (black of course) and do a simple mod to a 103. Took my roadglide from a 96 to a 103 with mild 203 cams and it was perfect for me. No matter what it cost me to trade.....I'm done with the 110 dance.

Texas 103 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:24:40 PM »

Quote from: softail on August 12, 2009, 08:38:52 AM

I appreciate the responses. Of course I have told the dealer the nature of the problem the last 2 times. This time I am going to insist he put his best mechanic at troubleshooting electrical problems on the bike. I also downloaded what all of the appropriate readings should be while troubleshooting and am going to ask him to confirm to me what they all are.

On a possibly related note, my bike seems to be exceptionally hot. I have an 03 softail with a 103, an 07 Streetglide with a 103 but this is my first 110. Is it the nature of the beast? Some times it is so hot I swear I can smell the oil cooking.

DO a real simple test...put a voltmeter on it while it's running...should be able to hold 13.0+ then load it up turn on everything electricial, seat, spots everything... rev it up off of idle 2000-2500 should be ok and watch what happens to the voltage. If it drops or moves very litle ...it isnt' charging. the right way to do it is with an amp guage so you can see how may amps it's really charging with a load. Sometimes they will charge just enough to move the voltmeter a little and put the light out but not enough to keep it charged. Someone else mentioned cables...Make damn sure they are tight both a the battery, ground and starter. I better shut up now as electricial isn't my strong suit. The oil is cooking if you have that friggin Syn 3 in it..get that chit out of there go to Amsoil, Redline. Mobil1 anything is better than that...

Ultrajeb · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2009, 05:42:46 AM »

Quote from: Robmay on August 12, 2009, 06:13:37 PM

Yes this seems to be the nature of the beast. Tell ya where I'm at at the moment: trade my cuse4 and softail on a 2010 stock ultra (black of course) and do a simple mod to a 103. Took my roadglide from a 96 to a 103 with mild 203 cams and it was perfect for me. No matter what it cost me to trade.....I'm done with the 110 dance.

Hey Robmay, reading of your posts when you got the 09, thought you wer pleased with the bike. After reading some of your posts, I got the v&h monster ovals. I have about 2,600 miles on mine and so far pleased. As far as electrical, there was a short in the antenna wire that the the switch housing was giving me a shock at 80 mpg but they found that and the radio plays much louder now with out tingles.

DICKW · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2009, 06:07:03 AM »

Quote from: Robmay on August 12, 2009, 06:13:37 PM

Yes this seems to be the nature of the beast. Tell ya where I'm at at the moment: trade my cuse4 and softail on a 2010 stock ultra (black of course) and do a simple mod to a 103. Took my roadglide from a 96 to a 103 with mild 203 cams and it was perfect for me. No matter what it cost me to trade.....I'm done with the 110 dance.

Rob
I wonder how many people are thinking the same thing, now this would be a good to read Thread.

Gecko · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2009, 07:25:13 AM »

Quote from: DICKW on August 13, 2009, 06:07:03 AM

Rob
I wonder how many people are thinking the same thing, now this would be a good to read Thread.

I've always said if I could get anywhere near what I have in mine it would be gone like a wild goose in winter.

FR8TRN · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2009, 07:59:49 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 12, 2009, 07:32:20 AM

I have a 2009 Screaming Eagle Ultra that is going into the shop for the 3rd time. When I leave on a trip and the bike is not on the trickle charger the battery will eventually die. The dealer has said 2x there is nothing wrong and the battery just needs charged. The most recent time I ran the bike about 2,000 miles over 8 days and the only "extras" were a Zumo GPS and Kurykayn driving lights. (I do have an HID headlight.) The bike died about the 8th day. I put in a new battery because I was in the middle of nowhere and could not charge the old battery. The new battery died in 2 days... Seems like something in the charging system is bad and I am worried about how I am going to get the dealer to properly find it this time. I live in Florida and the bike is going back out to Denver in a week for another 2,500 mile ride. Any tips would be appreciated.

You have a voltmeter on the dash, it may not be 100% correct but it should be atleast close. What does it read at idle and at speed??? Should be around (slightly over) 12V at idle and 14V at speed. Does it go up any with increase in RPM's, does it stay the same?? If it goes up it's likely the regulator, if it stays the same it's likely the stator.

miker · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2009, 08:09:16 AM »

Quote from: Robmay on August 12, 2009, 06:13:37 PM

Yes this seems to be the nature of the beast. Tell ya where I'm at at the moment: trade my cuse4 and softail on a 2010 stock ultra (black of course) and do a simple mod to a 103. Took my roadglide from a 96 to a 103 with mild 203 cams and it was perfect for me. No matter what it cost me to trade.....I'm done with the 110 dance.

Trade square for a limited...gots a 103 , not the 103 but a 103, yameen?

softail · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:07:23 AM »

Thanks to all. The voltmeter fluctuates very little. At idle, (1,000 rpmish) it is probably around 13.8 or 13.9. At 3,000 RPM under load it is normally at 14 or 14.1. When I was riding with a dead battery I had just jumped it was up to more like 14.2 but most of the time there is little movement. Thanks for all of the tips and what should measure at the battery etc. It is going to the dealership first but if they tell me there is no problem AGAIN I will do my own troubleshooting. Maybe I will measure everything when I get it back anyway just to be sure.

Oil- My dealership will NOT let you put anything but HD oil in the bike... yeah I know they aren't supposed to force you to do that but they do.

miker · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:08:21 AM »

What dealer is that?

Screamin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:11:27 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 13, 2009, 10:07:23 AM

Oil- My dealership will NOT let you put anything but HD oil in the bike... yeah I know they aren't supposed to force you to do that but they do.

I'd find another place to get it changed or do it yourself. My dealer is now stocking Amsoil along w/ the H. D. stuff. I think they get something like $75 to do an amsoil change w/ filter.

softail · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:17:22 AM »

Gulf Coast in New Port Richey Florida. I should double check because the tech who told me that was fired but I never asked why.

DICKW · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:18:49 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 13, 2009, 10:17:22 AM

Gulf Coast in New Port Richey Florida. I should double check because the tech who told me that was fired but I never asked why.

There's a thought.

miker · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:20:35 AM »

Always try and talk with the SA, if you get the same load of crap ...You have other shops up there, indies too...

softail · « **Reply #20 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:22:22 AM »

Well if they try to tell me there is nothing wrong again that is pretty much my only option.

Robmay · « **Reply #21 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:23:14 AM »

Quote from: Ultrajeb on August 13, 2009, 05:42:46 AM

Hey Robmay, reading of your posts when you got the 09, thought you wer pleased with the bike. After reading some of your posts, I got the v&h monster ovals. I have about 2,600 miles on mine and so far pleased. As far as electrical, there was a short in the antenna wire that the the switch housing was giving me a shock at 80 mpg but they found that and the radio plays much louder now with out tingles.

Sorry for the slight HiJack Softail!! Please forgive me.

I love everything about the bike except the engine heat and noise. I recently added the non cat pipe and had it ceramic coated which helped. I also added a Super race tuner which made the ride even better. I had a RG that I upgraded from a 96ci to a 103ci that I loved the ride of and it gave me good power and driveability. I may have to eat my words if the numbers are WAAAAY off. Then I will have to do some mods with cam spacers and such that I have read about here. I have this weird clattering noise (which the header addition and sert did not help) that does not appear to be the lifters (my take is its cam tensioners) and its getting worse. My local dealer doesn't hear it but another dealer 110 miles away does and is willing to go into it. I will let them if I cannot trade "up" at this time.

Robmay · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:24:14 AM »

Quote from: miker on August 13, 2009, 08:09:16 AM

Trade square for a limited...gots a 103 , not the 103 but a 103, yameen?

Don't like the purple.

Robmay · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:26:36 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 13, 2009, 10:07:23 AM

Oil- My dealership will NOT let you put anything but HD oil in the bike... yeah I know they aren't supposed to force you to do that but they do.

Same dealer that thinks there is no problem with 2 dead batteries???

That is the thing that makes me. hmmm frustrated to say the least. I think they get in a hurry sometimes (okay, most oif the time).

Robmay · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:27:34 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 13, 2009, 10:17:22 AM

Gulf Coast in New Port Richey Florida. I should double check because the tech who told me that was fired but I never asked why.

PM sent.

mrmagloo · « **Reply #25 on:** August 13, 2009, 10:48:15 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 13, 2009, 10:07:23 AM

Oil- My dealership will NOT let you put anything but HD oil in the bike... yeah I know they aren't supposed to force you to do that but they do.

Sounds like you need a new dealer...

softail · « **Reply #26 on:** August 17, 2009, 12:46:16 PM »

Update- Finally received an answer from the dealership. They said I had a bad security module, which was draining the battery. Of course they don't want to pay for a new battery and they want me to eat the cost. (I had to buy a new battery while on the road and ditch the stock battery as there was no where to charge the original. And of course I couldn't carry the dead one with me or ship it home.) I have escalated my concern to the sales manager for all 3 local dealerships who seemed much more inclined to see my point of view. If they had found the problem the first 2 times I complained I wouldn't have had to ditch my battery in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks again.

miker · « **Reply #27 on:** August 17, 2009, 12:53:09 PM »

They owe you a battery and a oil change for the hassle but you should prolly bring just yer biz elsewhere anyway.

Robmay · « **Reply #28 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:14:46 PM »

Quote from: softail on August 17, 2009, 12:46:16 PM

I have escalated my concern to the sales manager for all 3 local dealerships
Thanks again.

He should take care of it for you.

grc · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:27:31 PM »

Quote from: softail on August 17, 2009, 12:46:16 PM

Update- Finally received an answer from the dealership. They said I had a bad security module, which was draining the battery. Of course they don't want to pay for a new battery and they want me to eat the cost. (I had to buy a new battery while on the road and ditch the stock battery as there was no where to charge the original. And of course I couldn't carry the dead one with me or ship it home.) I have escalated my concern to the sales manager for all 3 local dealerships who seemed much more inclined to see my point of view. If they had found the problem the first 2 times I complained I wouldn't have had to ditch my battery in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks again.

You know, I think you've given them way more chances than they deserve. You need to contact H-D directly and have them explain to this dealer how the chit is supposed to be handled. The defective module killed the battery (the same module they didn't find the first two times they just blew you off rather than do the diagnostics). The defective part caused the subsequent failure of the battery, therefore the battery is covered and the causal part is the module. They should do a capacity check on the current battery also, since drawing it down repeatedly like that will reduce it's life drastically as well. If the load test shows a loss of capacity, they should replace it with a brand new one again.

You really need to find someone else to work on your bike in the future. I don't think I would go there for a T-shirt, much less let them actually touch my bike.

Jerry

softail · « **Reply #30 on:** August 17, 2009, 02:08:59 PM »

LOL I totally agree Jerry they won't get my business going forward. And it is not the first problem I had with them. I am a pretty easy going kind of guy who likes to give someone a 2nd chance but this time they pushed me too far.

skreminegul07 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 18, 2009, 09:41:31 AM »

Quote from: softail on August 17, 2009, 02:08:59 PM

LOL I totally agree Jerry they won't get my business going forward. And it is not the first problem I had with them. I am a pretty easy going kind of guy who likes to give someone a 2nd chance but this time they pushed me too far.

I guess I do not know why with an 09 bike with 2 year warranty, would you have paid for a battery that HD declared as dead?

softail · « **Reply #32 on:** August 18, 2009, 09:44:34 AM »

HD didn't declare the battery dead. I was in the middle of nowhere when it died and had to buy a new battery to get back on the road. I left the old one there so now they don't want to warranty it.

DESERTBEAR54 · « **Reply #33 on:** August 18, 2009, 11:38:05 AM »

Stupid is Stupid Dealer!!!!

softail · « **Reply #34 on:** August 18, 2009, 11:41:58 AM »

The sad part is I have purchased 4 bikes from them and lord knows how much chrome, engine upgrades etc from them. What could the battery cost them $50-$75 max.

Hi my name is Larry, I am a chromeaholic and it has been 2 weeks since my last chrome.

Robmay · « **Reply #35 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:32:16 PM »

So sorry to hear this Larry.

softail · « **Reply #36 on:** September 16, 2009, 12:44:43 PM »

New update- I took the bike on another 2,200 mile trip. I rigged a solar powered charger I used on and off. The bike worked fine until I washed it. When I went to start it I had to get a jump. I drove 65 miles to the nearest HD shop who said the battery was fine but the cables were lose. They tightened them of course and the next 4 days went problem free. The bike was on the truck for a week and started right up when I took delivery. Yesterday I washed it, started it up and put in the garage. Last night it wouldn't start again. The tender says it is charged, all of the lights come on and I hear the electronics spin up but when you push the start button it just goes click, click, click. This will now make 4x for the same problem. I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection to washing the bike. Any thoughts?

DICKW · « **Reply #37 on:** September 16, 2009, 12:55:41 PM »

I had a problem starting the bike after washing it when I first got my bike in March 09.
I complained to the dealer, they said wash it with the side cover on....I told them to KMA these bikes are suppose to be waterproof.....yada yada yada.

They told me to bring it in, they (sounds goofy) put silicone in all the conduits/sleeves (whatever you feel like calling them) that surrounds all the cables/wires. Zipped tied them up ....silicone hardened up.

I wash the bike however I want with no issues anymore, side covers off, seat off, down to parade rest if I want.

That may not be your issue, but you did ask if anyone had problems after washing.

That's my story.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #38 on:** September 16, 2009, 01:00:25 PM »

Quote from: softail on September 16, 2009, 12:44:43 PM

New update- I took the bike on another 2,200 mile trip. I rigged a solar powered charger I used on and off. The bike worked fine until I washed it. When I went to start it I had to get a jump. I drove 65 miles to the nearest HD shop who said the battery was fine but the cables were lose. They tightened them of course and the next 4 days went problem free. The bike was on the truck for a week and started right up when I took delivery. Yesterday I washed it, started it up and put in the garage. Last night it wouldn't start again. The tender says it is charged, all of the lights come on and I hear the electronics spin up but when you push the start button it just goes click, click, click. This will now make 4x for the same problem. I am beginning to wonder if there is a connection to washing the bike. Any thoughts?

When it's not starting are you sure the battery is dead/down? Rather than a dead battery you might also have a problem with a starter relay or the starter itself.

softail · « **Reply #39 on:** September 16, 2009, 01:52:08 PM »

Hey Dick that is helpful and it is exactly what I was looking for. If someone else has had the same problem as me then the odds are it is not an isolated case.

I would certainly like to think the dealer checked the starter especially since they are the ones who keep telling me it is the battery, but no I can't swear to it. Is there anyway I can do at least a basic check of the starter?

Author Topic: 2009 FLHTCUSE4 Electrical Problems (Read 9080 times)