Sportster le giving me trouble.

[jmatneysportsterle]

2003 Sportster Le

Last time out ran great all day!! After an hour break was heading back to ramp an it started acting up!! Thought it was a fouled plug. Changed plugs same thing. It then started beeping an shut off.... finally got it started an limped it to the trailer. Once home I charged the battery, checked plugs noticed the one not firing was grey looking. Also noticed the water flow valve on exhaust was loose( tightened it up).after I charged the battery put key on, got 2 beeps,an it started for a few secs then quit. Tried to start again an after a few secs of trying it died!!!!! No cranking,no bilge,no beeps, nothing. Checked all fuses an were good. Then changed batteries same result.... ran for a sec a died any help would be great


Need to add already changed solenoid,starter

 

[Dr Honda]

Did you start it, while hooked to the charger? If you did... it could be bad. The MPEM is fragile, and they don't take a voltage surge very well.

But... on the face of the MPEM... there are some fuses. Check them. Maybe you got lucky, and one of those pop'ed.

 

[jmatneysportsterle]

I did try with the charger hooked up...... an all the fuses are in good shape...... looks like I'll be ordering a MPEM.... could a voltage regulator lead to similar symptoms? Because with a fresh charged battery it fires up for 2-3mins then it will die everything goes out

 

[Dr Honda]

I thought I read that it was totally dead. (nothing is turning on) Maybe I miss understood.


So... right now... you can put on the lanyard, and it will start? Then... after a min or so... it shuts off, and everything also shuts off?

Is that right?


If so... it may just be a bad lanyard post. The little magnetic switch inside doesn't last forever.

 

[jmatneysportsterle]

Yes it would start on a completely fresh battery for 2-3 mins. Then die, when trying to restart everything goes dead. But as of last night nothing is working.. nothing is happening no fan,bilge,lights, an no beeps at all. All fuses are good to the naked eye. Would a bad post cause all of this??

 

[Coastiejoe]

Can you confirm battery voltage?
And, I would get it load tested as well. Sounds like it can't hold. A charge based on NOTHING having power.

It is either a battery or a connection issues.

I think the no start has nothing to do with your issue. It is a side effect of not having the voltage/amperage to operate the ski.

 

[Dr Honda]

Can you confirm battery voltage?
And, I would get it load tested as well. Sounds like it can't hold. A charge based on NOTHING having power.

It is epithet a battery or a connection issues.

I think the no start has nothing to do with your issue. It is a side effect of not having the voltage/amperage to operate the ski.

Yep.


I just replaced a battery in one of my motorcycles becasue of an issue like this.


I could put it on the charger, and it would show 12v. When I'd go to start it... it would crank for a second and be flat. When I checked it with a meter... it was WAY down at 5v. Basically, the battery was shorted internally.


But... when the high cranking load hits... if you have a loose, or corroded connection... it could arch, and leave the system "Open"


So... check the battery voltage with a meter. Then, check it at the solenoid, and battery switch. I'm betting it's either a bad battery, or corroded wire.