Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks,
I was riding home on a happily dry country road last night on my 2008 electra 500 and the electrics completely cut out - lights went out, engine died, everything. I pulled the bike off the road and tried switching it all off and back on again but nothing happened - still no lights or starter. It was pitch black and there was not much I could do and I didn't have my phone with me so I began planning a long hitch home.

I didn't think there was much point in trying to kick it over since all the electrics were dead (so I assumed that it wouldn't get a spark), but I gave it a try anyway, and lo and behold it started and everything came back on again! Phew. I got home without further event.

I noticed that 5 minutes before the engine cut out, everything had cut out momentarily for a split second which worried me then. Also the after-market alarm system did switch itself on after I had switched the ignition off, so some electrics were working (though that implies this comes off completely independantly from the battery).

Before I get my meter out and start looking for a short or break (which will be hard to find since it now works fine), has anyone any similar experience that might offer a short cut to a solution? I don't want to get caught out like that again - I might not be so lucky next time...

Many Thanks

Hi Whoosh,
Are your fuse holders the original indian ones. I had a lot of trouble with dislodged fuses and corroded terminals causing the same symptoms. Renewing the holders with waterproof blade i.e. car type fuse holders cured the problem
Steve M

Could be an intermittent break in the wiring near the headstock where the wiring loom has to flex. My '05 Electra did this to me last winter, the wire from the battery to the ammeter had (finally) broken after too much flexing. Recovered home from work, broken wire found. As it was buried deep in the wiring loom apart from the broken bit poking out, I ran a new wire from the fuse holder to the ammeter which restored power. If that's your situation, use a proper ring terminal at the ammeter end of any new wire and allow enough wire for handlebars to turn, but not too much for it to flop loose and be mangled by the steering stops.

Regards,

Adrian

Also check your ingition switch for a poor connection, this has the same effect.

A.

Hi Whoosh - I'd like to echo what Steve M said. Problems with cutting out without warning and couldn't track it down. It was the poxy original equipment fuse holder. Replaced it as Steve M said and no more trouble. I'd recommend it as a worthwhile mod in any case. Suitable parts available very cheaply on Fleabay!
Cheers,
Geoffers.

Hi - Thanks for the advice - I will take a look later.
Regarding Fuse holder replacements, any recommendations as to which product to use instead? How did you fix this in place? I noticed that the rubber fuse holders that are sposed to keep the fuse holders in place have perished allowing them to float around...

Cheers

Woosh, the fuseholders you want are the rubber ones take spade fuses and are semi waterproof. They don't need any particular fixing, just tuck them away and tie-wrap them. As to your intermittent fault, check the dart strap from the battery.

Wiggle your ignition switch when in the on position... I bet it cuts out. Solution - don't wiggle it anymore That or it is maybe a wee loose connection under the headlight?

Just noticed, Mr H sells the fuse holders
92249 FUSE HOLDER FOR MINI BLADE £2.00