2000 Heritage Classic---No Start

[Ratfade]

Tonight my softail, the one everyone helped me with on carburetor jetting, is staying in a McDonald's parking lot. After getting gas and something to eat, the bike behaved as if the kill switch were on (it wasn't). When the ignition switch is turned on, I get:
1. No headlights, passing lamps, or taillights;
2. No red "engine" light in the speedo;
3. No illuminated "N" indicator;
4. No start---no crank---nothing.

I do get:
1. Turn signals;
2. Brake lights;
3. Horn

I checked the fuses, and they are all intact. I'll have the bike towed back to my house tomorrow unless I figure something out in the interim. The only thing I can think of that might be a common source of power to all these things is maybe the starter relay. No power but no short (ie., no blown fuses) is puzzling.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

[FSG]

Turn signals, Brake lights and the Horn are powered via the 15Amp ACCY Fuse.

I'd be checking the Ignition Switch itself, make sure you're getting 12 V to the R/Bk (Red/Black) when the Ignition Switch is in the ON/Ignition Position.

[Hossamania]

Did you turn the ignition switch to accessory instead of ignition?

[Pete_Vit]

Did you turn the ignition switch to accessory instead of ignition?

fixed  (cleaned up)  a guys Fatboy at a bar one day, same type of issues, turned out to be the ignition switch - worth a try, easy to clean and replace if needed.

[Hossamania]

Did you turn the ignition switch to accessory instead of ignition?

fixed  (cleaned up)  a guys Fatboy at a bar one day, same type of issues, turned out to be the ignition switch - worth a try, easy to clean and replace if needed.

I actually turned mine counterclockwise one time, could not figure out what was going on for a few minutes. Then, turned it clockwise, bike fired up, and I was relieved and an idiot.

[Pete_Vit]

Did you turn the ignition switch to accessory instead of ignition?

fixed  (cleaned up)  a guys Fatboy at a bar one day, same type of issues, turned out to be the ignition switch - worth a try, easy to clean and replace if needed.

I actually turned mine counterclockwise one time, could not figure out what was going on for a few minutes. Then, turned it clockwise, bike fired up, and I was relieved and an idiot.

ya ever try turning the ignition switch from the front of the bike, I do this occasionally checking h-lights and wonder why my lights don't work  I was also " relieved and an idiot."

[Ratfade]

I wish it were one of those "turned the switch backwards" scenarios, but I got that part right. Looking at the service manual this morning, there is a diagnostic section on "no crank, no engine light". That's what I've got. According to the diagnostics, it's a broken wire, bad ignition module, or bad kill switch. I'm sure I'll be back here asking how to run the tests with no breakout box. 

[FSG]

do the simple things first, make sure you are getting 12 volts to the other fuses when the ignition switch is turned on

[Ratfade]

Got the bike back in the garage and took FSG's advice to check simple stuff first. Checking each fuse, I have 12+ volts only at the accessory fuse, which apparently meters the horn and odometer. All the rest, ignition, battery, lights, and gauges get nothing. So I guess the question is what's the common power source for those things. I'll begin with the service manual diagnostics and see what happens, at least until I reach the limits of my competency:-).

[FSG]

The Ignition Switch, probably a fooked contact.

[twincam8888]

The Ignition Switch, probably a fooked contact.

[Ratfade]

You guys are the best geniuses . I took the canopy off and jiggled the connection at the ignition switch and voila!; everything worked. Even simpler than the simple stuff I was checking.
Thanks again.

[FSG]

So has one of the connectors loosened, worn or burnt, what about the male connectors on the switch itself?



http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php?topic=69498.0

[88b]

I've had two friends with Softail have the ign switch fail. I made up a wire with three male spades and jumped the switch to get them home . Use the kill switch to stop the motor .

[Ratfade]

So has one of the connectors loosened, worn or burnt, what about the male connectors on the switch itself?



http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php?topic=69498.0

It was a loose female connection to the right-side spade as shown in your pic. The under-canopy wiring had the look of someone being in there before, possibly when the after-market tach was installed.
I might consider ordering an ignition switch and the female connector just to have them available.

[Pete_Vit]

So has one of the connectors loosened, worn or burnt, what about the male connectors on the switch itself?



http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php?topic=69498.0

It was a loose female connection to the right-side spade as shown in your pic. The under-canopy wiring had the look of someone being in there before, possibly when the after-market tach was installed.
I might consider ordering an ignition switch and the female connector just to have them available.

that's what I did when mine failed the first time, kept it on my bag  never failed again