XLS 1200 loosing charge.

[TheCoffeeGuy]

I have a 2000, 1200 Sportster Sport S.. with high compression engine, conventionally aspirated, I have not done anything to this bike this year but ride. Now my Battery discharges while sitting idle not running, key off. I just took the battery out and checked for continuity between the positive and negative battery leads with an ohm meter. There is continuity.

My question is should i have continuity with the key off between the battery leads? My understanding is that I shouldn't. I thougtht that there should be no flow when the key is off. last year I had the tank off while I had the rocker covers PD'd. Could I have a chaffed wire under the tank causing this?

Where should i start looking?

 

[Rich Ard]

First: what an awesome bike.

You will have continuity between battery terminals because they are connected through the innards of the battery.

Why do you think the battery is discharging at rest rather than while you are riding it? Have you taken readings immediately after shutting it off and then hours later?

 

[killerx]

There is continuity between the battery cables with the battery removed and the key off? That doesn't sound right. I would get yourself a manual, preferably a factory one. It should tell you if that is normal.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

yeah with the battery out. I have the factory manual. will have a look... t it doesn't sound right to me either.

 

[Rich Ard]

Sorry, i misunderstood. I thought you meant from the negative to the positive battery terminal.

If you have continuity from the positive cable to any ground wwith the key off, you have a short somewhere.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Thanx Rich, i thought you mis-read that, any idea where to look first? Second? Never done much on the Harley, sort of a mystery bike for me. Even though its my day bike.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Pulled each fuse in succession, still have continuity between hot and ground.

is it possible that the starter is shorting?

 

[Rich Ard]

Not likely. Do you know how to use the ammeter function on your multimeter? You can check for amperage draw from the battery and start pulling fuses to see if removing one of them lowers the draw.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Rich I will try that tomorrow. i pulled each fuse one at a time and the continuity did not falter. are you suggesting seeing what the ammeter reads across the fuse contacts or still across the battery leads?