I have a 95 Sportster 1200 that is having problems starting. The tach light and headlight (both low and high beams) will also not illuminate. All other lights work fine. When I try to start the bike it does not even crank or click. It just does nothing. The battery is good and I checked the fuses, but I am not sure how to tell if they are good or bad since they are not see through.

Is there anything other than fuses that would cause this combination of problems?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

 

You could have a bad main circuit breaker or bad ingition switch. You can check the fuses with a multi meter set on ohms for continuity. Have you done any work on the bike lately?

 

Thanks for your reply!
I only replaced the battery, but that was after I started having problems.
Craig

 

I agree with John, main breaker, ignition switch or a wire off somewhere. You can also check it out with a 12 volt test light. Find your main breaker and test both sides of it with the light. It should light on both sides if it's good. From there go to the ignition switch. This is where you need the manual. You can test it to see if one of the terminals becomes energised when you turn the switch to on and de energised when it's off. Don't confuse the accesories circuit with the start circuit.

 

Also make sure your battery cables are clean, free of oxidation, you have a secure fit in the terminal socket, the wires aren't cracked anywhere and they are tightly installed.

 

I checked the battery and wires again and all appears to be okay. I also swapped out the fuses. I will try the ignition switch tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help.

Craig

 

let us know what you find, it may help someone else out

 

You guys were correct. It was the ignition. Thanks for all the help!

Craig