1997 sporster 883 ignition problem?

Question

when the key is off or out my battery has almost 13 volts and as soon as i turn it BOOM down to like .1 volt help?!

Answer 1

you either have a bad cell, or bad wiring! the volt drop makes me think bad cell on the battery, but since it starts at 13v im skeptical. A short could also kill the battery but it couldnt make it run down that low in seconds! If it was wiring you would also probably see sparks at that rate!

check the wiring and grounds, then if nothing else replace battery

Answer 2

a battery can show voltage but no amps, test your battery and check your cables.  anything drawing legitimately to drain it down to nothing would blow a fuse or melt something off

Answer 3

After all those answers, I don't even have to think.

Answer 4

Looks like this question has been thouroghly answered.

Replace battery first, then check the wires.

Good luck.

Answer 5

you need a new battery it don't hold charge on a load then its junk they will show full volts like that but as soon as Therese a load they wont and if its dropping that far just by turning the key on then its done but to make sure i would take the battery to auto zone or some where like that and they can put a load tester on it and see for sure but i would say its time to replace it

Answer 6

whistler is right... battery can show full charge yet have bad cell... we just delt with that on two NEW batteries... pull it and test it.. I'm sure you'll be replacing it. (you can test it in place if you find someone with the right meter)

Answer 7

I do not think that is an ignition problem, i think it is a problem with the battery or the starter. You should try replacing the battery. If that doesn't work you should take a look at the starter.

Answer 8

Sounds like a dead short to ground.  These can be difficult to track down.

Start tracing all of the wires.  Look for an area where a wire may have chaffed against metal and wore the insulation away.