2003 Shadow VLX Electrical Trouble?

Question

The problem began when the bike was hard to start. I would press the button, hear a click, then all electrical would go out. I could reach into the right side and pull on some wires and it would all come back and maybe start. A couple more tries of that and it would eventually get going.

Today on the way to work it started sputtering and backfiring and eventually died. I believe the entire electrial system went out on it on the ride in. Pulled on the wires and checked the fuses then all electrical came back. Happened again later on the drive in.

Any ideas on what could have caused this? I was thinking about taking the battery out and charging it and then making sure the battery cables were tight on there. I've looked in and haven't found any frayed or exposed wires from what I could see.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

I would make sure all connection's are clean and tighten.

Answer 2

I think guardr has it....a at least that should be your mantra of the day loose terminal,  loose terminal, loose terminal , ommmmmmmmm.

Answer 3

For future reference, always give year, make, engine size and model # when asking questions. We need all of that info to give an informed answer.

Loose battery terminals.

Bad/loose fuse box connector.

Answer 4

My '99 VLX does that when the battery cable gets a little  loose.  It doesn't take much, either, which is why it was hard to pin it down.  

Pulling on the wires is probably turning the positive battery cable just enough to re-establish contact.

Perhaps using star washers  would cure the problem.

(And expert like Jim should know what make and model a VLX is.)