Electrical Problem with '07 M8

[JustPinItFoxxy]

Hey guys, so every once in a while my '07 M8 tends to lose all power/lights on the tach and the headlights dim so much I can't ride, most noticeably at night! She usually only does this for 10-60 seconds but it's going to get me into trouble.. Letting off the throttle doesn't help.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, any tips?
Cheers eh!

 

[fastgas]

You most likely have a bad CCU (chassis control unit) which contains the voltage regulator - you need to replace this before you burn up your stator!

 

[89sandman]

that or your stator is bad...

 

[aksnopro]

ya

ya and double check all the wires coming from your coils, (follow your spark plug wires back to the coil) the coil power wires not the spark plug wires get pinched by the gas tank and short out, theres some other pinch points for wires under the tank too.
-Aksnopro

 

[JustPinItFoxxy]

Thanks everyone I'll look into all of these possibilities!

 

[fasta76]

I would check all your electrical conections and make sure they dont have any mosture in them!! also check for any rubbing under the cover by the stearing post!

 

[RMKen]

I'm glad the sled is at your place so you can check all the wiring connections and not me. lol
Just to add the problem has occurred since we got the machine this year with 270 miles on it. It is only an accessory power problem as the engine never dies and runs good. It is worse when riding a rough trail out at night. I have checked most of the wiring and the main stator wiring plugs, thought it got better after I cleaned these to plugs, but after a few rides its still not good. Does anyone know where the chassis grounds are.
Thanks

 

[fasta76]

Have you tried to ride it with the tach unpluged? Or the lights unpluged to see if it still happens? Does the engine die down when it happens?

 

[RMKen]

No haven't tried to up plug anything yet and not it dosen't effect the way the engine runs. Sometimes it happens as soon as you start it, had no reverse to back off the truck once.

 

[fastgas]

I'm glad the sled is at your place so you can check all the wiring connections and not me. lol
Just to add the problem has occurred since we got the machine this year with 270 miles on it. It is only an accessory power problem as the engine never dies and runs good. It is worse when riding a rough trail out at night. I have checked most of the wiring and the main stator wiring plugs, thought it got better after I cleaned these to plugs, but after a few rides its still not good. Does anyone know where the chassis grounds are.
Thanks

Seriously, have your CCU replaced (or find someone who has a known working one you can try) - this is a common item that is known to fail on these sleds, and inconsistent headlights is the first sign. The accessory plug uses the same power as everything else - it just goes through the fuse first. Shorts are also known to occur under the gas tank. I believe the main grounding points are down just below where the recoil starter is and one of the two bolts that hold the bulkhead to the tunnel near gas tank (on right side) .

 

[JHG]

I believe the main grounding points are down just below where the recoil starter is and one of the two bolts that hold the bulkhead to the tunnel near gas tank (on right side) .

This is correct^^^ The stator grounds to the block between the recoil and oil bottle, the main harness grounds to the right side of the chassis in front of the fuel tank.

Does the sled only have 270 total miles on it?

The CCU can be a pain. The headlight and gauge are separate circuits coming from the CCU so if they are both dimming together then you most likely have a failing lighting coil on the stator. The ignition and the lights are separate on the stator so you could lose one without the other. If the entire harness had a bad ground then it would probably die when the lights dim. The wires under the gas tank are for the coils, servo motor, and reverse actuator. I guess you could have a short to ground on the reverse actuator wire but a doubt it, especially with low mileage. My guess is a bad stator.

 

[RMKen]

Yes the sled only had 270 miles total when we bought it this year, has about 430 miles on it now. I was thinking it is the lighting coil in the stator or one of it wiring connectors as everything dies (accessory plug as well) except the engine. Will check the grounds as well, Thanks for all the help.