Red Key Light on a Harley Davidson

Red Key Light on a Harley Davidson: Meaning and How to Fix

Red Key Light on a Harley Davidson

From cruisers and tourers to even the possibility of custom-made choppers, many people turn to the renowned brand of Harley Davidson for their American-made motorcycle needs.

However, a common concern that people ask about on the internet is in regards to a certain red key light that pops up on Harley owners’ bikes.

If you’re one of these people and are curious as to what this red key light means, then you’ve come to the right place.

You can expect to find detailed explanations as well as solutions to the common red key light issue on a Harley Davidson bike right here, so be sure to come along for the ride! 

What does the red key light mean on a Harley Davidson?

The red key light on a Harley Davidson acts as the internal security system indicator for the bike. Depending on how and when it lights up, it can warn of a specific issue with the bike.

What does the red key light mean on a Harley Davidson

The color red is widely associated with any kind of warning, and in the case of a Harley Davidson, this description fits right in whenever its security system is involved.

However, this red light can mean several different specific things depending on how it lights up, when it lights up, and even the model of the specific bike.

It’s also worth mentioning that other Harley Davidson models don’t even display the red light in the shape of a key, but rather just a small red dot. Take note that these two kinds of red lights indicate the same thing, which is the bike’s security system.

What does the red key light mean on a Harley Davidson?
Harley Davidson models up until 2013 have their security system indicator displayed in the shape of a small red key on the gauge, while 2014 and newer models simply display it as a small red dot.

Some Harley Davidson owners notice that the red light or red key light on the gauge only flashes briefly every few seconds, while others experience the red light staying on completely for the whole time.

Thus, it’s important to distinguish these differences to properly tell if the red light coming on is considered normal or not, which we’ll be covering in the next section.

How does the red key light work on a Harley?

The red key light or red light on a Harley Davidson can come on whenever the bike’s security system has been armed, whenever it has thrown a trouble code, or is warning you of any issues with the bike’s lighting system.

You can think of the Harley Davidson’s red light as like a check engine light (CEL) of a car, but in reality, it serves multiple purposes that may easily confuse owners.

Harleys come with either a Turn Signal Module (TSM) or a Turn Signal Security Module (TSSM), both of which can throw a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that turns on the red security light.

The red light should turn off whenever you start the bike up to signify that the security system has been automatically disabled, but in the case of a DTC, the light will stay on even while riding.

However, the explanation above is just a general summary of what you can expect whenever the red light turns on on your Harley, as it also depends on whether your bike was made before or after the 2013 model year.

Red Key Light Meaning for 2013 and Older Harley Davidson Models

When the red key light turns on the whole time for 2013 and older Harley bikes, this indicates that there is a problem with their LED lighting.

This occurs whenever you have a broken light bulb on your Harley or you’ve installed aftermarket LED lights that are not recognized by the bike’s computer.

In cases like these, you would need to have a load equalizer (or load resistor) installed on the bike’s system in order to turn off the red security light.

Red Key Light Meaning for 2013 and Older Harley Davidson Models

Red Light Meaning for 2014 and Newer Harley Davidson Models

The red light on Harleys made in 2014 or newer also turns on and blinks whenever the security system has been armed.

However, this red light can also turn on and stay on the whole time whether or not your Harley is equipped with the Security System option. 

In this scenario, this is how the 2014 and newer models warn you of an issue with the lighting system.

Take note that this also applies when the red light turns on while you’re actually riding your Harley, so it’s worth getting all your bike lights checked out for any electrical issues with them.

How do you activate a Harley Davidson Security System?

By default, the Harley-Davidson Security System is automatically activated whenever you turn the bike’s ignition to the OFF position and leave the bike untouched for 5 seconds.

How do you activate a Harley Davidson Security System

Arming the Harley Davidson Security System

In order to arm the security system of a Harley Davidson, you will have to park the bike and switch the ignition key into the “OFF” position.

Leave the bike untouched for 5 seconds to ensure that the system detects no motion. After that, the turn signals will light up two times accompanied by two beeps from the optional siren to indicate that the security system has already been armed.

As an extra indicator, you will notice either a red key light (2013 and older models) or a small red light (2014 and newer models) blink on the gauge every 3 seconds, which tells you that the Harley Davidson’s security system is up and running.

Disarming the Harley Davidson Security System

Disarming the security system on a Harley Davidson is as easy as simply turning the ignition key to the “IGNITION” position while its assigned key fob is near, which automatically tells the security module to disarm/deactivate the system.

Just like when arming the security system, the optional siren will also beep but only once. You’ll then see the red key light or small red light illuminate for 4 seconds on the gauge before turning off again.

Why is the red key light still on after my Harley starts and moves?

If your Harley’s red key light (security light) does not disappear even after starting it and riding, then the bike’s security module may have detected a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) or there is an electrical issue such as faulty lighting.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, how and when the red key light turns on will already give you an idea of what kind of issues to expect.

If the light stays fully on even as you’re riding your Harley, then it’s time to get your bike scanned for any trouble codes.

It’s also worth checking your bike’s LED lighting system, as this is one of the most commonly reported electrical issues that cause a Harley Davidson’s red security light to stay on the entire time.

Why is the red key light still on after my Harley starts and moves

Troubleshooting and Maintaining the Harley Davidson Security System

Some things to consider when troubleshooting and maintaining a Harley Davidson’s security system include checking and replacing its battery, inspecting the alarm sensor module, and wire tracing the system to make it more secure.

As we’ve discussed in the previous part, there are many different issues that can trigger the Harley Davidson security system’s red key light to come on.

This is why it’s worth talking about ways to troubleshoot and maintain the Harley Davidson’s security system to avoid such issues, and we’ve provided you with three main ways to do it below.

Replace the Harley Davidson Battery

The battery of the Harley Davidson is the heart of all of its electrical components, and just like any other vehicle, you are bound to run into electrical issues if it starts dying out on you.

Harley Davidson motorcycles come equipped with AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries from the factory, and these are made to last for only 3 to 5 years on average.

Unless you own a Harley made before 1965, a time when the bike manufacturer still used 6-volt batteries, the majority of Harley models are equipped with 12-volt AGM batteries from the get-go.

Replace the Harley Davidson Battery

With that in mind, make sure that you replace your Harley’s battery with a 12-volt one as well. You can opt for either an OEM AGM one again (pictured above) or a lithium replacement depending on what’s recommended for your specific Harley model.

To change the battery, you need to remove the compartment top on the seat that houses it and detach each of the cables from the battery (negative cable first). Untighten any screws or bolts that hold the battery down as well.

After removing the battery, make sure to clean the area using an electronic cleaning spray. You can keep spraying a certain area for about 5 seconds before spraying another area.

When putting in the new replacement battery, be sure to connect the positive cable first before the negative one. Afterward, place back all screws and bolts then put the compartment top back on the seat, and you’re done!

Inspect the Alarm Sensor Module

Another thing that’s worth checking out when troubleshooting or maintaining your Harley’s security system is the sensor module for the alarm.

In order to do this, you need something called a “spirit level” tool to check if the alarm sensor module is still maintaining its proper position. The alarm sensor module is accessible via the back end of the seat compartment.

Inspect the Alarm Sensor Module

After accessing the alarm sensor module, place the spirit level tool directly on top of it while checking if the bubbles are aligned exactly in the middle of the indicated lines on the tool.

If the bubbles do not line up with the middle lines, then the alarm sensor module has been displaced and needs to be readjusted back to its proper position.

After readjusting the module, push down gently on it to lock it in place on the fastening pad and close the seat compartment.

Wire Tracing the System

Wire Tracing the System

After doing a thorough check on both the Harley Davidson’s battery and alarm sensor module, it’s also a good idea to check the condition of the bike’s wirings.

This is where the task of wire tracing comes in, and a good place to start is by tracing the wiring from the alarm sensor that we’ve just discussed all the way to the alarm system that’s located near the handlebars.

Check for any damaged or detached wires from the locking clamps, as these can impede the normal flow of current from the sensor to the system, and reattach or fix them if necessary.

In the event of displaced or loose wires, you can simply use a flathead screwdriver to reposition them back in the right place.

Why are my Harley lights flashing?

Harley Davidson models equipped with a security system will come with motion sensors that trigger the bike’s lights to flash every time it senses any sort of movement.

Putting your Harley on “trailer/transport mode” will prevent the motion sensors from triggering due to vibrations or any movement.

If you find that your Harley’s lights flash even in the slightest of movement, then that means your security system is doing its job quite well.

However, this can be annoying whenever you need to put your bike on a trailer and haul it from one state to another. The vibrations from the road can repetitively make the lights flicker all the time, which is a surefire way to prematurely drain its battery.

This is where Harley Davidson’s “trailer/transport mode” comes in handy, and there is a general procedure to be followed on modern Harley models in order to activate it.

Why are my Harley lights flashing
How to Activate Harley Davidson Trailer/Transport Mode:
For Touring Bike Models:
Ensure that the key fob is nearby and the bike is on its kickstandTurn the ignition knob to the ON position to turn on the gauges.Turn the ignition knob to the OFF position while the red security light on the gauge is still on.Push both left and right blinker buttons at once.“TSPORT MODE ACTIVE” will be displayed on the gauge and the blinker lights will flash three times.
For Softail Bike Models:
Ensure that the key fob is nearby and the bike is on its kickstandPush the run/stop switch on the right handle downwards to turn on the gauges.Push the run/stop switch upwards to turn the gauges back off again while the red security light is still on.Push both left and right blinker buttons at once.“TSPORT MODE ACTIVE” will be displayed on the gauge and the blinker lights will flash three times.

Do take note that turning the bike on completely will automatically turn off or disable the trailer/transport mode, though this time, you’ll not run into the flashing lights issue as the security system also shuts off with it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)