thought i'd try to get some input here before tearing into the bike.

i got a 2002 fxst i bought new in '02. have about 48,000 miles on it.

early this year, i was having an intermittent problem with my starter button. every now & then i would hit the starter button with no reaction - bike didn't crank over.
keep pressing start button & it would crank over.
this would only happen occasionally, but the frequency increased until it just wouldn't crank at all no matter how many times i pressed the start button.

i pulled the seat & noticed the start relay was clicking when i pressed the start button - replaced relay with new & bike was fine for a couple of months & a few thousand miles until the same thing started happening - intermiitent problem until it just would not crank at all.

again - replaced relay & all is well.

something has got to be killing the relay though.

any ideas on where to start?

i am assuming wiring is ok from switch to relay, due to the fact that power is getting to the relay.

possibly starter solenoid?

any inpuit is appreciated.

 

"something has got to be killing the relay"

Correct.

Replace the starter switch, it's cheap money.
If you get more life out if it then you're all set.
If not then the problem is at the starter...

 

thanks for the input.
i will try that 1st.
the switches i have on there now are chrome aftermarket. gonna put my oem ones back on.

hope this is the answer, but seems unlikely as the power is getting from the switch to the relay.

 

I've got the same problem. Same symptoms too. The last time I hit the relay (tapped really)
while holding the start button, that's how I determined it was the relay. Let us (ME) know what you find. I also added a starter solenoid button, And I'm glad I did, because it's doing it again.

 

Took off seat removed start relay, and took it apart. The contacts between 87 and 30 had some burn/arch marks on the contacts. Cleaned it off bent the contacts a little closer (for better contact. Harder contact when energized. Now I'm not getting the intermittent, maybe, maybe not starter.

 

The burn ends are usually a sign of a bad ground. You are going to be put in more relays until you find the source of the problem.

 

No, not really. I over stated the burnt, actually it's black from arching over a not that good of a contact. Just cleaned it off, no evident pitting, so all's good. I see this type of thing on large electrical motor contactors all the time.
I had the relay apart, plugged it back in and pushed down
(gently) on the contacts (between 30 and 87 normally open contacts) starter turned right over. Every time.

 

Check your voltage at the relay coil terminals.

Bob
97 Heritage

 

if the relay switched terminals are burning up, i would suspect a bad grd from frame to battery or bad starter solenoid.

 

I checked the voltages, both from the start switch and from the battery. Both 12.45 volts. I've seen this before, when you get carbon deposits between the contacts. Just cleaned it up. Works great now. It could me me too, I have a habit of not holding the start button down long enough, just a quick hit to get the starter turning, and engine started. But next time I'm under there I'll check the starter grounding.