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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sorry this was originally posted in the twin cam category but garnered no responses. Okay so I picked up a 2000 dyna about 6 months ago. I did a 509 Gear cam conversion. I've rode it trouble free almost 2,000 miles since then. The other day it wouldn't crank it'd just leave a singular click when you would press the starter button. Well I checked the battery and the date on the battery was 5 years old figured no big deal I went to the auto store and got another AGM battery. Started and ran fine but I rode it to work and it did the same thing. I figured maybe something in the charging system went out. After all the bike is 20 years old. I put it on a trickle charger in maintenance. Put it back in the bike and it cranked so I rode to a local bike shop after work and they put a multimeter on it and at 2500 rpms its putting out 14.5 volts so it is charging the battery. So my question is what is preventing it from starting. This bike has 9,500 miles on it, and according to the voltmeter the charging system was doing its job. My first thought was that the starter relay went out. I looked all over and couldn't find the starter relay. This is the only twin cam I've owned so am I missing something? Does anyone here have a hypothesis? Also I checked out a wiring diagram for a 99 that shows a starter relay but I havent located it yet. It has no problems when running just the two times starting once at home and once at work.
The starter relay is located behind the electrical cover and outer plate
Starter relay test (see image below):
Pull out and remove the electric panel cover
Remove the nuts securing the outer panel and remove the outer panel.
Disconnect and remove the starter relay from the starting circuit.
Connect an ohmmeter and 12-volt battery between the relay terminals as shown. This setup will energize the relay for testing.
Check for continuity through the relay contacts using an ohmmeter while the relay coil is energized. The correct reading is 0 ohms. If resistance is excessive or if there is no continuity, replace the relay.
If the starter relay passes this test, reconnect the relay.
The starter relay only controls whether the starter should run or not. The thing that makes the loud "click" is the starter solenoid. It is mounted on the starter itself and does two things: it engages the starter drive and it switches battery power to the starter motor. If you're hearing the click, chances are either the starter motor is bad or the solenoid contacts are bad.
The starter relay only controls whether the starter should run or not. The thing that makes the loud "click" is the starter solenoid. It is mounted on the starter itself and does two things: it engages the starter drive and it switches battery power to the starter motor. If you're hearing the click, chances are either the starter motor is bad or the solenoid contacts are bad.
It's not uncommon for the solenoid contacts to show wear. It's easy to look at them without taking much apart. On my 2000, one can be changed without removing the starter, but the other can't When I had a similar issue, I lucked out a bit. The really worn contact was the easy one to change, and the other looked fine (shout out here to cggorman, who sent me a fresh set). It's covered in the service manual, and extensively on YouTube. As John CC said, the clicking sound is almost always solenoid related, especially if the battery checks out fine.
Check the big black cable on the starter post, I'd take it off and clean it real and reinstall, also check the green wire to the starter solenoid for security and corrosion free. You mentioned you installed another battery, did it come with the little brass washers or stand offs? the battery cables should fit flush to the terminals and the brass washers or stand offs make that provision.
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Dyna starting issue
