2007 FXDL not starting
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
How old is the battery?
Here`s what I would do:
Remove the battery, charge it fully, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Before re installing the battery (if it is good) clean the battery cable terminals, at all connection points.
You can also remove the cover on the end of the starter solenoid and look at the electrical contacts inside, sometimes they get burned and eroded (rebuild kits are available).
Here`s what I would do:
Remove the battery, charge it fully, take it to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Before re installing the battery (if it is good) clean the battery cable terminals, at all connection points.
You can also remove the cover on the end of the starter solenoid and look at the electrical contacts inside, sometimes they get burned and eroded (rebuild kits are available).
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
You mentioned you ohmed out the black negative cable from the batt. to the starter. For some reason HD uses black cables for positive and negative from the batt. to the big lug on the starter (pos.) and the black neg. cable will to a lug or something on the frame. A long time ago I found the cable attached to the starter post (lug) corroded inside the cable lug and two strands were remaining. I changed that cable and my troubles went away. When you jump the bike are you connecting to the starter post and the frame or are you connecting to the battery posts? Try jumping the bike bypassing the battery. and the cables.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Switzerland
Not sure about the age of the battery. The bike is from 2007 but I bought it second hand 2 years ago. The battery may or may not have been changed by the previous owner.
I have checked the connection points, they all seem ok, and I've tried with another battery, still not turning over.
Next step, the solenoid.
Thanks!
I have checked the connection points, they all seem ok, and I've tried with another battery, still not turning over.
Next step, the solenoid.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Switzerland
I know what you mean with the colour switch. But I did follow the cables from the battery all the way to the starter for the + and to the frame for the -.
To be faire, the + cable is hardly accessible and I couldn't see whether there was corrosion under the plastic cap or not. To access it, I have to remove the plastic cage that holds the battery in place, but there is 1 screw I can't get because there isn't enough space. I'll try another technic later today, but yep I'll test that asap.
When I jumped the bike, I connected the positive on the battery and 1) the negative on the battery 2) the negative on the frame, 3) the negative on the brake disk. Same results. I haven't tried connecting the positive directly on the starter, that's a good idea!
I did try bypassing the battery. I took it aside and plugged the car directly on the + and - cables of the bike, same results.
To be faire, the + cable is hardly accessible and I couldn't see whether there was corrosion under the plastic cap or not. To access it, I have to remove the plastic cage that holds the battery in place, but there is 1 screw I can't get because there isn't enough space. I'll try another technic later today, but yep I'll test that asap.
When I jumped the bike, I connected the positive on the battery and 1) the negative on the battery 2) the negative on the frame, 3) the negative on the brake disk. Same results. I haven't tried connecting the positive directly on the starter, that's a good idea!
I did try bypassing the battery. I took it aside and plugged the car directly on the + and - cables of the bike, same results.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
You don`t know how old the battery is...
Swapping batteries and messing with jumper cables is not troubleshooting, it is a distraction.
Load test the battery before you waste any time troubleshooting.
Swapping batteries and messing with jumper cables is not troubleshooting, it is a distraction.
Load test the battery before you waste any time troubleshooting.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 1,228
From: New Hampsha
If the battery is dropping to 9.3 volts the problem isn't the solenoid. It's either a bad battery (have it tested!) or a shorted starter motor. All the other issues (cables, solenoid, etc) would reduce the load on the battery and the voltage wouldn't drop, at least not as much.
9.3 volts is not normal. 10+ is better.
The battery should have a date code on it. Sometimes its a sticker with a letter (month) and numeral (year.) D5 would be April 2015 (or maybe 2005).
9.3 volts is not normal. 10+ is better.
The battery should have a date code on it. Sometimes its a sticker with a letter (month) and numeral (year.) D5 would be April 2015 (or maybe 2005).
Last edited by John CC; Jan 21, 2021 at 03:55 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Switzerland
How do you check / fix a shorted starter motor?
Thanks for the date of the battery, I didn't know that. I'll check it tomorrow
Thanks for the date of the battery, I didn't know that. I'll check it tomorrow
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 1,228
From: New Hampsha
Check: process of elimination. If the battery is known good and the engine is not seized and the starter is drawing a lot of current (causing an abnormally high voltage drop) then the starter is faulty.
Fix: repair or replace.
Fix: repair or replace.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
A failed starter motor should be dead last on the list of possibilities..
Don`t go on a wild goose chase, troubleshoot...
First, load test the battery.
Don`t go on a wild goose chase, troubleshoot...
First, load test the battery.