I have a 1998 Dyna Wide Glide. The engine will not turn over. When I push the starter button, I hear a click and the lights dim, then another click and the lights brighten back up. The battery is fully charged. I'm trying to figure out if it is a relay or the solenoid. Does anybody have clue what this could be?

 

The battery is junk. Pull it at have it load tested at a local auto parts place.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try when I get home.

 

Rule of thumb when dealing with anything electrical is to rule out the battery and terminals before venturing on. Too often it is the battery. I get about 2.5 yrs out of the batteries on my Dyna if lucky. Genuine HD batteries seem to last 6 months longer and fit better than generic batts.

 

Well, I put a new battery on it and it is still doing the same thing. Where should I look now?

 

Do you have a AC/DC/Ohm meter? If not trailer it to a mechanic. If you do, hook it up to battery report back 5 voltages. Volts at cable and at lead on battery. On cables, key off, key on and when you hit start.

 

Could be any one of the starter system components giving you a problem. Eliminate the easy ones before doing anything drastic. You've already done the battery, but like Ripsaw said, check the new one....if the new one is sufficiently charged (believe me, sometimes especially in auto part stores, motorcycle batteries will sit a LONG time and a "new" battery isn't charged at all). the next thig i'd check is the starter relay. Very often the culprit. Check those terminal wires going from the battery, connections to the starter, the ground, everything you can see. Make sure all the connections are good and there isn't any damage to any of the wires. Hopefully its one of these easy items and the problem gets resolved.

 

Yes...meter the battery @ different condition (stated above) and then it can be ruled out. Even new...they sit & lose charge.

 

Yes. The simple stuff first. With a simple $20 meter, you don't have to start undoing anything. Especially for nothing.
And even a brand new battery may only be at 80% .

 

Connect your voltmeter to the battery posts, read voltage with ignition switch off.

Read voltage ignition switch on.

Read voltage with ignition switch on, start button pressed.

What are your readings?