Starting troubles
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2025
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Starting troubles
03 FXD with 46000 km. Wouldn’t start this morning for the first time since I’ve had it. The battery had 11.20 volts, charged it to 11.70 and it started, rode for about 45 minutes and it wouldn’t start again, also started making this loud quick clicking sound. This morning it was just one soft knock when it wouldn’t start. I got it boosted with a pack and made it home.
I’ve attached a video. Any ideas whats going on? Any help would be appreciated.
I’ve attached a video. Any ideas whats going on? Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by tcyo; Jul 24, 2025 at 11:49 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 91
Likes: 49
From: Thames Valley - England
Sounds like a bad battery, how old is it?
Charge the battery until it reaches 12.6–12.8V then let it sit for an hour or so.
If it drops to less than 12.4 volt likely the battery is faulty.
Can you get it load tested?
Check the charging output, should be 13.4 to 14.5 voltswhile running.
Charge the battery until it reaches 12.6–12.8V then let it sit for an hour or so.
If it drops to less than 12.4 volt likely the battery is faulty.
Can you get it load tested?
Check the charging output, should be 13.4 to 14.5 voltswhile running.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,587
Likes: 30,962
From: Pennsylvania
1. How old is the battery?
2. If more than 3 years old, it is probably time for a new one as a discharged battery will never recover fully from a complete discharge.
3. All the above information is good and a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) is your friend for many things electrical.
4 Also just because a battery shows good voltage does not mean it has the Amperage (cold cranking amps, CCA) to start the motorcycle. The plates wear down and the amperage decreases with age; however, the voltage will remain pretty constant. Load test should tell you how many CCA the battery has.
5. Get a quality battery for replacement, Yuasa, Big Crank, Deka, and Harley OEM are all good replacement batteries.
https://www.batterymart.com/POWERSPO...&OEM=65958-04A
https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...eka-batteries/
VOLTAGE STATE OF CHARGE
12.7 100%
12.6 75%
12.3 50%
12.0 25%
11.8 0%
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
2. If more than 3 years old, it is probably time for a new one as a discharged battery will never recover fully from a complete discharge.
3. All the above information is good and a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) is your friend for many things electrical.
4 Also just because a battery shows good voltage does not mean it has the Amperage (cold cranking amps, CCA) to start the motorcycle. The plates wear down and the amperage decreases with age; however, the voltage will remain pretty constant. Load test should tell you how many CCA the battery has.
5. Get a quality battery for replacement, Yuasa, Big Crank, Deka, and Harley OEM are all good replacement batteries.
https://www.batterymart.com/POWERSPO...&OEM=65958-04A
https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...eka-batteries/
VOLTAGE STATE OF CHARGE
12.7 100%
12.6 75%
12.3 50%
12.0 25%
11.8 0%
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,689
Likes: 3,790
From: backwoods
If it made it home after being jumper, probably battery and charging system is fine. I would probably just buy a battery, If you are bored, put a meter on there rev it up and watch voltage go up to 14.4 ish.
But what do you do with you other vehicles?
But what do you do with you other vehicles?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,730
Likes: 6,493
From: Honah Lee
Your battery is worn out. Do not jump a Harley except in an emergency.
That regulator and alternator are expensive fixes.
PS... Welcome to the HDFORUM.
That regulator and alternator are expensive fixes.
PS... Welcome to the HDFORUM.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 25, 2025 at 01:09 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 7,676
From: Poolville
Definitely sounds like a battery issue, more importantly you need to check your complete charging system Make sure it's putting out the AC volts which would be approximately 16 at idle and at least 33 volts AC at 2000 RPM.. Follow the directions on the Factory Service Manual.... If that's good then you need to make sure the regulator is regulating the voltage to the battery of at least 13.5 volts or higher above idle.. If you don't have a factory service manual you can go to the Evo section and in the top part of the Evo section there is a sticky on how to test your charging system.. It's the same for your charging system as it is for the evos..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Jul 25, 2025 at 02:26 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,689
Likes: 3,790
From: backwoods
Harley sells a jump pack. I do think using a jump pack is good diagnostic tool . If you have time charge battery. As much as I don't like load tests, its probably similar.
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,640
From: along the shore of Mishigami
FYI the voltage at idle is around 12.5, above 2000 rpm it goes up to 14.2 volts. The two phase alternator is pretty anemic, if you diagnosed everything and it leads to rectifier/regulator, try to get one from Cycle Electric, good product. If the alternator, rect./reg. is bad don't delay getting the parts replaced, one will cause a failure to the other. I would get another battery in the mean time and charge it before installing it. While you have things apart, look at the ends of short ground (earth) and the positive cable. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,730
Likes: 6,493
From: Honah Lee
Big bucks on that repair on a Harley.
And I always check a charged battery either crudly by noting while cranking, the voltage does not drop below 9.7.
Now that's with a Softail size CCA battery and a standard motor. And that's from a OEM Service manual. Bikes are going to be slightly different especially if modified and batteries with more or less CCA then manual recommends.
Done correctly, charge it with a maintenance charger 24 hours until green light is on.
Remove battery from bike and have it load tested.
My experience is most auto parts store's load tester don't work well on these small AGM glass matt low CCA batteries.
And I alway charge a new battery on the low amperage digitally controlled (solid state) maintenance charger.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 27, 2025 at 06:58 PM.