anyone have trouble with system relay?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 6
I just noticed i had my relays switched ( in wrong slots) in the fuse block of my 04 fxdli-so I put them in their correct slots and all is as normal- I guess they have the same functions and are interchangeable--the manual shows that each have only 4 functioning connections so the 5th tab on the grey is not used--- Just FWIW
Last edited by kenlani; Mar 30, 2013 at 04:23 PM. Reason: error/update
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: Rutland, UK
Yes, those are precisely the symptoms my bike had! It wouldn't start. Then it would start. And finnally no sound from the fuel pump at all and it would crank and crank and crank. I pulled the relay and found just a little bit of corrosion seeping from one of the cracks. I replaced it and now it starts / runs just fine. Cheap fix for a heart stopping symptom.
The guy at the local HD dealer asked if on turning ignition on could I hear the whine of the fuel pump. Got home and checked, and no whine !
Between me and the wife we diagnosed the problem (with help from this topic) and worked out it was the System Relay by swapping with the Starter Relay.
Symptons similar to others on here, rust coming out of one of the terminals. I am going to ACF50 the new one.
Good idea to buy a spare in case it goes while out in the sticks even though it has lasted 30K !
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
Not that long I had a problem with the starter relay. I went to start my scoot, the stop/run switch was on stop,when I turned the ignition on and the starter engauged and turned the motor over and sence it was in gear, I almost had my pride and joy go down lucky I was able to keep it up. I found some water in the starter relay. I replaced it and no prob sence. A 5 dallor part could of cost me alot more if it went down.
Anyone know if there is a waterproof relay?
Anyone know if there is a waterproof relay?
Last edited by rsking45; Jul 2, 2014 at 11:53 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 26
From: Red Rock, Arizona
Spelling
Unfortunately you can't repair a problem until you diagnose the cause. You can spend a ton of money replacing parts that may or may not be the cause. I hope the relay was not expensive. I have not heard of this relay going bad.
Did the bike set any trouble codes?
Please post a link to your original post.
Make sure you explain the problem in detail to the service writer and it is noted on the RO exactly as you explained. I would not replace parts on a bike that is under warranty. Leave it with them and hound them every day to test ride it for the problem. If you don't want to leave it, you can ride it and bring it in when it acts up and make sure your problem is noted exactly as the previous complaint, this is for Lemon Law. It is their job to fix it and if needed, take it to a different dealer.
Need more info.
CB
Did the bike set any trouble codes?
Please post a link to your original post.
Make sure you explain the problem in detail to the service writer and it is noted on the RO exactly as you explained. I would not replace parts on a bike that is under warranty. Leave it with them and hound them every day to test ride it for the problem. If you don't want to leave it, you can ride it and bring it in when it acts up and make sure your problem is noted exactly as the previous complaint, this is for Lemon Law. It is their job to fix it and if needed, take it to a different dealer.
Need more info.
CB
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Pay for the minimum labor charge to replace a $5 part that may be the problem or spend hundreds of $$ on labor to troubleshoot to verify the $5 part is bad then replace it...that is the question...
There is no way to troubleshoot this problem on this forum. Intermittent electrical problems are a serious **** to locate hands-on, even for a professional with intimate knowledge of the system with the right tools and years chasing down errant electrons. Many times even when you can duplicate the problem, you cannot find what is broken and where, so you end up swapping parts trying to verify what is going on...usually starting with the cheapest and most likely cause, like a relay.
Your decision to purchase and replace a $5 relay based on the scenario that you have outlined is a logical step and is what a professional would do in this situation. It is by far cheaper than spending 4 hours to find out that a $5 part is bad...even if the relay wasn't the problem, you have eliminated that as a possible cause and saved a considerable sum in the process.
There is no way to troubleshoot this problem on this forum. Intermittent electrical problems are a serious **** to locate hands-on, even for a professional with intimate knowledge of the system with the right tools and years chasing down errant electrons. Many times even when you can duplicate the problem, you cannot find what is broken and where, so you end up swapping parts trying to verify what is going on...usually starting with the cheapest and most likely cause, like a relay.
Your decision to purchase and replace a $5 relay based on the scenario that you have outlined is a logical step and is what a professional would do in this situation. It is by far cheaper than spending 4 hours to find out that a $5 part is bad...even if the relay wasn't the problem, you have eliminated that as a possible cause and saved a considerable sum in the process.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I did the same as another one of your responders (KBFXDLI), I cleaned the sockets where the relay plugs in and replaced the relay with dielectric grease. This has been about six weeks and I have no other issues. Don't know if the connections were just corroded or if one of the two relays went bad. I just cleaned up the sockets and replaced the relays. It seems to have done the trick. GoodLuck!
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
I see this thread was started in 2009 but by now most of you will be aware that these relays fail for fun - at least, they do in the UK, maybe our lovely damp weather has an influence there 
I'm a one man repair shop & I always keep two of each - the late Sporty's are worse, I have six of those.
It would be nice if the factory used a drop of electrical grease on the terminal sockets though - throughout the bike, not just on the relays.
I'm a one man repair shop & I always keep two of each - the late Sporty's are worse, I have six of those.
It would be nice if the factory used a drop of electrical grease on the terminal sockets though - throughout the bike, not just on the relays.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Using di-electric grease is a good idea. I use it on the spark plug caps too.