I have a 2010 FXDC. I purchased a new battery (magna power from autozone) back in October of 2011. The last few times that I have tried to go ride my bike, I couldnt get it to start without jumping it. I took the battery down to autozone and had them run a check on it. The check came up good. Battery was 99% and 12.63 volts. The battery will power the lights, OD, clock, etc. When I hit the start button, all goes off and the bike wont turn over. I just ordered a battery tender and hope that will fix the problem. Does the battery tender sound like the right fix or am I missing something? I suspected that the battery had low ampere and thats why it wont turn the bike over.

 

If you have a volt meter, disconnect the battery, and see if the volts drop every few seconds, you may have a small short. A battery tender is an excellent idea. However, new battery, full charge, not working? Do you have an accessory on it that is drawing power, ie heated gear?

 

I dont have any additional accessories.
Your saying just test the battery by itself with a volt meter not connected to the bike? If the volts fluctuate that means there is a short within the battery?

 

Make sure your battery cables are good and tight. Mine have a habit of loosening with vibration. Mine wouldn't start at all unless it had a really high charge from the charger even after replacing the battery with a Magna Power in Feb. of this year. Come to find out the negative cable was slightly loose. Tightened it up a quarter turn and it started right up.

I know it sounds like common sense but just check it, also make sure the connection is clean of any corrosion or whatever.

 

I checked the connections before taking the battery to autozone. Connections were good and tight.

 

Ok. Did you check the other end of the negative cable where it attaches? Could be slightly loose there too. Didn't take much looseness on my bike to make it crank like Oprah getting up from a Thanksgiving dinner table (slow).

 

Yes, that is the indication of a short, a drop every few seconds with no load and nothing connected.

 

+1, connections both directions are often overlooked. nice reference

 

Thanks for the help. Ill check the connection on the negative cable and see if there is any voltage fluctuation and report back.

 

Would it only be hard to start on a cold engine and easy to start on a hot or warm engine? I ask because that is what mine does. Connections at battery are tight, never thought about checking the other side....