Electrical/Lighting/Alarm Having electrical problems? Discussion on everything electrical and lighting systems.

Cranks, won't start drains battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 11-08-2018, 04:41 AM
jayelrider's Avatar
jayelrider
jayelrider is offline
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Long Island
Posts: 77
Received 26 Likes on 10 Posts
Question Cranks, won't start drains battery

2012 Dyna FLD 103. SE air cleaner. V&H slip on.

The starter will crank for a max of three attempts but not turn over, after that just get the click.

This problem started a few weeks ago, when the weather started getting cold (?).

It is always on a tender and that didn't show any problems.
Thinking it was the battery I replaced that with a standard battery from the local AutoZone. It did turn over one time but then would not.

I had FL-XiED-10 installed and thought it might be a fault with that so I removed it. No improvement.

Before I have the local independant shop pick it up, is there anything else that I should try?

I've bought a FuelMoto Micro EFI and it is programmed for the bike and ready to install, will that help?
 
  #2  
Old 11-08-2018, 07:13 AM
Ed Ramberger's Avatar
Ed Ramberger
Ed Ramberger is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Then Wisconsin, now North Carolina
Posts: 3,172
Received 887 Likes on 621 Posts
Default

Doesn't matter how new the battery is - have it load tested
 
  #3  
Old 11-08-2018, 08:20 AM
Zanthamos's Avatar
Zanthamos
Zanthamos is offline
Outstanding HDF Member

Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,415
Received 431 Likes on 360 Posts
Default

Back to Auto Zone you go to do . What is the power looking like at the batt during and after cranking? If batt is fine then I would go Start Relay then Solenoid, maybe either is overheating.
 

Last edited by Zanthamos; 11-08-2018 at 08:21 AM.
  #4  
Old 11-08-2018, 08:27 AM
awilson40's Avatar
awilson40
awilson40 is offline
Road Warrior

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,736
Received 1,384 Likes on 515 Posts
Default

I tell ya, load testing wont tell the whole story either. I have had 2 batteries that load tested fine but wouldnt crank my bike on cold days.
This has been the best battery that I have had so far.
https://bigboarproducts.com/collections/batteries
 
  #5  
Old 11-08-2018, 08:51 AM
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Jackie Paper is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Honah Lee
Posts: 34,193
Received 4,532 Likes on 3,784 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by awilson40
I tell ya, load testing wont tell the whole story either. I have had 2 batteries that load tested fine but wouldnt crank my bike on cold days.
I have seen the same thing. These small amperage batteries are hard to check (most checkers are junk from adbuse) and also need when brand new , need a good 24 hours charge with a maintenance low amperage (below 1 amp) charge. Don't give a rats *** what they say.. Also, check the connection.

You really need a AC, ohm , DC voltmeter. Put it on the charger line when you hit the starter. Should not drop below 9.6 volts.

Also, if it does not turn over (crank to me) it's battery or connection. If it does not start, then that is another story. I am going to asume AutoZone had a AGM gell matt battery for your bike)
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; 11-08-2018 at 08:53 AM.
The following users liked this post:
awilson40 (11-08-2018)
  #6  
Old 11-08-2018, 06:05 PM
awilson40's Avatar
awilson40
awilson40 is offline
Road Warrior

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,736
Received 1,384 Likes on 515 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RIPSAW
when you hit the starter. Should not drop below 9.6 volts.
Yep, great advise ...Every time I have had issues, the battery voltage would drop below 10v while cranking.
Thats what I use as a measure for when to replace the battery.
 
  #7  
Old 11-09-2018, 05:22 AM
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Jackie Paper is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Honah Lee
Posts: 34,193
Received 4,532 Likes on 3,784 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by awilson40
Yep, great advise ...Every time I have had issues, the battery voltage would drop below 10v while cranking.
Thats what I use as a measure for when to replace the battery.

Not a bad idea. People who usually keep a maintenance charger on all the time usually get their last start at home. Then, 20 miles from home, after sitting, all they get is a grunt..clic..clic. These bikes are a bitch to push. And should never be jumped started except in an extream emergency. Running and charging a dead shorted battery can destroy the stator or regulator.

Also, a weak battery causes that starter bang and then someone sells them a starter and or sprag clutch gear (Bendix)
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; 11-09-2018 at 05:24 AM.
  #8  
Old 04-06-2019, 07:44 AM
jayelrider's Avatar
jayelrider
jayelrider is offline
Advanced
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Long Island
Posts: 77
Received 26 Likes on 10 Posts
Question Bump for some more advice

Thanks to all who responded. I am no wrench but I can follow directions well. After letting the bike sit on the Tender for three months I tested it. With the cheapo battery from the local car parts store installed and a good digital VOM I found that the 12.5v resting voltage dropped to 5.5v upon cranking. As soon as I stop cranking, the voltage jumps back up to 11.9 or so. I will take that as a positive indicator of a bad battery (dammit). What else could cause that battery voltage to drop? My knowledge is limited as far as starters and stators and such.

Recommended for me from my friends was an Interstate AGM battery. Of course the first run of the year is tomorrow and the Interstate dealer is closed until Monday.

I welcome any and all suggestions.
 

Last edited by jayelrider; 04-06-2019 at 07:50 AM.
  #9  
Old 04-06-2019, 07:57 AM
pgrchaplain's Avatar
pgrchaplain
pgrchaplain is offline
Road Captain
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: N/E Indiana
Posts: 663
Received 523 Likes on 246 Posts
Default

A fresh charged 12 Volt Battery should be 13+ Volts. Heres a Good Battery, less expensive than the Dealer.

https://www.renegadebattery.com/Powe...Battery_2.html

It's 600+ CCA!
 
The following users liked this post:
jayelrider (04-06-2019)
  #10  
Old 04-06-2019, 08:31 AM
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Dan89FLSTC is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 17,922
Received 8,482 Likes on 4,605 Posts
Default

Ripsaw, I agree with your statement that when using a battery tender all the time, if your battery or charging system goes bad, you get a good start at home, then once on the road your next start is a no go...

I think people have become obsessive about the battery tender. No need to use a tender if the bike is regularly ridden.

My 2016 Road King recently sat in storage during a move, for about 10 weeks (security system was on, no battery tender), when I finally got to move it, it fired right up.
 
The following users liked this post:
jayelrider (04-06-2019)


Quick Reply: Cranks, won't start drains battery



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:28 PM.