I have a 1999 Ultra Classic with 49k miles. When I turn on the ignition and press the starter button, there is a .5-1 second delay before the engine cranks. I do not get a click noise. This only happens when the engine is cold. When the engine is warm it fires right up.

I installed a new Deka AGM battery and I made sure the battery cables are clean and tight at both ends. This didn’t help. Could this problem be the starter solenoid or the starter relay?

Where is the starter relay located on a ’99 Ultra? My manual doesn’t show location.

 

Here you go.

 

Yep, sounds like a lazy starter relay.

 

Could be a high resistance switch, a high resistance connection, could be a relay, could be that the starter solenoid needs the contacts replaced. I was getting delayed cranking, and it turned out to be that solenoid internal contacts were shot. A rebuild kit later and all is golden.