Starter killing battery?
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Starter killing battery?
Hello folks - hope you can help me on this. I have encountered an issue 2 times where a Lithium Ion battery flat-lined on me when starting the bike. The battery was no good. I purchased a new AGM battery thinking the issue was the Lithium Ion battery.
- The bike has started in the least few weeks with new AGM battery. There are no electric or mechanical changes since then; but the bike has now been sitting in my garage for a few weeks.
- the starter is the same that was on the bike when purchased
- The new AGM battery was fully charged. There is NO issue with the battery losing charge while not used.
I tried to fire up the bike today and the starter turned primary maybe 1/2 a revolution, the then could not move any further. Like before, the battery went dead...no lights..no power. Battery shows nothing. I only had the starter on for perhaps 4 seconds.
Can a bad starter intermittently throw so much amperage that the it would kill a battery? I am thinking the starter is binding....
- The bike has started in the least few weeks with new AGM battery. There are no electric or mechanical changes since then; but the bike has now been sitting in my garage for a few weeks.
- the starter is the same that was on the bike when purchased
- The new AGM battery was fully charged. There is NO issue with the battery losing charge while not used.
I tried to fire up the bike today and the starter turned primary maybe 1/2 a revolution, the then could not move any further. Like before, the battery went dead...no lights..no power. Battery shows nothing. I only had the starter on for perhaps 4 seconds.
Can a bad starter intermittently throw so much amperage that the it would kill a battery? I am thinking the starter is binding....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
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From: Carlsbad, CA
If the bike sat in the garage for a few weeks without running, or without a battery tender attached, parasitic drain through the bike could have discharged the battery. Get the battery charged, then hook up a deltran battery tender, when yo are not using the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
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From: Carlsbad, CA
Have the battery load tested.p, sometimes they develop a surface charge.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
The starter can not draw so much power that a fully charged battery would go dead in a few seconds.
The cables could not carry that much amperage, they would melt.
There is no possible way that a fully charged battery went dead in a few seconds...
As Pop says, it sounds like a poor electrical connection.
Disconnect and clean all battery cable connections (don`t just check that they are tight, take them apart and clean), both negative and positive.
Charge the battery and have it load tested.
Don`t run out and buy a new starter.
What is the year and model of bike?
The cables could not carry that much amperage, they would melt.
There is no possible way that a fully charged battery went dead in a few seconds...
As Pop says, it sounds like a poor electrical connection.
Disconnect and clean all battery cable connections (don`t just check that they are tight, take them apart and clean), both negative and positive.
Charge the battery and have it load tested.
Don`t run out and buy a new starter.
What is the year and model of bike?
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jan 31, 2020 at 08:50 AM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Thanks all for assisting...I find it strange as well that starter could do this...I already tried to check and clean cables, but will do that again...the fact that the bike started fine for several times, then this happened is suspect...I will take the battery out, try to charge and test this weekend and report back. The bike is a 2006 custom built modified softail with 124 S&S, BDS drive, etc....
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Hello all: I spoke with neighbor who is a car guy and electrical engineer. We tested the battery input and output. The battery is not taking a charge...the battery is dead... His "theory" is that the battery is not powerful enough to turnover the 124 S&S engine and that the plates inside the battery were compromised or something was ruptured....again just theory....."if" that were the case, it may be a cheap battery. He suggested a more powerful battery, but I am not sure I can get one in the specific size I need.
Lastly, would it be advised to add compression releases to the engine. I see that they make ones that are engineered into a spark plug fitting allowing for the release and spark plug to screw into the cylinder...just a thought
Lastly, would it be advised to add compression releases to the engine. I see that they make ones that are engineered into a spark plug fitting allowing for the release and spark plug to screw into the cylinder...just a thought
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Just an update - all my research leads to a battery that can handle a larger motor. Several feeds mentioned the S&S 124 and the need for a larger battery. All things point to a Braille B2015 high performance battery for the size that can fit under my seat. So the theory is too few CCA and Ah in the current Weize (dead) battery. Price for the Braille ($199) vs $54 for the Weize..I guess you get what you pay for....anybody else use Braille...comments on what I am proposing?..appreciate it..
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Before you overthink this anymore than you already have I'd be pulling ALL the battery cables and wire brushing clean ALL grounding spots. Loose or dirty cable connection have lead to more batteries being replaced needlessly than you want to know.
A bit of advice from a 40+ year motorcycle mechanic, ALWAYS start with the basics first before spending money and listening to what buddies say they did.
I tried a Braille in my hotrod shovel, didn't last 2 years and it struggled to turn it over even when new.
A bit of advice from a 40+ year motorcycle mechanic, ALWAYS start with the basics first before spending money and listening to what buddies say they did.
I tried a Braille in my hotrod shovel, didn't last 2 years and it struggled to turn it over even when new.