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

Starter problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 08:28 PM
  #1  
jason8251's Avatar
jason8251
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default Starter problems

I replaced the primary seals on my E-Glide and now I cant get the starter to work consistently. I installed everything the first time and when I hit the starter button I got a "click" over and over about 5 times.

I pulled the battery and got it tested and it failed the load test so I got a new battery. Put it all back together and same thing with the new battery.

I pulled the starter and layed it on the work bench and it works fine (solenoid pushes out and starter motor turns) with the same battery.

Assembled everything and got the "click" once again.

If I pull out the pinion gear by hand and then release the gear (while its in the primary) it works and it will crank the bike over, multiple times in a row. But then when it sits overnight I get the click again. It seems like the pinion is binding in the new jackshaft seal, that's all I can think of anyway.

Anyone have any ideas how to remedy this, I need help with this one.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 10:08 AM
  #2  
Dallas 13's Avatar
Dallas 13
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 300
Likes: 10
From: Black Hills
Default

Check the starter relay. When they go bad you get the 'click of death'.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 03:19 PM
  #3  
jason8251's Avatar
jason8251
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

Starter relay is good, if I pull out in the pinion gear by hand and then release it (while the starter is mounted to the primary)the starter works fine and turns the motor over.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #4  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

Did you open the cover to the solinoid? Once I over tightened the pos post on the starter and it rotated the tab in the solinoid and it was only making contact on one corner of the plate. Plenty to make it work fine on the bench but put it under load and nothing but a click. Just a thought.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thirsty
EVO
14
May 16, 2019 11:03 AM
marc177s
Shovelhead
13
Jun 25, 2018 06:47 AM
eglideic
Shovelhead
17
Nov 25, 2013 12:22 AM
RunswScissors
Softail Models
1
Mar 23, 2012 10:58 AM
lebert
General Harley Davidson Chat
7
Aug 7, 2010 07:03 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE