Hard Starting
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 101
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From: Maryland
Hard Starting
2013 103 Dyna stock, when cold regardless of outside temps it is difficult to start but worse in cool to cold weather as expected. Turn on, wait for lights, in neutral, hit starter button and starter engages but stops dead and lights go out. I can bump it a few times and it will then turn over like normal. When hot it will start like normal, only when engine is cold. This happens less with a new battery but only when it is brand new less than a year old. It began when bike was a couple years old and has slowly gotten worse. I suspect the starter possibly due to getting a little worse over the years but was hoping maybe I am overlooking something. It is getting annoying now. Any ideas and hopefully tests I can do to verify the cause before I go chasing things with parts. I have checked connections, battery voltage battery voltage but stopped there. My guess is a weak starter but not sure how to test that. Thanks in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
I would check the condition of your battery cables. Of course make sure they're tight on the battery, starter and ground. Starter relay is another thing to check as well.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
One thing you can do , is to check your voltage going to the starter , remove the single clip wire , pos on clip neg on battery terminal , turn on ignition and hit start button , you should be getting 12v + at that wire . Weak starts can destroy the mating surface inside the solenoid by pitting the copper plates , a rebuild kit is avail or you can try cleaning it up with a fine file and some fine sand paper .
Once you've ruled out battery connections ( bat load tested ) , relay and ground points , then I'd pull the solenoid and check it . Not sure I can post longer videos on posts , so do a search for Doc Harley and starters and you'll know what I'm talking about .
Once you've ruled out battery connections ( bat load tested ) , relay and ground points , then I'd pull the solenoid and check it . Not sure I can post longer videos on posts , so do a search for Doc Harley and starters and you'll know what I'm talking about .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,048
Likes: 990
you can do a starter current draw test but it will have to be benched as it is a no load test. for grins and giggles you can do a loaded test just to see what the draw is but this will be all over the place as it is not consistent.
some hard start items to check is
1. engine temperature sensor. this is used to determine fuel ratio, need a richer mix for cold starting and idle
2. fuel pressure
3. ignition issues
4. voltage drop to high
all in all, hd starters while not the best, usually are fairly dependable. you can check brushes for length and springs for not being broken or over heated which causes them to relax tension. check to see micarta insulators are below the segments but can be dressed down below the surface and excessive carbon build up and pocking which can be repaired in a lathe if not too excessive.
some hard start items to check is
1. engine temperature sensor. this is used to determine fuel ratio, need a richer mix for cold starting and idle
2. fuel pressure
3. ignition issues
4. voltage drop to high
all in all, hd starters while not the best, usually are fairly dependable. you can check brushes for length and springs for not being broken or over heated which causes them to relax tension. check to see micarta insulators are below the segments but can be dressed down below the surface and excessive carbon build up and pocking which can be repaired in a lathe if not too excessive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,561
From: South Carolina
Remove the battery, charge it and take it to an auto parts store, have them load test it (they will do this for free).
While battery is out, clean the cable terminals, both ends of both cables, and their connection points.
Once you do this and know you have a good battery you can start troubleshooting.
Don`t remove the starter, and don`t go out and buy a starter.
While battery is out, clean the cable terminals, both ends of both cables, and their connection points.
Once you do this and know you have a good battery you can start troubleshooting.
Don`t remove the starter, and don`t go out and buy a starter.
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