Starter trouble 1994 FLHTCU
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 40
From: Holland
Starter trouble 1994 FLHTCU
Goodevening!
Steph here, all the way from Holland...
I own a 1988 FLHTC as well as an FXE1200 and decided this was not enough so picked up a really clean 1994 FLHTCU.
Battery was dead so jumped it with a jumperpack at the shop that was selling it: started up no problem.
Just go home and tried jumping it with my brand new FXE battery (MASSIVE thing) and...a rattling solenoid...so used the pushbutton on the solenoid and...piston moves a fraction and that's it while both jumpercables become warm to the touch...
Checked grounds, and fitted positive cable directly to terminal of the startersolenoid and...same thing.
Then got out my Cayennebattery wich was on a tender and in perfect condition...same thing again.
Took out sparkplugs, now it cranks very very slowly and the cables become hot again.
So the facts:
- starter with a jumperpack a couple of hours ago
- batteries are fresh and easily powerfull enough for the job
- eliminated bad connections by putting positive on terminal and ground on the engine as well as starterhousing
- eliminated hydrolocked engine
So my thinking is the only thing that could be at fault here is a clapped out starter...is that right?
Hope to hear from you, thanks!
Steph here, all the way from Holland...
I own a 1988 FLHTC as well as an FXE1200 and decided this was not enough so picked up a really clean 1994 FLHTCU.
Battery was dead so jumped it with a jumperpack at the shop that was selling it: started up no problem.
Just go home and tried jumping it with my brand new FXE battery (MASSIVE thing) and...a rattling solenoid...so used the pushbutton on the solenoid and...piston moves a fraction and that's it while both jumpercables become warm to the touch...
Checked grounds, and fitted positive cable directly to terminal of the startersolenoid and...same thing.
Then got out my Cayennebattery wich was on a tender and in perfect condition...same thing again.
Took out sparkplugs, now it cranks very very slowly and the cables become hot again.
So the facts:
- starter with a jumperpack a couple of hours ago
- batteries are fresh and easily powerfull enough for the job
- eliminated bad connections by putting positive on terminal and ground on the engine as well as starterhousing
- eliminated hydrolocked engine
So my thinking is the only thing that could be at fault here is a clapped out starter...is that right?
Hope to hear from you, thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Don`t go out and start buying parts.
And don`t replace any parts unless troubleshooting has indicated the part is bad.
The starter motor is not a common failure component (but a lot of good starters get replaced
).
Make sure the battery is fully charged, and then have it load tested. Yeah, we know you say it has plenty of power, new etc.
Seriously, charge it and test it. New batteries can be bad right out of the box.
While the battery is out, clean all the cable connections: battery posts, solenoid posts and terminal, starter motor post.
If the problem persists after you do the above service, it will be time to get the voltmeter out.
Keep us posted.
And don`t replace any parts unless troubleshooting has indicated the part is bad.
The starter motor is not a common failure component (but a lot of good starters get replaced
).Make sure the battery is fully charged, and then have it load tested. Yeah, we know you say it has plenty of power, new etc.
Seriously, charge it and test it. New batteries can be bad right out of the box.
While the battery is out, clean all the cable connections: battery posts, solenoid posts and terminal, starter motor post.
If the problem persists after you do the above service, it will be time to get the voltmeter out.
Keep us posted.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Feb 25, 2015 at 04:42 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Goede Dag.
I'm with Dan. (uh... Ik ben met Dan...) Start out with a fresh charge on a good battery, clean terminals, good ground. Jumper cables themselves can be suspect. Put a volt meter from the battery negative to the battery cable where it connects to the starter. Try to start it and see what voltage you get. Compare to the voltage across the battery when you try to crank it. There are many failure points, including the starter, but it is rare for a starter to go out.
I'm with Dan. (uh... Ik ben met Dan...) Start out with a fresh charge on a good battery, clean terminals, good ground. Jumper cables themselves can be suspect. Put a volt meter from the battery negative to the battery cable where it connects to the starter. Try to start it and see what voltage you get. Compare to the voltage across the battery when you try to crank it. There are many failure points, including the starter, but it is rare for a starter to go out.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 40
From: Holland
Right then,
Smacked the starter with a plastic hammer, connected up the same battery but not with jumper cables and hey presto!
Fired right up with the solenoid switch!
When I use the starterbutton it will sometimes crank and it will sometimes do absolutely NOTHING, not even a click so I suspect a dodgy relay there?
Thanks for the advice, fingers crossed for the future!!
Smacked the starter with a plastic hammer, connected up the same battery but not with jumper cables and hey presto!
Fired right up with the solenoid switch!
When I use the starterbutton it will sometimes crank and it will sometimes do absolutely NOTHING, not even a click so I suspect a dodgy relay there?
Thanks for the advice, fingers crossed for the future!!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Right then,
Smacked the starter with a plastic hammer, connected up the same battery but not with jumper cables and hey presto!
Fired right up with the solenoid switch!
When I use the starterbutton it will sometimes crank and it will sometimes do absolutely NOTHING, not even a click so I suspect a dodgy relay there?
Thanks for the advice, fingers crossed for the future!!
Smacked the starter with a plastic hammer, connected up the same battery but not with jumper cables and hey presto!
Fired right up with the solenoid switch!
When I use the starterbutton it will sometimes crank and it will sometimes do absolutely NOTHING, not even a click so I suspect a dodgy relay there?
Thanks for the advice, fingers crossed for the future!!
I would replace the relay.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 4
Rebuild the solenoid and clean its contacts.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 296
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From: Holland
I've taken of the solenoid starterbutton-lid and cleaned the assembly but I've no idea where the relay resides....
There's a fusebox on the LHD-side behind the sidepanel and one behind the headlight inside the fairing...but that's as far as I've gotten...
There's a fusebox on the LHD-side behind the sidepanel and one behind the headlight inside the fairing...but that's as far as I've gotten...
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
The service manual should tell you exactly where it is.