Starting issues
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Starting issues
Alright fellas, I have a 89 flhs. I started it up and was running,then it died out,tried restarting it and wouldn't fire up,ended up trailering it home and checked for voltage on the coil like it says in the manual and didn't have any voltage. Still have yet to figure out why I had no voltage at the coil but a couple days later I did have voltage again and finally fired back up. Has anybody had this problem and or have a clue of why it did that?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Follow Spanner's tip, use a multimeter to check your ignition switch - it ain't going to diagnose itself! Check continuity in each position and you may well find you don't get consistent results - which will confirm the switch is defective.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I know it's not going to diagnosis itself,just find it odd I had no voltage at the coil and then I did,but I'll check the switch like you are saying, thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 3,614
From: Picayune, Ms.
Short to ground somewhere. Moist air/dry air, making/breaking the connection.
I'd start by cleaning the battery terminals. Ignition switch contacts corroded. Ground wire to frame corroded. Try a jumper wire to ground on the starter from the battery and see if that helps.
I'd start by cleaning the battery terminals. Ignition switch contacts corroded. Ground wire to frame corroded. Try a jumper wire to ground on the starter from the battery and see if that helps.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
It's that very on/off with the voltage that makes the switch a prime suspect. With our older bikes electrical stuff is a nest of wicked gremlins waiting for their moment in the spotlights! Best of luck.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
I believe your ignition switch is the mechanical type underneath, as mine was, I swapped mine out with the electronic ignition switch, much more reliable, smoother, cheap enough, AND looks identical.
Even if not your problem, it's a great mod.
Even if not your problem, it's a great mod.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I still have my original '90 switch, when was the later one introduced? Could be worth getting one just because I now know about it!