99 Softail starting problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
I have never seen a battery read 13 anything without a charger connected to it...
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Make sure you disconnect your battery tender before taking voltage.
A 6 celled battery should read 12.6v at full charge.
A 6 celled battery should read 12.6v at full charge.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,092
Likes: 7,615
From: Poolville
I never use a tender... Currently the battery has been in storage in my house since November... Should I charge it first like I always do in spring coming out of storage or should I test a battery that sat for 4 months without being cycled?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
You can do both if you want to I was just saying that testing a battery with a tender will read 13+v and a regular agm or lead acid battery should read 12.6v at full charge as each cell should be 2.1v.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 357
Likes: 5
From: Valencia, Spain
Hi again,
I've done some tests and I'm almost sure that the matter is the battery. I've recorded the tests with my cell camera and I want to share them with you to see if you can confirm that the problem is in the new battery.
First of all, let me tell you that I'm very pleased for your answers and I want to thank you all your comments. Thanks!!!
Let's go with the videos. The first one shows hoy I tried to start the bike with the battery at full load and before cleaning all visible contacts, grounds and testing all the positive and negative nuts.
As you can see, the voltage drops a lot when I push the ignition button. I think that this indicates that the battery is bad, but would need a confirmation.
In the second one, you can see how I can start the bike with the help of a battery booster. It costs me a bit, but that is because is difficult to attach the booster to the battery.
The third shows you how the bike loads the battery while running. I would like to know if you think that this is as it has to be
So, what do you think about this? Thanks again
I've done some tests and I'm almost sure that the matter is the battery. I've recorded the tests with my cell camera and I want to share them with you to see if you can confirm that the problem is in the new battery.
First of all, let me tell you that I'm very pleased for your answers and I want to thank you all your comments. Thanks!!!
Let's go with the videos. The first one shows hoy I tried to start the bike with the battery at full load and before cleaning all visible contacts, grounds and testing all the positive and negative nuts.
As you can see, the voltage drops a lot when I push the ignition button. I think that this indicates that the battery is bad, but would need a confirmation.
In the second one, you can see how I can start the bike with the help of a battery booster. It costs me a bit, but that is because is difficult to attach the booster to the battery.
The third shows you how the bike loads the battery while running. I would like to know if you think that this is as it has to be
So, what do you think about this? Thanks again
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,428
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From: Beyond Fucital
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Ranger73 and rest of the guys, you are right on, it's 100% bad battery.
Javieret, great job on being thorough with your diagnosis and taking the videos. This will help others in the future.
Video 1- when you hit the start button, the battery dropped to 4.5 V, that's a dead battery with bad cell. Anything below 10 is bad when you push the start button.
Video 2- if bike starts with booster, then battery is bad because amps not enough to push starter, no matter volts reading
Video 3-while running at idle, this just says that your charging system is working.
Javieret, great job on being thorough with your diagnosis and taking the videos. This will help others in the future.
Video 1- when you hit the start button, the battery dropped to 4.5 V, that's a dead battery with bad cell. Anything below 10 is bad when you push the start button.
Video 2- if bike starts with booster, then battery is bad because amps not enough to push starter, no matter volts reading
Video 3-while running at idle, this just says that your charging system is working.