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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Starter question
1995 Heritage. More often now my electric start doesn't work, especially when bike is cold. However, if I hit the switch several times, it will work. Once bike has been ridden, it almost always works as normal, first try. I had a bypass switch installed several years ago, so there are times when I just use that. Anyways, just wondering if you guys think it sounds like something simple ( something loose), bad switch, or something else. But like I said, it always eventually works, whether on first try or after pressing button a few times. Thanks
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
If the starter relay doesn't fix your problem then run a fused (20amp) wire between your positive battery post and pin 30 on your starter relay.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 3,317
From: Cental, MI
A quick jumper from +12v to the "fire" post [either 85 or 86, the other being ground. will test fire...
Or... simply slap a new one from NAPA [Bosch 601053, or Standard MC-RLY2] into it and Ride Away!!!!!
I have had dismal performance from those cheap assed Chiwanese "will fit" Relays...
Last edited by Racepres; Aug 29, 2019 at 08:56 AM. Reason: Wrong NAPA part#
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,026
Likes: 12,549
From: South Carolina
Clean all electrical connections:
The Red/Black wire on your bike is the one to look for.
Remove the dash, remove, clean and reinstall the connectors at the ignition breaker and the ignition switch.
Unplug the large connector (dash harness to main harness) from the Dash panel and clean all the terminals and pins in the connector, make sure none are pushed out of the connector.
Do the same for the connector that goes to the right hand control switches, and while you are there, you might as well clean up all the connections for the left hand switches.
Unplug the connector at the starter relay, clean all the terminals and pins, replace the relay (get it from the dealer, it will be waterproof).
Remove and clean the connector at the starter solenoid (green wire).
Clean the starter relay ground (black wire from relay).
Another way to do this is to run a 14 AWG wire from the output side of the main breaker to pin 30 of the start relay, the wire will be protected by the main breaker. This is how the factory wired the early Softails (like my `89).
The Red/Black wire on your bike is the one to look for.
Remove the dash, remove, clean and reinstall the connectors at the ignition breaker and the ignition switch.
Unplug the large connector (dash harness to main harness) from the Dash panel and clean all the terminals and pins in the connector, make sure none are pushed out of the connector.
Do the same for the connector that goes to the right hand control switches, and while you are there, you might as well clean up all the connections for the left hand switches.
Unplug the connector at the starter relay, clean all the terminals and pins, replace the relay (get it from the dealer, it will be waterproof).
Remove and clean the connector at the starter solenoid (green wire).
Clean the starter relay ground (black wire from relay).
Another way to do this is to run a 14 AWG wire from the output side of the main breaker to pin 30 of the start relay, the wire will be protected by the main breaker. This is how the factory wired the early Softails (like my `89).
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Aug 29, 2019 at 09:31 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 2,116
From: W. MI.
Best insurance there is! I have one on both my EVOs and wouldn't be caught without one. Takes a whole 10 minutes to install.
Last edited by Bass Player; Aug 29, 2019 at 11:49 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
You have a good battery? When was the last time you replaced the solenoid contacts?
+1 on the solenoid push button.
+1 on the solenoid push button.
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