EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Starter issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 02:11 PM
  #131  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,442
Likes: 2,638
From: NC USA
Default

Originally Posted by Zdollar
........... when I put the positive end of my multimeter on the primary with it set to Voltage, and the negative on the negative battery terminal, it read 12.07 V. Correct me if I’m wrong but that’s a problem.....
Forget dropping $100. an another meter for now, you have other (and more simple problems)

The only way you can get that reading is if the engine/trans/inner assembly is not properly grounded... period!

You need to go back over your ground connections (with the positive disconnected) and I'm not familiar with the exact locations on the model, but it's something like - battery (-) to starter mounting bolt, another cable or strap from inner primary to frame. They HAVE to be clean and tight.

When you get all in order and if you get a spark reconnecting the battery terminal, disconnect the main cable from the starter and try again.
 

Last edited by t150vej; Sep 18, 2020 at 02:16 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 02:16 PM
  #132  
Zdollar's Avatar
Zdollar
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by t150vej
Forget dropping $100. an another meter for now, you have other (and more simple problems)

The only way you can get that reading is if the engine/trans/inner assembly is not properly grounded... period!

You need to go back over your ground connections (with the positive disconnected) and I'm not familiar with the exact locations on the model, but it's something like - battery (-) to starter mounting bolt, another cable or strap from inner primary to frame.

When you get all in order and if you get a spark reconnecting the battery terminal, disconnect the main cable from the starter and try again.
on the fxr is from battery to inner primary and then inner primary to frame. I’ve checked these connections a few times now
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 02:34 PM
  #133  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,442
Likes: 2,638
From: NC USA
Default

Originally Posted by Zdollar
on the fxr is from battery to inner primary and then inner primary to frame. I’ve checked these connections a few times now
I didn't go back to look... OK, '90 FXR. I know exactly where they are, or at least are supposed to be.

Still, no way you can get a voltage reading on the engine/trans/inner from the battery negative unless the assembly is not grounded. Trust me!

Checking continuity won't get you where you need be on those connections. You can get a good, low ohm reading but when under load, they will go away.

It could be a bad cable, rather than a bad connection. They can and will break/corrode inside the insulation, usually at or near an end terminal. Heck, your entire problem could simply be a bad cable and nothing more.

If you have some jumper cables, connect one of them from the battery negative to somewhere on the engine (where ever you can) or a heavy wire from a bolt to the battery negative just to check. Be aware, anything smaller than a 8 gauge will get real hot, real quick if you operate the starter.

Try that..........
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 02:37 PM
  #134  
Dr.Hess's Avatar
Dr.Hess
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 3,092
From: NW AR
Default

Yes, that's the meter I am talking about. It's really nice. The DC amp meter is just so handy to have. Like, how much is your car alternator charging? Clamp it around the negative battery cable and measure the current flow. How much current is that starter drawing? Clamp it around the cable and crank it. It has an Inrush setting so you can see the max at start too. Really nice. Not saying you necessarily need it now, but it is very hand to have.

Yeah, the inner primary should not read +12v. Sounds like the ground is missing. Disconnect the battery. Measure the resistance between the negative battery cable and the primary. Should be very low.
 

Last edited by Dr.Hess; Sep 18, 2020 at 02:44 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 02:50 PM
  #135  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,442
Likes: 2,638
From: NC USA
Default

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess
Yeah, the inner primary should not read +12v. Sounds like the ground is missing. Disconnect the battery. Measure the resistance between the negative battery cable and the primary. Should be very low.
Oops, he may have had the negative disconnected from the bat when he got that reading. That would show (+) voltage from the bat neg to any (normally) grounded item. Oh well...

I advised against that meter mainly out of envy - I don't have one ... yet.

 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 03:49 PM
  #136  
Zdollar's Avatar
Zdollar
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess
Yes, that's the meter I am talking about. It's really nice. The DC amp meter is just so handy to have. Like, how much is your car alternator charging? Clamp it around the negative battery cable and measure the current flow. How much current is that starter drawing? Clamp it around the cable and crank it. It has an Inrush setting so you can see the max at start too. Really nice. Not saying you necessarily need it now, but it is very hand to have.

Yeah, the inner primary should not read +12v. Sounds like the ground is missing. Disconnect the battery. Measure the resistance between the negative battery cable and the primary. Should be very low.
my bad battery negative was disconnected, and it’s reading 0.03 ohms(after factoring in the resistance of my leads)

I also am known to have a spending problem when it comes to my bikes and tools, needless to say I just got home from harbor freight and now I gotta learn how to use this thing
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 04:01 PM
  #137  
Zdollar's Avatar
Zdollar
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

It appears there’s a new problem now, something drained my battery down to 0.2 Volts overnight, and no the key was not in the bike
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 04:06 PM
  #138  
Zdollar's Avatar
Zdollar
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default


I also found this green wire everyone’s been talking about underneath some electrical tape
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 18, 2020 | 04:12 PM
  #139  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,450
Likes: 7,136
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

That could be your neutral indicator wire.
But one thing at a time.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2020 | 08:49 AM
  #140  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,234
Likes: 12,836
From: South Carolina
Default

I think post #120 tells us what we need to know.

Solenoid wire disconnected, start button pressed, relay clicks (normal)

Solenoid wire connected, start button pressed, bike power drops.

Defect in starter solenoid body or motor, or the battery has no poop.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:26 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE