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Oct 29, 2021 | 08:00 PM

largeswine

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1st Gear

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 5

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Starting issues

Working on a 1990 flht. Pit a new battery on, hit the button, turned over bout 4 times really good. Then heard a bang around the starter clutch area. Now it only clicks the top relay by the oil bag on right side when I hit the starter button. Thoughts?

Oct 29, 2021 | 09:11 PM

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,143

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From: South Carolina

What is the voltage across the battery posts (not the cable terminals), with ignition switch off, and with ignition switch on?

Oct 29, 2021 | 09:32 PM

largeswine

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 5

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Will check, you thinking bad battery? Lights look weak but were bright before the starter clutch made its "noise"

Oct 30, 2021 | 01:02 PM

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,143

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From: South Carolina

I don`t assume anything when troubleshooting, I just go through the steps and the problem will show itself.

Oct 30, 2021 | 01:09 PM

t150vej

HDF Community Team

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: NC USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

I don`t assume anything when troubleshooting, I just go through the steps and the problem will show itself.

That's how it's done.

And never overlook or discount even the most basic things when troubleshooting, because they are most often the culprit...

Oct 30, 2021 | 04:34 PM

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,143

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From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by t150vej

That's how it's done.

And never overlook or discount even the most basic things when troubleshooting, because they are most often the culprit...

Also, don`t bypass a step because the part is new.....that one is a killer.

Oct 31, 2021 | 12:05 AM

PeterB

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2021

Posts: 759

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From: Under the affluence of incahol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

Also, don`t bypass a step because the part is new.....that one is a killer.

Especially in this day and age of finest Chinese quality control. Very easy to get burned by new parts.
And eliminate the simple stuff first. Don't assume that because you have a big problem, the cause must be something big. Sometimes you luck out and it is the simple stuff.
So check the battery voltage, the cables and the relay before digging into that solenoid area where the bang came from.