Won’t start
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Won’t start
97 FXDL - while riding it would cut off like it was running out of gas. Let it sit for a few minutes, it would start and run for a 1/2 mile. Got it home. Now get a click but no start. Charged the battery and the same. Direct wire from the battery to the solenoid will turn over but won’t fire.
Charged the battery (volts good) and let it sit. I day later after charging (and no attempts to start) and the battery is drained) and faint click on start. Battery is one year old.
Charged the battery (volts good) and let it sit. I day later after charging (and no attempts to start) and the battery is drained) and faint click on start. Battery is one year old.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,216
Likes: 6,129
From: Black Hills
Did you charge it while still in the bike ? Take it out, charge it and see if it holds a charge with nothing connected. If it fails to hold a charge, it points to the battery. Take it in and get it tested. If it does hold a charge, start looking at your electrical system. There's a very detailed sticky at the top of the section, go through it doing exactly what each step says to do and you should find your problem.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
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From: Colorado
97 FXDL - while riding it would cut off like it was running out of gas. Let it sit for a few minutes, it would start and run for a 1/2 mile. Got it home. Now get a click but no start. Charged the battery and the same. Direct wire from the battery to the solenoid will turn over but won’t fire.
Charged the battery (volts good) and let it sit. I day later after charging (and no attempts to start) and the battery is drained) and faint click on start. Battery is one year old.
Charged the battery (volts good) and let it sit. I day later after charging (and no attempts to start) and the battery is drained) and faint click on start. Battery is one year old.
Start with the ignition switch, and make sure that when you turn it off, no continuity through the switch, and when you have it on, have continuity through the switch.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,120
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From: Texas
Auto Z one will load test for free, also
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
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From: Decatur, Alabama
I took mine to an auto parts store and the guy said their tester would damage a bike battery.
carl
carl
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Still a click
New battery. Will start if and run if I jump positive to solenoid. Still just a click from the handle bar switch. I’m starting to chase it with a meter. Thx for your help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
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From: South Carolina
Check the voltage at the small (green) wire on the starter solenoid when the start button is pressed,
Note: do not unplug the wire from the solenoid, you want to test it under a load.
Note: do not unplug the wire from the solenoid, you want to test it under a load.