No Start
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 206
Likes: 306
From: Colorado
No Start
87' FLST
- Bike wouldn't start. Discovered one of the post on the solenoid was busted. Replaced solenoid and battery.
- Bike wouldn't start. I had the cables on the large studs on the solenoid reversed. Fixed that and it still won't start. Could that have damaged the solenoid or starter?
- I get a loud click when I press the start button. I get the same click by jumping the solenoid. I believe the solenoid is engaging but the engine doesn't turn over.
- Solenoid doesn't seem to be sitting straight. With mounting bolts only on the 1 side it's a little crooked. Not sure if that maters.
- I have a manual. I tested the solenoid for resistance and I believe I'm good. First time testing for resistance so I'm not 100% sure I did everything correct.
- Do I need to pull and test the starter? Starter is a little less than 2 years old.
Thanks
- Bike wouldn't start. Discovered one of the post on the solenoid was busted. Replaced solenoid and battery.
- Bike wouldn't start. I had the cables on the large studs on the solenoid reversed. Fixed that and it still won't start. Could that have damaged the solenoid or starter?
- I get a loud click when I press the start button. I get the same click by jumping the solenoid. I believe the solenoid is engaging but the engine doesn't turn over.
- Solenoid doesn't seem to be sitting straight. With mounting bolts only on the 1 side it's a little crooked. Not sure if that maters.
- I have a manual. I tested the solenoid for resistance and I believe I'm good. First time testing for resistance so I'm not 100% sure I did everything correct.
- Do I need to pull and test the starter? Starter is a little less than 2 years old.
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 206
Likes: 306
From: Colorado
I replaced the battery when I replaced the solenoid. It's good and hooked up to a trickle charger when I'm not working on it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 2,076
From: Masshole
Doesn't mean it's a good battery, you need to start by load testing it.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 206
Likes: 306
From: Colorado
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20,964
Likes: 19,058
From: The Wasteland
Check your cables as well. Years ago, I had a Super Glide acting up like you're talking about. Turns out the battery cable was broken inside the insulation. It took me a long time to figure that one out.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 9,900
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
Coupla quick thoughts from someone who is also running an older bike ( 85 FXRS in my case).
As pointed out already, never trust a New Battery to be exempt from issues. I learned that one the hard way. On our mature bikes all kind of wire/cable issues can arise and bite ya on the ***. Internal corrosion in the battery cables will weaken their ability to send sufficient power. If your87 still has the originals replace them. Just because if for no other reason. That solenoid Mount issue is troublesome in my mind. Mine goes on with a bolt on either side so gettin it square is easier to verify. That said though.. it can be difficult. You should revisit that issue. Nobody likes to pull the primary cover off our bikes but to really see whats going on it may be necessary to do that in order to see if the starter clutch is fully engaging the flywheel, but not rotating it as required. Then of course, theres the starter relay. Hard to imagine it just crapped out coincidentally but who knows at this point. FWIW: Sounds like youre getting the click but lacking voltage.
As pointed out already, never trust a New Battery to be exempt from issues. I learned that one the hard way. On our mature bikes all kind of wire/cable issues can arise and bite ya on the ***. Internal corrosion in the battery cables will weaken their ability to send sufficient power. If your87 still has the originals replace them. Just because if for no other reason. That solenoid Mount issue is troublesome in my mind. Mine goes on with a bolt on either side so gettin it square is easier to verify. That said though.. it can be difficult. You should revisit that issue. Nobody likes to pull the primary cover off our bikes but to really see whats going on it may be necessary to do that in order to see if the starter clutch is fully engaging the flywheel, but not rotating it as required. Then of course, theres the starter relay. Hard to imagine it just crapped out coincidentally but who knows at this point. FWIW: Sounds like youre getting the click but lacking voltage.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 232
Likes: 166
From: Brooklyn
Cables
Coupla quick thoughts from someone who is also running an older bike ( 85 FXRS in my case).
As pointed out already, never trust a New Battery to be exempt from issues. I learned that one the hard way. On our mature bikes all kind of wire/cable issues can arise and bite ya on the ***. Internal corrosion in the battery cables will weaken their ability to send sufficient power. If your87 still has the originals replace them. Just because if for no other reason. That solenoid Mount issue is troublesome in my mind. Mine goes on with a bolt on either side so gettin it square is easier to verify. That said though.. it can be difficult. You should revisit that issue. Nobody likes to pull the primary cover off our bikes but to really see whats going on it may be necessary to do that in order to see if the starter clutch is fully engaging the flywheel, but not rotating it as required. Then of course, theres the starter relay. Hard to imagine it just crapped out coincidentally but who knows at this point. FWIW: Sounds like youre getting the click but lacking voltage.
As pointed out already, never trust a New Battery to be exempt from issues. I learned that one the hard way. On our mature bikes all kind of wire/cable issues can arise and bite ya on the ***. Internal corrosion in the battery cables will weaken their ability to send sufficient power. If your87 still has the originals replace them. Just because if for no other reason. That solenoid Mount issue is troublesome in my mind. Mine goes on with a bolt on either side so gettin it square is easier to verify. That said though.. it can be difficult. You should revisit that issue. Nobody likes to pull the primary cover off our bikes but to really see whats going on it may be necessary to do that in order to see if the starter clutch is fully engaging the flywheel, but not rotating it as required. Then of course, theres the starter relay. Hard to imagine it just crapped out coincidentally but who knows at this point. FWIW: Sounds like youre getting the click but lacking voltage.