Hi
New here, was looking around for a solution to this but didn't find anything so here it is..
99 Softail.. Had a hard time starting and thought it was the battery, replaced it and the same problem. Then thought it was the starter and replaced that. Still the same problem.
When I go to start it, it cranks over 4 or 5 times then stops. When I hit the button again, I here the clicking but it's like the starter is not engaging in correctly. I pulled out my meter and the battery reads 12.8v When I crank it drops to 4v and it goes up and down as it's clicking, not cranking. The cables seem to get hot as well.

I also replaced the Pos & Neg cables.. Replaced the 30amp Circuit breaker mounted on the inside rear fender. Not sure where to go next. When it was running, it was charging at 12+ at idle and 14+v at 2500 rpm. I have no accessories hooked up at this time, just the battery cables.


Can someone lead me in the right direction to get this fixed? I did get it to start once or twice but now it's just the clicking. Can there be a short somewhere?
Thanks in advance for any help..

Danny

Also wanted to add, I did check the starter relay and it was 0 so that's ok..

 

Your new battery might not be up to snuff With good jumper cables jump a good car bat accross the bike battery and see if the starter engages and starts the bike Did you charge the new bat say 1.5 amps for 12 + hours ?

 

That is your problem...should never drop below 8 while cranking. I would take you "new" battery back and have them check it.

 

If the battery checks OK, I'd put a fresh charge in it and get the bike to start. Then with a voltmeter, measure across the battery while slightly increasing the idle. If you arent in the neighborhood of 14volts, you probably have a charging system issue. Most likely voltage reg, stator (or both!) - or just a crappy ground. Good luck!

 

Thanks guys for the replies..
I exchanged the battery for another one just to be sure. And it turns out after I pulled the Primary cover off again, the new starter was getting stuck out. That's why it dropped to 4v.. I reinstalled the old starter and it worked again. So I guess I got a bum battery to begin with and put out $150 for a starter that I didn't need. Thanks for the help..
Ride Safe..

 

The perfect storm of aggrivation!

Glad to hear you are back in business - a little lighter in the wallet tho. You will forget about that after a nice long ride on a beautiful weekend day! If your name suggests that you are in NY, today is NOT one of those days - the chill has returned!!

I'm just north of NYC.

Good luck!