Dreaded click question
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Pocatello
My battery side connection on the solenoid was wore away .020".....over 15 years! Lots of what I would call copper dust was in there too. I'm doing all three things recommended by this thread: 1.) rebuild solenoid 2.) add pushbutton to solenoid cover 3.) add parallel starter relay. The other thing I'm going to do is lightly cover all connections with dialectic grease...I did find the connector to the starter had some oxidation.
Easy winter projects that will bring much peace of mind this summer!
Easy winter projects that will bring much peace of mind this summer!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
I added the pushbutton solenoid cover to mine, and also installed the extra relay under the seat that allows all the juice to go directly to the starter from the battery. That was the ticket. Haven't had any more clicking problems since.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
After installing a new starter & relay , alternator , regulater , battery It would still click 1 or 2 times before it would start. I was at the dealer one day and they had a sale on the ignition switch {$20} what the heck, so went home and changed it out.
Problem fixed, the old switch contacts did look a little burnt, and could have cleaned them, but the new switch came with 2 keys and the cost for a extra key for the old ignition, well any way, Ignition switches do go bad.
Problem fixed, the old switch contacts did look a little burnt, and could have cleaned them, but the new switch came with 2 keys and the cost for a extra key for the old ignition, well any way, Ignition switches do go bad.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Denver, NC
Mines an 85 FXWG, new Big Boar battery, new high torque starter, new solenoid, new starter gear on jackshaft. The solenoid will clik loud, like its pulling the forks, the starter will spin the jackshaft, but rarely will the gear on the jackshaft make contact with the ring gear. Im trying to find an old outer primary to make a cut away thats just enough to bolt to the top 3 bolts on the inner primary. That way, I can see what its doing. I can feel the solenoid working, hear the gear spin, but its just not making contact with the ring gear. I imagine this could be the shift fork is bent, or something. Ive put entirely new clutch basket with ring gear, hub, new bearing, new clutches, new solenoid, everything in the primary is new except those forks. I couldnt get the screw out. IFFFFF I have to replace them, can I cut that screw/bolt in half and get the old one out? Does it screw into the fork or the bottom of the inner primary, I figure primary. Ring gear is same as one the on the old shell the HD place broke and replaced pressing the hub and the bearing out, same number of teeth. Was doing the same thing before I started replacing things in the inner primary, but would start by push button more often. If it catches, it only spins maybe half a turn if that and fires the bike up. The kick start is new, rebuilt it, so it works fine, but all yall old school bikers know sometimes they have a mind of their own, especially when it gets hot outside, seems they like to see you work up a sweat sometimes.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
WOW! Great info here. Looks like I have some work to do.
Kinda bringing back the dead here, I know, but I notice that my '95 Badboy has this issue since I bought it and had a question...
I ride in the rain. How much more problematic is that to the "click-of-death" or any other switches for that matter? Are there some more vulnerable areas I should be aware of?
Kinda bringing back the dead here, I know, but I notice that my '95 Badboy has this issue since I bought it and had a question...
I ride in the rain. How much more problematic is that to the "click-of-death" or any other switches for that matter? Are there some more vulnerable areas I should be aware of?
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: lloydminster SK Canada
I had the click of death in the last 2 years. First time I just replaced the 5 pin relay and worked right away. Put on only 300 miles after that, parked for winter, and this spring it quit again. This last time I redid a bunch of "questionable wiring" under the seat with no success, changed out the relay and instant success. I just carry a spare relay with me at all times.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I'm glad it's working out for other people.
I just had the dreaded nothing. Not even a click. Charged up the 2 year old $150 HD glass mat battery and got up to the dreaded buzzz - whir - buzzz. So much for expensive HD glass mat batteries for me. Replaced it with a $50 Wally World conventional lead-acid with a vent tube battery and I'm good to go.
I just had the dreaded nothing. Not even a click. Charged up the 2 year old $150 HD glass mat battery and got up to the dreaded buzzz - whir - buzzz. So much for expensive HD glass mat batteries for me. Replaced it with a $50 Wally World conventional lead-acid with a vent tube battery and I'm good to go.