When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I dealt with that dreaded click for 6 months before finally installing the extra relay under the seat. Never had a minutes trouble since then. You can buy the relay at autozone. Several people on here have posted detailed instructions on hooking it up. It's simple. Do a search on this site under the name "Galtjunk". I remember him posting detailed instructions on the relay, along with several other people, Dr. Hess included. The relay from autozone is only about 6 dollars. Takes about 30 minutes to hook it up. Before I wired the relay, I had installed a new solenoid, battery, triple checked all the connections, installed a push button solenoid, and was getting ready to buy a new starter when I finally decided to try adding the relay under the seat. That's what fixed it.
DR Hess I could be wrong but I could have swore I was watching a Youtube vid the other day on testing batteries and he had said anything about 9.something volts when the starter was pushed was a good battery, I tried this on mine with a volt meter on my battery and sure enough it blipped down just above 9.somthing volts and my bike starts np.
Texas you may have to give a good overnite charge with a 4amp charger and that will give the starter a good hit. Although a 2amp overnite will give a good longeveity charge. By the way when I did Dr Hess's dreaded click relay fix I copied a pic of my setup in my album. I kept the old relay and just parellel wired in the second relay. I also rewired so I could shut my lites off for starting. Also all the suggestions the guys made have to be done too. A good starting bike is a must.
If you're just getting a click and not spinning the starter, then 10V is going to be low, as the only load on that should be solenoid, which I think is about 10 amps, if I recall. The battery should not drop to 10V with a 10 amp draw, I don't think. Anyway, I think it's borderline and almost time to replace it anyway.
I have more comments further down in the thread linked to above. We really need to book mark that one and the How To Diagnose Your Electrical System one. Really needs a sticky.
DR Hess I could be wrong but I could have swore I was watching a Youtube vid the other day on testing batteries and he had said anything about 9.something volts when the starter was pushed was a good battery, I tried this on mine with a volt meter on my battery and sure enough it blipped down just above 9.somthing volts and my bike starts np.
Texas you may have to give a good overnite charge with a 4amp charger and that will give the starter a good hit. Although a 2amp overnite will give a good longeveity charge. By the way when I did Dr Hess's dreaded click relay fix I copied a pic of my setup in my album. I kept the old relay and just parellel wired in the second relay. I also rewired so I could shut my lites off for starting. Also all the suggestions the guys made have to be done too. A good starting bike is a must.
Thanks for the picture that will help me a lot.
Where did you get the wiring directions to change the wiring on your ignition switch?
If you're just getting a click and not spinning the starter, then 10V is going to be low, as the only load on that should be solenoid, which I think is about 10 amps, if I recall. The battery should not drop to 10V with a 10 amp draw, I don't think. Anyway, I think it's borderline and almost time to replace it anyway.
I have more comments further down in the thread linked to above. We really need to book mark that one and the How To Diagnose Your Electrical System one. Really needs a sticky.
I previously copied How To Diagnose Your Electrical System to a word document. It is great information. That is part of the reason I was kicking myself in the *** for not doing it for your adding a relay guide.
I have a new battery trickle charging right now and will install it in the morning. I will also look at adding a relay while I am in there.
Tex, try this first. Remove seat, put bike in neutral, and press start button. When relay under seat clicks tap it with a hammer (while holding start button. If she cranks, it's the relay.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.