Bad Starter or Solenoid needs rebuilt !
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 146
Likes: 31
From: Mo.
Bad Starter or Solenoid needs rebuilt !
1998 FLSTF Last week wanted to go for a ride, went to hit the button all it would do was sound like a machine gun coming from the starter area now mind you the battery is only 3 years old an kept in a garage on the on the battery tender when not in use. The first thing I did was check the battery and make sure it had a full charge and it did so I did a proper load test and all was well. The next step was to run a good check on all electrical cables clean all with sandpaper to make sure of a good connection an they were all good and put back on with a good dose of electric grease. Now still counting on the starter not being bad I replaced the starter relay an that didnt help had a new one on hand so I thought what the hell. Then I checked the fuse panel for a faulty fuse nope all good. so then I went to the 30 amp breaker on the backside of the splash panel an noticed it was cracked Great I thought replaced it but no luck not it either. last I tried rolling in gear thinking something just might be hung up nope that didnt help either. So I guess its time to take the starter off and do the test an rebuild as needed. If ive missed anything here feel free to chime in im open to all replies Thanks an sorry for the long story but thats the way it was an im sticking to my story !
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Before you go through all the work rebuilding the solenoid you might try pulling off the cover removing the plunger and using some emery cloth on the brass contacts.
You can do this without removing the starter from the bike.
You can do this without removing the starter from the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
You can rebuild the solenoid while the starter is still installed.
Your local starter/alternator shop will have all the parts for that starter, at a fraction of HD dealer cost.
Your local starter/alternator shop will have all the parts for that starter, at a fraction of HD dealer cost.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Three years may not seem like it, but it's a long time for a Softail battery in my experience. They are subject to a lot of vibration and heat from the oil tank they sit inside. At the age of yours, they can go at any time, with little or no warning-even if you use a battery tender. Have the battery load tested while you're at it. Replace it if there's any doubt.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Three years may not seem like it, but it's a long time for a Softail battery in my experience. They are subject to a lot of vibration and heat from the oil tank they sit inside. At the age of yours, they can go at any time, with little or no warning-even if you use a battery tender. Have the battery load tested while you're at it. Replace it if there's any doubt.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Three years may not seem like it, but it's a long time for a Softail battery in my experience. They are subject to a lot of vibration and heat from the oil tank they sit inside. At the age of yours, they can go at any time, with little or no warning-even if you use a battery tender. Have the battery load tested while you're at it. Replace it if there's any doubt.
Don`t check it, chuck it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 29
From: Niceville
Three years is old for a motorcycle battery. I've had $200 dollar batteries that last less than a year, and $80 batteries that lasted three three years. Living in Illinois, I imagine you have some pretty extreme weather between the freeing temps and blistering summers. Batteries do not like either whether it is on a tender or not.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
The location of the battery (inside the oil tank, surrounded by 200 degree oil on three sides) all but guarantees that the Softail battery will be "cooked" in a relatively short time compared to other applications.