Hi, and before anyone asks, I have read the above sticky.......

Since my '95 Fatboy came out of its Winter hibernation, i've been having the starter motor problems everyone hates. It was starting on about the third or fourth pressing of the button, but it's very intermittant now.

Things I've done:

Fitted a starter button to the solenoid and cleaned the contacts at the sam time. (best thing I did as I can easily start the bike)

As cheap, replaced the relay.

The battery was a bit of an unknown item as it was fitted before I bought the bike 3 years ago, so that' been replaced too. Cleaned all contacts on it and to the frame at the same time.

The symptoms now are that when I press the starter button when the bike is cold, nothing happens except the igntion/oil lights all dim. When the bike is hot, the bike starts with the button on about the third pressing.

The bike always starts from the solenoid button fitted.

Now, before I start messing with the standard wiring loom, could it be the solenoid itself not working properly, or is it definately the wiring somewhere?

 

Got the same thing going on with my '94 Heritage. Pretty sure it's "The Dreaded Click", and it needs a second solenoid run for the starter circuit. I'm putting it off until the winter since the button on the starter is working well for now.

 

I had the similar issues with my wife's 1200 sporty. I fooled with it, got stuck a couple of times and eventually threw in the towel and put a new (used) starter on it. Works awesome now.

 

I think you can just add the fused wire.
What you are describing is about what I went through before I did and nothing worked for long.

I haven't had a problem since I added the wire.

 

Softails just need the fused wire, not the second relay.

 

Wait... What? I've read the Dreaded Click sticky like 5 times. Don't remember reading anything about a simple fused wire. If that's all I need, I'll do it this weekend!

 

Obviously you didn't read it closely enough.

For the fused wire fix you need a fused wire (20 amp) and run it from the positive battery post to pin 30 on the starter relay.

Make sure to tape off old wire so you don't have grounding issues.

 

D'oh! Thanks THC... Clearly I did not. Just re-read the thread again, and must have completely glossed over that paragraph every time! I need to do this. Like, yesterday.

 

take a good look at the ignition switch and if corroded, use DeOxit with fiberglass brush to clean it and dielectric grease to lube it ..... my 95 Fatboy was filthy and after servicing the switch it starts every time, the lights are brighter and it charges as it should .... no dreaded click!

 

Be aware that while the fused wire will solve the dreaded click 95% of the time it won't always fix it.

On rare occasions there is something else going on.