95 Heritage starting issue

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Sep 4, 2014 | 11:25 AM

MJHJEA

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1,471

Likes: 9

From: Toledo, Ohio

95 Heritage starting issue

Need your guys input on what my starting problem might be on my 95 Heritage Nostalgia. Off and on over the last couple months my electric start does absolutely nothing. Recycling the ignition switch (on console) off and on once or twice resolves the problem. However, yesterday when it happened again and the electric start started working, the bike would turn over but not start. I have an emergency button on my starter that I had installed at my last service at the Indy. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I tried starting it that way not knowing how the whole system links together....same thing, the bike would turn over but not start. I tried it again after about 15 minutes and the bike started normally using the electric start. Not once has my bike ever not started once it turns over. What do you guys think? I don't believe I flooded it nor has the bike ever showed symptoms of me doing so. This bike always starts. Are there contacts in the switch that fail, causing the bike to not have spark? Appreciate any input as always

Sep 4, 2014 | 11:36 AM

Fatboy1389

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 1,484

Likes: 272

From: Canton, GA

For the 'Recycling the ignition switch (on console) off and on once or twice resolves the problem', I would suggest cleaning the contacts on the back of the ignition switch - I had that problem last spring and some Deoxit Gold with dielectric grease solved the problem

Sep 12, 2014 | 08:52 AM

OLDFLSTN

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: One horse town

I've got the same bike and I'm troubleshooting a starting problem as well. I think mine is heat related though.

I'm about to replace the main circuit breaker on it.

Was your bike hot when this happened? Mine will run fine for a while, but if I stop and shut it off, I have to wait for it to cool down before it will start. Just like yours, the starter turns but the bike won't fire up.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think there is an ignition relay in the starting circuit. You may want to test that in your case.

Please keep us posted, especially when you figure it out. I may very well be chasing the same gremlin.

Last edited by OLDFLSTN; Sep 12, 2014 at 08:56 AM.

Sep 12, 2014 | 11:46 AM

Uncle G.

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 9,332

Likes: 3,873

From: Upstate New York

Yes, there is a relay in the starter circuit. On your bike (and mine), it's hiding under the seat, on the right side of the ignition module, underneath a plastic cover.

Sep 12, 2014 | 01:12 PM

Dan89FLSTC

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 21,173

Likes: 12,742

From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFLSTN

I'm not 100% sure, but I think there is an ignition relay in the starting circuit. You may want to test that in your case.

There is no ignition relay in the starting circuit.

There is a starter relay, but it has nothing to do with the ignition.

If the starter is cranking, the starter relay is doing its job.

Sep 13, 2014 | 10:35 AM

OLDFLSTN

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: One horse town

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC

There is no ignition relay in the starting circuit.

There is a starter relay, but it has nothing to do with the ignition.

If the starter is cranking, the starter relay is doing its job.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was going to try that next if replacing the main breaker and coil didn't help. My starter is cranking, so I guess I can rule that out.

Unfortunately, I was sold a used, corroded, rusted out coil! I have another one on order after returning the first one. I'll be stuck waiting at least a week.

I've been reading up on the main breaker, and it sounds like replacing it with a maxi-fuse may be the way to go if it still isn't fixed.

Last edited by OLDFLSTN; Sep 13, 2014 at 10:42 AM.

Sep 14, 2014 | 03:45 PM

nyokie

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 461

Likes: 8

From: western CT

Goto harleys website enter your vin# and make sure ignition switch recall was done. They actually replace the switch and add a relay in the system, realizing later it needed one. Save ya a few bucks, i had it done last for free at dealer