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-   -   Bike won't start! (https://www.hdforums.com/forum/general-harley-davidson-chat/763567-bike-wont-start.html)

TXMaverick May 6, 2012 01:52 PM

Bike won't start!
 
So, got all set to take my mother-in-law for a little ride today and the bike won't start. Battery is fine, checked with a volt meter...spark plugs are all plugged in fine. When I hit the starter button it will just barely start to crank, and then it just clicks. Sounds like a bad battery to me...but I checked it and it has plenty of power, lights are all bright and shiny etc...

Anyone have any ideas?

wraplock May 6, 2012 02:26 PM

check to see that the cables at the battery terminals are tight.

TXMaverick May 6, 2012 02:44 PM

What I've done so far.
 
Taken battery terminals off, cleaned them and put them back. Pulled, cleaned and replaced spark plugs. Checked a couple of fuses, all good. Checked other easily accessible wires and plug-ins to make sure everything was tight. Everything seems to be okay. I can't tell exactly where the clicking is coming from, but it is very loud and if I put my hand on the primary/derby cover I can feel the vibration.

Not sure where to go from here.

EP50 May 6, 2012 02:54 PM

I'm quite certain mine wouldnt start in the presence of my mother in law either...

FroggyFatBoy May 6, 2012 02:55 PM

self preservation..

lo-rider May 6, 2012 03:18 PM


Originally Posted by TXMaverick (Post 9764464)
So, got all set to take my mother-in-law for a little ride today and the bike won't start. Battery is fine, checked with a volt meter...spark plugs are all plugged in fine. When I hit the starter button it will just barely start to crank, and then it just clicks. Sounds like a bad battery to me...but I checked it and it has plenty of power, lights are all bright and shiny etc...

Anyone have any ideas?

The spark plugs have nothing to do w/ this. Check all electrical mods, first. Have someone do a load test on the battery, not just a voltage check. Check all connections to the starter circuit. Otherwise your starter is bad.

Iceman24 May 6, 2012 03:41 PM

What reading did you get w/the volt meter? If it was less than 12.6V you're probably on the new battery bandwagon...lights aren't a good indicator...

nevil May 6, 2012 03:54 PM

did you check the battery cable at the ground?

chamokie May 6, 2012 04:36 PM

Look at head light when you hit the start button, If light goes really dim chances are your battery has gone belly up. Batteries can have 12 volts in them, but voltage does not turn your motor over amperes do.
Clicking usually indicates low volts/amps
Try jumping the bike with a known good battery, willing to bet she fires right up.

02DynaWG May 6, 2012 04:49 PM

I'm having the same problem and searching for answers all weekend. I'm about to take the battery to get tested and have checked all of my connections. I was able to jump it once so I was sure it was the battery but now I still get the clicking. Could it be the starter relay?


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