Problem Starting 09 Softail
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Stage III
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3
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From: Minneapolis
Problem Starting 09 Softail
So this started out with my either leaving the ignition on, or bumping it "on" somehow, but a week later, I found the bike stone cold dead.
I tried jumping it off the truck like I had done once before after a particularly long stretch of winter. Before, the jump gave LOTS of power to the Softail starter. This time, while it lit up the lights and fuel pump, I couldn't get it to crank fast enough to start.
I tried the trickle charger, but it won't connect unless there is some voltage in the battery, and there was zero.
I tried jumping again, this time with the truck throttle at about 2500 rpm. The bike just barely caught and started, and I fried the handle insulation off the jumper cables. Yikes!
Now the odd part. I went to take the jumper cables off, and with the removal of the first cable, the bike stopped, lights off, dead again.
I am wondering if the battery is somehow shorted out, because I would have thought the bike's electrical system would have kept it running. Unless of course I toasted that, too.
Before I tinker further, any thoughts?
I tried jumping it off the truck like I had done once before after a particularly long stretch of winter. Before, the jump gave LOTS of power to the Softail starter. This time, while it lit up the lights and fuel pump, I couldn't get it to crank fast enough to start.
I tried the trickle charger, but it won't connect unless there is some voltage in the battery, and there was zero.
I tried jumping again, this time with the truck throttle at about 2500 rpm. The bike just barely caught and started, and I fried the handle insulation off the jumper cables. Yikes!
Now the odd part. I went to take the jumper cables off, and with the removal of the first cable, the bike stopped, lights off, dead again.
I am wondering if the battery is somehow shorted out, because I would have thought the bike's electrical system would have kept it running. Unless of course I toasted that, too.
Before I tinker further, any thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Whenever you jump start from a car or truck it should not be running, much less at 2500 rpm. I wouldn't be surprised if you cooked some parts. The electrical systems on the bike are not made on the scale of cages. IMO you're past an easy fix, the bike should probably be looked at in a shop.
Last edited by nevil; May 31, 2013 at 09:04 PM.
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Stage III
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
Ugh.
Oh well, what's a few hundred $$$ among friends!
I will only say that the huge drain was already present when first starting with the truck at idle. Ground, short?
Thanks for the input.
I will only say that the huge drain was already present when first starting with the truck at idle. Ground, short?
Thanks for the input.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: 3rd Rock
I'd start with a new battery, then if it does not start replace the starter relay and fuel pump relays. If you don't see any burnt wires I doubt you hurt anything that's gonna cost more than the battery.
Last edited by Squirrel67; Jun 1, 2013 at 12:39 AM.
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