General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

electric starter problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2009 | 08:51 AM
  #11  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by kokopelli372
I've got a 1978 FXE. When I push the electric starter switch, it clicks and sometimes it cranks on the first push, sometimes on the 30th and sometimes not at all. It has a new battery, solenoid and relay. Any suggestions?

Thanks
I don't have a wiring diagram for that model, but with some later models, the power to the solenoid came from/thru the ignition switch. I'm not talking the power to activate the relay, but the hot side that goes thru the relay and to the solenoid when activated. On some bikes that power was hot wired from battery - you could actually jump the relay and engage the starter without anything being switched on.

So if you can back-trace the "big" wire going into the relay, either with a diagram or ohm meter, I think you'll have a better chance of finding the weak link in the circuit.

89 years and still riding an FX... my hat's off to you sir.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
firefour
Softail Models
11
Jan 31, 2017 02:11 PM
rcscott
Touring Models
2
Sep 1, 2013 09:04 AM
Jack Russell
Dyna Glide Models
8
May 8, 2013 07:24 PM
arizonapete
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
1
May 24, 2011 03:13 PM
Burzum
Sportster Models
17
Jul 16, 2009 10:30 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:34 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE