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.

intermittant starting problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 08:10 AM
  #1  
ranger007's Avatar
ranger007
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default intermittant starting problem

New to the forum, this is my first post and boy do I need your help as the dealerships cannot find the problem. I have a 2005 883 low sporty, stock motor and starter. My problem is sometimes my bike won't start but I have all electrical functions including lights, power and ground. When I try to start the bike I get a click to the solenoid. Thats all, one click. When I move the bike in neutral backwards a few feet then it will start. Battery output is 12.6-13.1, so it is charging. If anyone can give me suggestions please, it will be greatly appreciated, cause this problem is driving me absolutely insane.
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 08:16 AM
  #2  
DR. V-TWIN's Avatar
DR. V-TWIN
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Welcome. It sounds like loose battery cables to me. The wife has the same bike and I have experienced this as well. Also check the ground for the battery cable.
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 08:47 AM
  #3  
ranger007's Avatar
ranger007
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

I already checked all cables and they seemed good. I put dielectric grease around all connections. Question: could it be battery being so low that charging system couldn't recharge enough to allow it to start all the time? I charged the battery overnight and now it starts fine. I have an aftermarket light indicator showing battery and charging system operating normal, also metered out battery and it showed good. 13.5 amps.
thanks in advance.
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 11:12 AM
  #4  
legacycycles's Avatar
legacycycles
Oops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Pantego,NC.
Default

Its hard to diagnose elect problems without being there with the bike when it happens,but if all connections are good and the battery is good,try a starter relay,itll be the cheapest thing to try,If it continues pull the starter off and try cleaning the brushes and while it is off clean the solenoid contacts also.Also with the bike being rubber mounted make sure you have a good ground from the battery to engine and then a good ground from the engine to the frame.
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 11:20 AM
  #5  
jimsflh's Avatar
jimsflh
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Default

Checked BOTH ends of battery cables? Could be your solonoid, or relay starting to go too.
 
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 05:15 PM
  #6  
ranger007's Avatar
ranger007
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks to all that have helped me in my time of desperate need.. I wll try all the options that you have given me to try. It sure is nice to know that there are people out there that are willing to take time out of their busy day and go that extra mile to help another fellow rider. THANKS Ranger 007
 
Old Jan 23, 2010 | 08:26 AM
  #7  
ranger007's Avatar
ranger007
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks to all who have helped me with my starter problems. I finally got the craps of it all. I took the primary cover off, ripped out the starter, bench tested it, and found a big old flat spot on the armature. What a relief to find that although expensive. I just look at it this way. Working on the bike will keep me out of the wife' s hair and give me something to do over the winter months. And the look on the wife's face when she realized that I can really fix something. ((((( PRICELESS!!))))) The only question I have now is? ((( WHAT THE HE#$ IS NEXT))) lmao.. Thanks all for your help. ( Bob in Pa.)
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nitro Joe
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
2
May 4, 2018 04:25 AM
Ryan_1200
Sportster Models
8
Dec 22, 2016 09:30 PM
Vic Bronco
Softail Models
2
Sep 21, 2013 12:07 AM
SportyPig
Sportster Models
13
Jun 4, 2010 06:02 PM
Night_Train01
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
13
Aug 27, 2006 10:13 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:55 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