Wideglide won't start- HELP!

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Sep 21, 2005 | 05:49 PM

HeatherC

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From: Fortville, IN

Wideglide won't start- HELP!

I need help. My husband's bike won't start. He was riding it all day and it was fine. He pulled into the bank, shut it off and when he went to fire it up it was dead. No lights...nothing. He assummed it was the battery so he removed the batttery and metered it when he got home. The battery metered at 13.24 volts so it does not appear to be the battery. This happened a few months ago and we replaced the battery and it was fine. But the battery now appears to have a charge. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:03 PM

Ice

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From: Nashville TN

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

This sounds like a bad wire,or a short.You said this happened a while back,and when you installed a new battery it was fixed.Question--I would assume you tested the old battery correct ? What was the voltage reading ? This does not sound like a battery problem.Follow all the wires from the battery and see if they don't have any cuts (shorts)in them,and make sure all the connections are clean and tight.Hopefully this turns out to be something simple and inexpensive for you two.Keep us updated--I also own a wideglide.Hope I was able to help.

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:09 PM

HeatherC

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From: Fortville, IN

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

Yes, it happened a few months ago. He shut off his bike and it wouldn't start. Only difference is that time he had some lights but they jsut kept dimming until they didn't work either. If I remember correctly that battery was 6 years old and had no charge left. This time same situation...turned off bike and wouldn't turn back on but now the battery appears fine.

He is loading it up in the truck to bring it home and check wires. I am really hoping it's nothing major.

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:23 PM

Ice

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From: Nashville TN

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

This still sounds like a bad wire.This very thing has happened to me on our atv's---more than once.99.9% of the time it has been a bad ground,loose connection,or dirty connections.Baking soda does wonders for cleaning the connections and battery posts..Hopefully your hubbie will figure it out in short order,and get back in the saddle.I am actually going to the garage to look at a couple things on my bike after this post--If I think of anything else--I'll shout at ya.

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:44 PM

oldgeezer

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From: Midland, TX

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

Not the tampon thing again is it?

Just kiddin', Jon's right, before I started replacing anything, I would clean and tighten all the connections. Sometimes the connections oxidize and will inhibit current travel.

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:47 PM

HeatherC

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From: Fortville, IN

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

No tampons this time...but I am beginning to think that bike is cursed!

Sep 21, 2005 | 06:49 PM

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From:

RE: Wideglide won't start- HELP!

Heather

I would first check the main breaker, then the ignition switch wire connectors on the back, and then the battery connections for cleanliness and tightness. Also check BOTH ends of the battery cables and if that fails, you can jump it from the battery to the small terminal on the starter solenoid to see if it cranks up.
I really would suspect the other(lower) ends of the battery cables being it made a difference when they were moved when you changed the battery last time.