80 FXE starting issue

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Mar 6, 2016 | 09:21 AM

Mack1340

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: United States

80 FXE starting issue

So... I have a 1980 FXE 1340 that I'm having some issues with the electric start. I honestly don't have a clue and this is my first bike that I'm attempting to fix so please bare with me. I'll describe the problems to the best of my knowledge.

When using the electric start, the starter engages but it seems like it "binds" up and then all the power cuts off to everything else. When it does this I've check it all the connections and points with a multi-meter and the volts are nearly zero, even with a fully charged battery. Sometimes it will "unbind" and the power returns but most of time I have to disconnect the battery or the cables began to get warm(which is another questions, why would that happen?)
Occasionally if the binding frees up on its own, it will slooowly turn the engine over but only after like 10 seconds of sitting there with no power.
I've noticed that when I connect/reconnect the battery the starter will engage for a split second without me pressing the electric start and even with the ignition in the off position???

I've cleaned all the connections, swapped the starter relay and fuses. I checked all the wires from the starter-solenoid-relay-battery, nothing out of the normal. The starter solenoid and battery are new but I'm not sure about the starter itself. I just got the bike and I'm not sure what's been done to it internally. I can start with the kick start when its not being temperamental....

Any help would be great!

Thanks.

Mar 6, 2016 | 11:09 AM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Welcome to HDF. I suggest you visit the Classics Shovel section, where you should find our shovel experts. Hopefully they will help you get on the road again.